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Locking just the front axle?

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Old 02-18-2014, 06:34 AM
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okay so down the road I want lockers just as anyone would. I'm not dropping a grand on a rear air locker so the rear will never probably get locked and my Jeep is my DD. So can I just get a front locker? Better than nothing. It will only be hard to steer and be locked when in 4wd right? And will be normal and open in 2wd right? Good cheaper suggestions?
Old 02-18-2014, 06:42 AM
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Lokka lockers go for 199 bucks for Dana 30
Old 02-18-2014, 06:54 AM
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And is this okay to do? Do a lot of people just lock the front for a while?
Old 02-18-2014, 06:59 AM
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Some people do that. In fact some of them actually prefer it that way

I don't have lockers so I can't say from experience but from what I read here
Old 02-18-2014, 07:19 AM
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Originally Posted by FreddyD'Apice
And is this okay to do? Do a lot of people just lock the front for a while?
You'll get everyone & their brother arguing front is better or rear is better. It doesn't matter if you lock front first or rear first, I'd say you're on the right path, I was going to do that, but decided to go air lockers front & rear. Just better for me. Steering may be an issue on tight trails, but i think runnin front would be better for climbing over obstacles. Using auto lockers is way less expensive then other options. Go for it, good luck. I've heard great things about Spartan lockers & bought them for mine but sold them when I decided on air lockers.
Old 02-18-2014, 07:26 AM
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I have locker in the rear, Powertrax no slip. No problems as this is a daily driver. Just remember what you're driving. Anyway, you won't have any driveablility problems when in 2wd. In 4wd, it may be a tough turn on tight trails, but just quick slip it out of 4x, turn, then back in.
Old 02-18-2014, 07:36 AM
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Yes that is fine, that is exactly what I did.
Old 02-18-2014, 07:59 AM
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What about the lock rights front and rear? Is that DD friendly and tire and transmission friendly?
Old 02-18-2014, 08:07 AM
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Originally Posted by FreddyD'Apice
What about the lock rights front and rear? Is that DD friendly and tire and transmission friendly?
Had a lock rite in the rear of my wrangler. Hated it, pulled it out after 2 days & sold it. I went back to an open Diff.
Old 02-18-2014, 08:09 AM
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I run a Spartan in the front open in the rear.Some pops and ratcheting sounds but youll get used to it. Especially when you see the difference offroadLock it
Old 02-18-2014, 08:57 AM
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Originally Posted by HS00XJ
I run a Spartan in the front open in the rear.Some pops and ratcheting sounds but youll get used to it. Especially when you see the difference offroadLock it
Are the noises just in 4wd or 2wd also?
Old 02-18-2014, 09:26 AM
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Just buy the best one you can afford and don't worry about it. Some of the really cheap one are cheap for a reason Chinese Junk. If I were doing one I would choose the front also......each to his own.

I'm using Detroit Lockers front and rear.

YMMV
Old 02-18-2014, 10:00 AM
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Originally Posted by FreddyD'Apice
Are the noises just in 4wd or 2wd also?
both but I have the very unusual bad popping Spartan. when turning hard left it can pop and jerk pretty bad. I probably have a bent axle tube or axle .But im swapping in a hp soon.I know many others that run Spartan and have no poping in 2 wheel drive. Just lock it if you wheel and if you don't then don't lock it.
Old 02-18-2014, 11:31 AM
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Originally Posted by HS00XJ
both but I have the very unusual bad popping Spartan. when turning hard left it can pop and jerk pretty bad. I probably have a bent axle tube or axle .But im swapping in a hp soon.I know many others that run Spartan and have no poping in 2 wheel drive. Just lock it if you wheel and if you don't then don't lock it.
Just an observation I've made, there are quite a few claims of this with Spartan lockers in the front. I would go with Aussie or lokka
Old 02-18-2014, 02:40 PM
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I'm also planning on locking the front first. The power trax no slip is supposed to be noise free and the most smoothest. I'm still debating if its worth the extra cash.


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