ox locker
CF Veteran
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 3,636
Likes: 469
From: Southern OH
Year: 1997
Model: Cherokee(XJ)
Engine: 4.0
Thanks for the honest statement about the tire scrub. A lot of people just deal with it, though my wife wouldn't. And as stated in the video, a Detroit locker isn't the best thing to have going over snowy passes on pavement on the way to wheel in Death Valley too. I posted the video so people can see the advantages and disadvantages of each one and make up their own mind. What works for one, may not for another.
The 8.25 is a good diff esp. when compared with the Dana 35 that Chrysler also offered. Ironically, the Dana could be had with a limited slip, but it isn't as stout as an 8.25. Chrysler designed the 8.25 for smaller ratios, I believe the towing package came with a 3.73. So, getting a 4.88 in one is well past the engineering considerations of the original designers. The axels were designed to turn much lighter tires as well. The inertia of a 36# 235/75/r15 is much less than a 65# 35" tire. It's too their credit that you're not twisting axels. I believe Beeping Jeep converted to Ford axels - you can view his conversion on you tube. But if you can wheel on what you already own - more power to you - and time and money
The 8.25 is a good diff esp. when compared with the Dana 35 that Chrysler also offered. Ironically, the Dana could be had with a limited slip, but it isn't as stout as an 8.25. Chrysler designed the 8.25 for smaller ratios, I believe the towing package came with a 3.73. So, getting a 4.88 in one is well past the engineering considerations of the original designers. The axels were designed to turn much lighter tires as well. The inertia of a 36# 235/75/r15 is much less than a 65# 35" tire. It's too their credit that you're not twisting axels. I believe Beeping Jeep converted to Ford axels - you can view his conversion on you tube. But if you can wheel on what you already own - more power to you - and time and money
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 644
Likes: 184
From: Northern California
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0 w/ Banks header & K&N intake
Not in my world
I don't know where you wheel, or even if you do - but in my end of the world, the trails are steep and rocky and people do change their diffs on XJ or put in stronger axels in 8.25's AND DANA 30'S as well as sleeve them
ONCE AGAIN. WHAT WORKS OR ONE, DOSEN'T NESSERY WORK FOR ANOTHER
And this also:
CF Veteran
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 6,588
Likes: 495
From: Chico, CA
Year: 1986
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.3L with headers and full 3" exhaust system
I feel like I have to chyme in on this. It may or may not be relevant, but when you have a welded axle or selectable locker you have to expect to have to run a smaller size tire compared to what you can with an auto locker. The reason is that an auto locker will have one wheel free wheel if needed, hence the clicking sound you get, but if needed in low traction will lock both axles. If you wheel in an area where there are lots of traction, say in an area popular for rock crawling, a welded axle or locked selectable, one tire must loose traction and skid on the surface, which is hard on the axles and over time they can be stressed enough to fail. But on the other hand, a selectable is much more road friendly. Trade offs with both
CF Veteran
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 1,905
Likes: 346
From: Idaho
Year: 89
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: Peddles
I agree that a Detroit probly isnt a good differential for snowy roads ice or hard packed snow.
I ran my welded axle accidentally on a snow packed high way I broke out sweat I was going 65 on clear axfault then into shade and snow. I thought for sure at any second the little beats was going to swap ends
trails on soft snow it may work well
With the welded rear people turn and look when I pull up to a fuel fund screeching rubber
I ran my welded axle accidentally on a snow packed high way I broke out sweat I was going 65 on clear axfault then into shade and snow. I thought for sure at any second the little beats was going to swap ends
trails on soft snow it may work well
With the welded rear people turn and look when I pull up to a fuel fund screeching rubber
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 644
Likes: 184
From: Northern California
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0 w/ Banks header & K&N intake
An OX Locker in the snow
An OX Locker in the snow at south pass Death Valley. Note that chains are on all 4 wheels due to ice and the drop off the shelf road ahead.
Last edited by Very Red XJ; Aug 28, 2021 at 07:02 PM.
