90_cherokee

I've followed lots of locker threads,and something really has me puzzled. I haven't ever seen someone say they have the same brand locker in the front and rear.

It's always "I have a brand X locker up front,and a brand Z locker in the rear.

Why is this? Is it because some brand lockers work better in the front or rear.

OR...Is it because certain companies only make lockers for the front OR back...and not both.

Is there any advantage or disadvantage to running different brand lockers front and rear vs running the same brand front and rear?

clayton3854

full time vs selectable.

Gorillaxj

Some axles have limited locker manufacturers, ive heard people talk about how the 8.25 has limited options. I have a spartan rear, lock-right up front. picked up the lock-right new for 75$ off someone who decided to go selectable last minute. some $$ is a factor too.

ct67_72

mine are the same front and rear. Does that make you feel better?
J/K. most of the time, like said above, its availability, or the use of a selectable up front and automatic in the rear.
The vehicle doesnt care whats in it. you can run whatever mismatch you want.

clayton3854

interesting you say selectable up front and auto in the rear.. everything iv heard and read suggests the opposite. may you explain why youd rather selectable up front and auto in the rear?

ClaytonXJ

You want a selectable or not very aggressive locker in the front because it does not have hubs. Even when not in 4wd everything in the front end is turning which will make turning on pavement a ***** if the front is locked, even in 2wd. A selectable (ARB, OX, electric, etc.) is best for the front because you can drive with an open diff all the time for easiest turning but you can still lock it solid when you need to. I have a limited slip in the front which turns like an open diff but uses clutches to attempt to send power to both wheels when traction is lost. It's much better than open but doesn't always work. I like welded or a spool in the rear, dirt cheap and 100% affective.

89eliminator

i have never heard that in my life.

Hoooper

not true at all. If you have a spool or welded front then yes, but if its an auto-locker this statement is completely false

Slick761

I always liked the tru trac up front. Seems that lots of people have no issues with a lock rite or Aussie up front.

Hoooper

Im a fairly big fan of my spartan up front, even in the snow. Only way it would be better would be if it was a no-slip

clayton3854

thats what my understanding was..

ct67_72

mine linkes to push in the snow trying to corner. you need to throttle throught he corners sometimes to actually steer.
in 2 wd you would never know that it was there.
Id much rather have a selectable up front, easier to turn in 4x4. and no pushing in the snow.
and I have never ehard anyone prefer a selectable in the rear over the front. unless they had locking hubs.

freegdr

this is a 90 xj should have the disco front so all is not locked together all the time

ClaytonXJ

Which is exactly why I specified a not very aggressive locker. Something like a Detroit is automatic but tends to engage and disengage randomly and sometimes violently in tight corners. It's not fun in the front end.

Hoooper

WTF are you talking about? if youre driving in 2wd with an auto locker it wont ever be engaging/disengaging in corners and if its a spool it wont be disengaging at all. Maybe if you have a locker that is installed or operating incorrectly this would happen, I have noticed zero difference in driving on the street with it compared to without it.

also, what is a not aggressive locker compared to an aggressive locker? Only spools and lincoln lockers are aggressive and auto lockers arent? Probably should have not even posted if that is the case, he was clearly not looking for a spool/welded. Not to mention he has a disconnect axle so it would also still drive completely normal even with a spool or welded axle