Don't auto lockers only.engage when power is put to them? As long as you are in 2wd the locker should not engage, lockouts or not.

No. If you're in 2wd there is no power to the front. The locker only locks forcefully when there is power to it. In 2wd, it will be locked normally but it unlocks very easily and you won't even notice it. Only thing you might notice is the sound some of them make during really tight turns. I only hear my spartan at full lock such as in parking lots

Yes. They operate when the cross shaft puts pressure on the cam gears, forcing them out to positively engage the axle cam gear on the axles. If there is no power then all the cam has to overcome is the little springs that hold them in place.

Yeah, non c clip is different, but that's not the case here since he has a newer than 90, and it's an 8.25 anyway

If you're going straight it's normally engaged (from what I have read), but it's not engaged like under power, more of a just resting there situation if that makes any sense. Any bit of turning unlocks it

If you want to verify, lift the front end, turn a tire forward like you're driving forward, and watch the other tire. This is basically exactly what happens when in 2wd just in much slower speed

Yeah, that's how I understood them.

I'm on my 3rd XJ. The first two. I had Detroit locker and I really like them. When I got my current (3rd XJ). It came w a power traxx. I honestly can't complain about it.
I live close to the Rubicon. I've done that thing 3 times. All the local OHV parks. Black Rock desert. It does great!
For street it's fine on dry asphalt. When it's wet, just don't gun it around turns.
Over all it's kick butt. That's in the rear by the way. I still kinda prefer the Detroit. But I wouldn't hesitate on this powertraxx unit.
I agree w Frank. Selectable up front. The option is nice and the steering doesn't change. It's just more expensive.
I'll be doing ELocker up front when time comes.

Say what? Its so fun to go power drifting in rain, A LOT more fun in the snow too with a rear locker.

What kind of wheeling do you do?

I kinda agree. That's how I've put my rear end into ditches a few times. I love wheelin in snow! I have to go snow camping a few times each season to get my fix

Heres my take on it:

I started out with a rear locker, it really helped in the mud but did almost ZERO good in the rocks. I put a Spartan in the front it is almost silent and can not tell its there even in 4wd unless I am really on the gas hard.

If I had to do it all over again I would go front first then rear later. Its way easier to get up ledges and stuff like that when the front wants to pull its self over instead of the rear wanting to push it up. And really for $230 to my door for a spartan its a no brainer for me!