Just curious for those with an auto locker in front. How does it feel driving in 2wd? Is it pretty transparent with no torque applied?

 

Yes feels no different than before, running 85w140 gear oil will help keep it quiet.

 

once locked, steering will be very difficult around corners, damage may occur when driven on dry pavement when locked.

 

Only if it is in 4x4.

 

Shouldnt be in 4x4 on dry pavement anyway, that can damage t case.
In the dirt the tries should slip pretty easy so turning is not too difficult
Put lunch box in my friends XJ and it got quite after about a week, used the oil weight recommended by Jeep

 

Even in rear drive, if front locked on dry pavement, damage and hard steering may result when cornering.

 

Doesn't an auto locker only engage when power goes to it? So in 2wd it should just click but not actually lock the wheels together, so there should not be any interference with steering

 

Well. I guess I’ll let y’all know from actual experience. Haha

 

It does not, had a front locker for 5 years, and installed several more in other vehicles. If it is locking up and causing hard steering in 2wd then something is wrong.

 

I had a Sparten Locker installed in mine, It was a shop specializing in jeeps, and they installed it wrong, when turning right from a stop sign, it would bind and pop really loud, when I pulled the cover, shims were sticking out 1 inch plus.

 

IF it is locked, it will cause steering issues on dry pavement. I didnt mean to imply an auto locker will lock when the axle is not powered. Just saying that IF locked it will be an issue. My front locker is manual, ARB air locker. IF it gets locked on dry pavement, even with no power to front axle, it WILL cause steering issues, that is my experience.

 

Yes that would be true, but he was asking about an auto locker.

 

Yes, that is understood, but I was stating what will happen IF locked. Obviously if is not locked it would act as if it was not locked.

Then again maybe he wanted to know how pretty it is, and if he can see right thru it. 🤔

 

You said even in 2wd it could put stress on steering. Like you said thats true on an E locker, Air Locker, Welded, or spool up front. But OP asked about auto so that's what the responses were for
An auto locker up front cannot be locked in 2wd no matter what.

 

So oot444e is wrong too..."If it is locking up and causing hard steering in 2wd then something is wrong." I guess it can never go wrong, "no matter what" correct?

So PJB is also wrong..."I had a Sparten Locker installed in mine, It was a shop specializing in jeeps, and they installed it wrong, when turning right from a stop sign, it would bind and pop really loud, when I pulled the cover, shims were sticking out 1 inch plus." I guess this never happened to PJB, "no matter what"..correct?

So no matter what, you must always be correct, we are all wrong.

​​​​​​​☺☺☺.