wristwister

So we took Frank II to Les Schwab for alignment and wheel balancing. The kid there said "Did you know you have a locker on the rear end?". Apparently he deduced this by turning a rear wheel while on the lift and the other wheel turned with it.

Well, no, I didn't know that. It's a '95 "Country" model XJ, and seems to have all the bells and whistles offered at the time. It's new to us, and the previous owner didn't know much about the Jeep. So, a couple questions:

I see no controls leading to the pumpkin, so it can't be a selectable locker, right? Would have to be LSD?

The Schwab kid thought it was just permanently locked in, but this can't be right can it? If it was, wouldn't it steer like crap on the pavement?

Did these XJs come out of the factory with option for locker rear ends? If so, what kind is it? LSD?

How can I tell for sure if it has a locker, and what type it is, without cracking open the pumpkin?

Here's a pic of the pumpkin if that helps at all. Thanks.

Atmos

probably just a factory limited slip. it's true that if you jack up the rear end and turn one wheel the tire on the opposite side should rotate backwards on an open diff. If both tires turn forward together it's a limited slip

the only other way I know how to tell (without opening it) is email jeep and request a build sheet

jessenator

My Dana 35 Trak Loc LSD pumpkin has two metal tags—

1) is an ID tag for the axle/difff assembly (it runs between two bolts on the left-hand side)
2) is a message telling you to use a friction modifier. (kinda hangs off from one bolt)

Here's a pic of the #2 label

jessenator

If you go to this page on Jeep's site, and under the left side bar where it says "Your Vehicle" and under that "Equipment Listing"

Click that "Equipment Listing" link and enter your VIN there in the lower text field that says "VIN" and it will generate a PDF of your build.

It says "Vehicles built before 1998 are not eligible for this functionality" but my 1996 came out pretty close to the one I requested via email from FCA (jeep)—the order of the build items is different, but the same things showed up for the most part.

wristwister

Thanks Jessenator, that site did indeed list all the details about our Jeep, including:

- Dana 35C/194MM Rear Axle
- Trac-Lok Differential Rear Axle

So there's my answer. I assume that "Trac-Lok" is a traditional limited slip with the clutch plates, right?

00t444e

They never came with lockers, you have a limited slip and unfortunately a Dana 35 axle.

wristwister

OOt, why do you say "unfortunately". Is this known to be a pretty weak axle?

jessenator

my jeep guru buddy said if you replace the stock shafts with forged shafts they can be a bit beefier, but generally, the D44 and Chryco 8.25 are considered "better" in their stock form.

But yes, it's the clutch-style LSD and will need rebuilding after wear.

00t444e

The dana 35 is fine if you don't plan on getting bigger tires, or doing a lot of offroading.

CurrySoSpicy

LOL, this delivery made me chuckle. Thanks.

4.3L XJ

I have run a non C clip D35 with a locker for years. Just don't go over 31" tires and it will perform fine. That is all it was designed for

wristwister

Thanks all. She has no plans to go bigger than the 31s on there now, and no plans to do any rock crawling. Her 4 wheeling is winter snow (constant, it's pretty much in 4X4 all winter), and dirt roads to her favorite rock climbing destinations.

SexyDexy

Likely your biggest threat will be spinning the rear hard in the snow and then having it grab...that's a good recipe for a snapped d35 axle shaft.

Also that Trac-Lok pretty much has to be rebuilt every 30,000 miles or it is no better than an open diff.

'90Cherokee

I call BS X 2. Mine has almost 200k and still works. Spin & grab on snow and snapping an axle, so extremely unlikely.

SexyDexy

I am not saying it will...just saying it "can" happen. I have personally seen it on a snow hill climb, spin, rpms at 4K, grabs a rock, snap!