mrshaft696

I've seen allot of that, sitting around trying to figure out if the arb is working, why one tire is still spinning, compressor is screwy, air line problem etc etc.

bryweb

Taking Snow and weather out of the picture, and just pure Four Wheeling, this was a real interesting commentary from John Currie and what he runs in his rig (Detroit up front, and an E-locker select-able in back) . I was kind of curious since money is not an object for him why he did not go select-able front and rear, my best guess is the Detroit is more reliable.

Sorry could not find video on youtube, but here is the Facebook link.

nolanbalzarini

why would he not just do elockers at both ends. it makes more sense to have the detroit up front on his because he got hubs. but still, why not both elockers?

lankyalien

Hi there, though I've only just begun using Jeeps (previously owned over 10 land rovers, range rovers etc) I ran a range rover with locker in the rear and limited slip in the front. If fitting a front locker would definitely make it an air locker otherwise the steering is ruined for a daily runner

Desertfox1023

Reliability of the Elocker most likely

lankyalien

For daily running your front wheels turn at different speeds more of the time and if a auto locker suddenly actuated it can make handling unpredictable (personally experienced) which isn't advisable as an everyday commuter etc, just on safety grounds. With this setup I rarely got stuck, sometimes out performing less experienced drivers who had air lockers, plus it handled really well on the paved roads as well.

SeriousOffroad

Nope.
There is no torque applied without the transfer case engaged. Therefore any auto locker
Is invisible when in 2wd.

Fred/N0AZZ

^x2^

lankyalien

Agreed, just hope it doesn't snow when driving on paved roads otherwise it might not get round corners when 4wd is engaged and might not have fantastic traction in 2wd. Just a thought

Fred/N0AZZ

I have full case Detroit Lockers in both and run on paved roads a lot in snow and ice with the rear auto locker I seldom need 4wd on paved roads except for very deep drifts and snow. I have no real issues at all but my wife prefers to drive our 04 WJ Overland with limited slip in the D30 & D44 because its in 4wd all the time she does nothing. Well a few times I had her to place it in 4L to bust a few 3-4' drifts going to town when she called me.


The front locker in the XJ is NEVER noticed in 2wd ever and a vast improvement over an open or limited slip differential for sure.


Over the years I've noticed that many people have no idea how to drive on snow or ice, I made a living off of those people for years and still see them everywhere.

nolanbalzarini

if someone was truly worried about reliability they would not be running anything selectable. if you are gonna be worried about street or 4x4 manners put the detroit in the back and elocker in the front. especially on a xj. best thing is, a guy can make a detroit the literal first mod if his jeep has the 8.25 and it will stay and grow with the jeep. through gear ratio changes. a front locker gets tossed when you go to deeper gears.

bryweb

Fred,

1. What axles are you running those Detroits in Dana 30HP / Chrysler 8.25?
   
2. Do you notice a big issue with turning and the Detroit up front?
   
3. What size tires are you running?

Right now I am welded in the Back (axle came that way - just spiders welded) and been debating between Lokka in back or a Detroit. And I bought a Lokka for the front for now I am installing along with 4.56 gears up front (Dana 30HP / Chysler8.25), I am on stock axles shafts and 4.56 gears, and 35's 315/10.50/17's Treadwrights. This is a 90% trail rig but I have not had it out of the garage yet (just finishing up 2x4 to 4x4 conversion , with frame stiffeners, IRO Long Arms, Shackle relocators etc) Trying to decide my next step after on the road, Either building an extra set of 30HP/8.25 axles I have with alloy shafts, truss, Detroits, and go 4.88 or stay with the stronger 4.56 (and give my daughter my current axles), or upgrade axles (Dana 44/60 & 14bolt) . I think the largest I want to go is 37's but I am a heavy right foot and although it is mostly mud where I live I would like to start traveling to some off road parks with some rock climbing.

Fred/N0AZZ

I'm running stock axles none broken so far but I do carry spares D30/29 spline 8.25.
Only turning issues are when I have to do a 3 point turn around then I usually go into 2wd or just go with the hard turning if in a bad place.
I run 33" tires most of the time but when I trailer it to a few trails I run 35's on beadlocks down to 5-8psi.


I choose my lines carefully and go easy on the skinny peddle so as not to beat it to death because of a few weak links.

bryweb

Sorry for all the questions, my last two.

1. What type of wheeling do you do, any rock climbing?
   
2. What gear ratio do you have?

Really appreciate all the input, I have seriously thought of running Detroit's front and rear.


Thanks !!!

s346k

my open front dif drives like it's locked in the snow most of the time anyhow. I've been considering a factory posi unit (if I can find one that's not $1 mil) and a lunchbox up front. the only time I use 4wd is in the snow and maybe once/twice a year otherwise.