Yes, I've googled, searched, and read. The factors and opinions are endless. Rear is better, except if you have axle X, or drive in snow., or this and that. But the rear usually has the most traction so lock the front, but it's more stressful to components, and harder to steer, and etc. Don't lock either, get a selectable locker, lock both, get a LSD.
How did y'all decide? Drive with both open till you figured it out? Flip a coin, roll dice?
My XJ is just a toy and will only see moderate trails at the worst, most likely in decent weather. D30 F and 27spline 8.25 R, 231 TC. Looking at auto lockers for cost and ease of install.
I've got a small lift (3") and just don't want to be that douche that has the show but not the go, even though it will mostly be for light wheeling I'm sure the instance where I need a locker will eventually happen.

 

I have front selectable on my jeep so it's easier to steer while rock crawling. The rear is automatic locked, don't have problems with driving on roads.

Where do u live, and do it see tons of snow per year?

 

I've always been of the opinion that a helical gear lsd in the rear and selectable up front unless you do extreme crawling. Past that order and preference of brand is completely up to you.

 

Unfortunately selectable is out of my price range. I've read an auto on the streets isn't bad.
Snow? No, not in southern Cali, unless I'm going to the mountains which I do occasionally but not often.

 

is this a DD? if so do the front, not even noticeable in 2wd so no chirping no bull**** on the street. i dont get how "the rear has more traction" its almost as bad as a 2wd pickup truck in the rear.. there is literally no weight back there. the only time the rear has more traction is going up a hill. all the weight is up front IMO

 

If it's just a toy then lock both. If you can't afford to do both then flip a coin on which end to do first. I would probably do the front first but that's just me. At about $250-300 per axle it shouldn't take too long to have both locked up.

 

Remember if you have a 242 you cannot use full-time on road with both ends locked.

 

Yeah lock the front and then when u got more money later, u can do the rear

 

Nope, not a DD. Although honestly it will see a higher percentage of pavement than dirt. This is one reason I'm considering the front, I figure if I'm in 4wd anyway then traction in the front is obviously needed.
As far as weight, I'm keeping the spare 31" along with tools and whatever else in the rear, so it will have some leverage.

 

Wow, you guys are either fast typers or I'm just slow. 3 more votes for the front!

 

A stock XJ is extremely close to 50/50 weight distribution front/rear. That said, when going forward, the rear will have more traction because forward acceleration shifts the vehicle's weight back slightly.

On this topic, my distant plans for mine are Detroit Truetrac lsd in the rear then a selectable in the front. I don't wheel recreationally but do travel off-road sometimes and also have some harsh WI/MN winters to DD in.

 

I'll just say this I have full carrier auto lockers in both. But after I did them I noticed that I could go into places in 2wd that before required 4wd to get there every time with the rear locked. The front was only icing on the cake that is used when its needed, much less than before.

 

locked front will make it easier to hill climb

locked rear will be more useful on the street and make it easier to steer

 

I have the front of both my rigs locked with ratcheting style lockers, no complaints on it other than in winter it likes to wander abit more on the roads.

 

rear first in my opinion.