rear locker for a dd
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 30
Likes: 1
Model: Cherokee
rear locker for a dd
would like to know suggestions for a dual use locker for the rear with out going broke, and being able to have use for daily driving in the winter. 99 xj 8.25 rear 29 spline.
Member
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 169
Likes: 1
From: Orange County, CA
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L HO
An auto locker is not really what you want for winter driving:
That's the clearest explanation I've come across.
From my limited knowledge on the subject I'd say you'd be better off with good snow/all season tires or a selectable locker than an auto like a detroit.
The only thing bad about auto lockers while driving on snow and ice is that snow and ice is a slippery surface therefore your lockers will most likely stay locked all the time...even while in a turn. Because that is how auto lockers work. If you don't have wheels moving at different speeds while on a dry surface, (like in a turn situation) your auto lockers will not unlock. If you have a front locker this can cause the vehicle to push (continue to go straight with front wheels turned) if you have become too overconfident and are driving too fast for the snowy and icey road conditions. The biggest problem is that lockers will allow an inexperienced person the traction to take off faster in snow and ice. What these inexperienced people usually don't realize until it's too late is that your cool new lockers will not allow your rig to corner or stop any better than any other vehicle in snow and ice when driving too fast for the snowy and icey road conditions. In short there is no locker that is bad for snow and ice. What is bad is the people who think locking differentials in their cool new Mall Crawler SUV give them the ability to drive at normal road or highway speeds in snow and ice.
From my limited knowledge on the subject I'd say you'd be better off with good snow/all season tires or a selectable locker than an auto like a detroit.
Last edited by ddurgin91; Oct 6, 2015 at 03:14 AM.
CF Veteran
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 2,624
Likes: 302
From: Asheville, NC
Year: 1999
Engine: 4.0
If you have an automatic trans, auto lockers seem to be okay in the rear. I have one with a manual and it's, uh, okay. In the snow, you can either be safe or very stupid - it's all how you want to drive.
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 616
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From: Vernon NJ
Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
I drove around for years with a lock rite lunch box locker in the 35 in my TJ with 33's on it. I never had any problems in the snow. It is all about how you drive if you are the type of person that has the pedal to the metal in the snow and needs to go 70 mph then don't get one. If you can drive in snow at a steady pace and keep your speed at bay then get one there is a difference and you will notice it. I only had one bad day in the snow with the locker right after I put it in. I was cocky and did not think I needed 4x4 for the flat snow covered road I was on. I ended up in a ditch up against a telephone pole. The use of a locker will not void the use of 4x4 in snow it will help as long as you know how it will act at different speeds. It will still ratchet going around turns as long as you are not hammering the gas.
CF Veteran
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 4,481
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From: Arizona
Year: 97
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Just respect inertia
It boils down to keeping the basic principle of inertia in mind while driving it. I have a Bronco II that is spooled in full posi front and rear and never had any trouble driving it on ice or snow as long as I respected inertia. I have driven Semi tractor trailers with full lockers on the eight rear drive tires in ice and snow without any issues as long as I respected inertia.
Disclaimer: Never spool a front axle without locking hubs
Disclaimer: Never spool a front axle without locking hubs
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Junior Member
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 41
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From: Missouri
Year: 92
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
I have an aussie locker in my 30 hybrid. Drove around for a couple weeks with the hubs locked in. Had no issues with rain. I'm getting ready to put another aussie in my 8.8. I've had a 5 speed S10 with a lock rite in the rear for years. Bent the rear axle last year and replaced with an open 8.8. Miss having the lunchbox in it. Never a problem whether it's been snow, ice or rain. Just have to learn the characteristics and drive accordingly.
CF Veteran
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 7,554
Likes: 17
From: Monett, MO.
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
I run Detroit Lockers in both of my differentials 99 D30/Chy 8.25 and have no issues in the snow or ice, it all boils down to knowing how to drive with them.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 30
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Model: Cherokee
thanks for the replies everyone. I think running one in the front is what I stick with this year. what is a good budget selectable rear locker?
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Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 148
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From: Katy, TX
Year: 1997
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
If you have a 242 I don't recommend it. If you have a 231 then an Aussie locker. You can put it in with a 242 but the full time AWD will give you fits.
See below for the Aussie.
http://www.aussielocker.com/index.ph...-xd-13027.html
See below for the Aussie.
http://www.aussielocker.com/index.ph...-xd-13027.html
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 30
Likes: 1
Model: Cherokee
If you have a 242 I don't recommend it. If you have a 231 then an Aussie locker. You can put it in with a 242 but the full time AWD will give you fits.
See below for the Aussie.
http://www.aussielocker.com/index.ph...-xd-13027.html
See below for the Aussie.
http://www.aussielocker.com/index.ph...-xd-13027.html
CF Veteran
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 3,353
Likes: 1
From: Missoula, MT
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: Golen 4.6 Stroker, AFE Headers, 62mm TB, 24 LB Injectors, Brown Dog kit, HF Cat, 3" Exhaust
On the selector...
242- 2WD, 4PART-TIME, 4FULL-TIME, N, 4LO
231- 2H, 4H, N, 4L
Or you can crawl underneath and clean/read the tag.
I personally love the ARB I have now and have had auto lockers in the past. If you get as much snow/ice as we do here and for as long, auto lockers become a challenge. Yes you can "get used to it" but road conditions are constantly changing as you move down the road and having them lock up sporadically sucks. Don't be caught daydreaming or something, you'll end up in a ditch. Plenty of people use them in snow and ice but it is not the ideal situation by any stretch of the imagination.
242- 2WD, 4PART-TIME, 4FULL-TIME, N, 4LO
231- 2H, 4H, N, 4L
Or you can crawl underneath and clean/read the tag.
I personally love the ARB I have now and have had auto lockers in the past. If you get as much snow/ice as we do here and for as long, auto lockers become a challenge. Yes you can "get used to it" but road conditions are constantly changing as you move down the road and having them lock up sporadically sucks. Don't be caught daydreaming or something, you'll end up in a ditch
. Plenty of people use them in snow and ice but it is not the ideal situation by any stretch of the imagination.
Last edited by Ianf406; Oct 8, 2015 at 06:53 AM.
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 596
Likes: 7
From: Tallahassee, FL
Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
There is no such thing as a "Budget Selectable Locker", They all are $850-1000, the air operated ones need a compressor additional, and the other need a cable which is additional $$$$. On top of this all selectable's require having your gears setup again, unlike a LOKKA, SPARTAN, or AUSSIE Lunchbox locker that just replaces the spider gears.
PS: I live in Florida now, but grew up driving in Chicago snow, I think the only issue with a rear locker is when you go around the corner and spin the wheels with too much gas, it is then easier to spin out.... but that is only if you aren't smart enough to get off the gas and maybe feather it a little at most.
PS: I live in Florida now, but grew up driving in Chicago snow, I think the only issue with a rear locker is when you go around the corner and spin the wheels with too much gas, it is then easier to spin out.... but that is only if you aren't smart enough to get off the gas and maybe feather it a little at most.
CF Veteran
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 13,952
Likes: 17
Model: Cherokee
Budget is a very subjective term.
Perhaps the better question is "What is the best bang for the buck selectable locker?"
and the answer is....
Eaton Elocker
Perhaps the better question is "What is the best bang for the buck selectable locker?"
and the answer is....
Eaton Elocker