Lockers w/ 31's
 

I've been running 31's on my D30/D35 setup for the past year. I'm planning on tossing a 29 spline c8.25 on the back and running aussie lockers front and rear. At that point, the build would be completely done - aside from maybe some rock sliders.

That should be plenty of axle to run 31's locked, right? I am easy on the throttle.

I live in Denver and I don't think I could stand to drive the thing up I-70 on 33's without regearing. That's just too much cost for what I'm trying to do with the Cherokee.

you will be fine

Thats my exact setup and I have no issues whatsoever.

classic XJ setup. no issues whatsoever.

Great. I drive the jeep from Denver all over Colorado and Utah to wheel, so I am very concerned about being able to drive home.

The jeep is already pretty damn good without lockers, I'm stoked to see what it can do locked front and rear.

It will climb a tree, I ran that setup for a little over a year, and the only time I got stuck was when I bottomed out in a mud hole with some deep ruts in it.

I concur with the above statement, ruts will be your only enemy..

I'm OK with that. Can't run 31's and expect to be unstoppable!

I'm heading back to Moab in the spring and I want to be able to give the tougher trails a go. I'm hoping to have all of this done by then.

Thing will be a lot of fun for sure!

As we start to get into winter here,spend some time getting used to how it handles on snow and especially ice. The Aussies will change how it reacts to driver input when traction is limited. This isn't bad. It just means you need to know how to change your driving style.

Rear aussie in snow/any road conditions are hardly noticeable. I never had a bad experience with it on or off road. Just don't drive like it's a civic and more like it's an old Jeep

That's been my only real concern about the aussie lockers, but I've read a lot from people who have said it's not that bad.

My wife does drive the XJ occasionally when it snows - although we're probably going to get her a new car next year.

An auto locker rear and an open front is an excellent snow setup, that's how both of my trucks are. The Jeep with the auto locker in the front is drivable in the snow in 4x4 but you have to pay more attention and keep a good grip on the steering wheel. If one side is on a slick surface it will try to pull you in that direction if your not careful, I don't use 4x4 at speeds above 30 mph in the Jeep.

Both of my trucks have the stock open differential in the front, and an auto locker rear. The Jeep has lockers on both ends.