CF Veteran
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 3,636
Likes: 469
From: Southern OH
Year: 1997
Model: Cherokee(XJ)
Engine: 4.0
About 23 min. into this;
Differential Locker Comparison (ARB / Eaton / Ox / Yukon) - Filthy Motorsports - YouTube
This guy sells, installs and wheels lockers and is an expert in his field
I don't know where you wheel, or even if you do - but in my end of the world, the trails are steep and rocky and people do change their diffs on XJ or put in stronger axels in 8.25's AND DANA 30'S as well as sleeve them
ONCE AGAIN. WHAT WORKS OR ONE, DOSEN'T NESSERY WORK FOR ANOTHER
And this also:
Detroit Locker.m2t - YouTube
Differential Locker Comparison (ARB / Eaton / Ox / Yukon) - Filthy Motorsports - YouTube
This guy sells, installs and wheels lockers and is an expert in his field
I don't know where you wheel, or even if you do - but in my end of the world, the trails are steep and rocky and people do change their diffs on XJ or put in stronger axels in 8.25's AND DANA 30'S as well as sleeve them
ONCE AGAIN. WHAT WORKS OR ONE, DOSEN'T NESSERY WORK FOR ANOTHER
And this also:
Detroit Locker.m2t - YouTube
CF Veteran
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 6,588
Likes: 495
From: Chico, CA
Year: 1986
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.3L with headers and full 3" exhaust system
When I drove mine with just a rear lunch box locker in it, 2WD was a different type of experience. One side would lock, then unlock and lock the other side. It was doing the Hula. 
Went away in 4WD though
Went away in 4WD though
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 644
Likes: 184
From: Northern California
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0 w/ Banks header & K&N intake
The Jeep Forum on Detroit Lockers in Snow
It always Interesting to find out what others think - and many of these responses are rational:
https://www.jeepforum.com/forum/f9/w...d-snow-632109/
https://www.jeepforum.com/forum/f9/w...d-snow-632109/
CF Veteran
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 1,905
Likes: 346
From: Idaho
Year: 89
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: Peddles
I'll agree that 99% of what we read that others say they have experience with is most likely nothing more than words the person is typing, I sometimes wonder if they even have a jeep or any kind of off road rig.
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 644
Likes: 184
From: Northern California
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0 w/ Banks header & K&N intake
Last edited by Very Red XJ; Aug 29, 2021 at 03:26 PM.
CF Veteran
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 1,905
Likes: 346
From: Idaho
Year: 89
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: Peddles
I steer clear of snow. The risk to reward ratio favors the risk side to much
you are correct chains are the only way to wheel in the snow.
It doesn't snow much here but when it does we push it then sleep. Looks like we got the Walmart snow removal contract this season.
5 Years ago we did Walmart it requires nearly around the clock attention during a storm
Fueled by diesel and rockstars well somehow get through the winter
you are correct chains are the only way to wheel in the snow.
It doesn't snow much here but when it does we push it then sleep. Looks like we got the Walmart snow removal contract this season.
5 Years ago we did Walmart it requires nearly around the clock attention during a storm
Fueled by diesel and rockstars well somehow get through the winter
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 644
Likes: 184
From: Northern California
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0 w/ Banks header & K&N intake
Yes, skill is important
Like I said I have put thousands of miles on auto lockers in the rear of several different vehicles, and they all worked great on roads with snow and ice, the key is knowing how to drive in the snow, most of what you hear online about auto lockers being bad in the snow is just people parroting false information and they have never actually done it. They can be dangerous in the snow if you don't know how to drive in the snow but at that point you would be dangerous no matter what you are driving. Also on the street it doesn't chirp tires around every corner and they are very easy to drive. Yes I know people upgrade their 8.25s, and swap axles, I was just saying I haven't had any trouble with mine yet.
On my way to get chains. An XJ with an OX locker on the North Pass in Death Valley, NP.
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 644
Likes: 184
From: Northern California
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0 w/ Banks header & K&N intake
I steer clear of snow. The risk to reward ratio favors the risk side to much
you are correct chains are the only way to wheel in the snow.
It doesn't snow much here but when it does we push it then sleep. Looks like we got the Walmart snow removal contract this season.
5 Years ago we did Walmart it requires nearly around the clock attention during a storm
Fueled by diesel and rockstars well somehow get through the winter
you are correct chains are the only way to wheel in the snow.
It doesn't snow much here but when it does we push it then sleep. Looks like we got the Walmart snow removal contract this season.
5 Years ago we did Walmart it requires nearly around the clock attention during a storm
Fueled by diesel and rockstars well somehow get through the winter
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 644
Likes: 184
From: Northern California
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0 w/ Banks header & K&N intake