Lockers - Front or Rear first?

OneBadTJ

Member
Joined
Jan 26, 2010
Location
Fort Mill, SC
I have read differerent opinions on this and just wanted to get a few more. Here is the thing.

My front pinion seal is leaking so I was planning to replace it soon. My thought is since I'l be draining the fluid why not pull the carrier and install a locker. I can only afford one at the moment so I thought I would put it on the front axle unless from experience people tell me that if you only have one it is better to be in the back.

I have a 2003 TJ running 33x12.5x15 buckshot mudders with a Dana 44 in the back and the Dana 30 up front. Both have the stock open dif right now.
 
Rear
 
My reasoning was I didn't want to put money into the Dana 35, Since you have a Dana 44 thats not an issue. Now I have an 8.8 and I will lock it when I have the $$$

This question has been asked many times and there is not a clean cut answer. Most of us have different opinions on it, Due to different setups.
 
look the rear man bc if u stand up going up a rock face u loss all your tracsin if it in the rear all the weight of your truck is on the rear axle giving u the best trackshin:driver:
 
OneBadTJ said:
So you think I'm better to lock the rear Dana 44 now and replace the whole Dana 30 front axle when I have the money?
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Yes for sure 100%
 
varner32492 said:
look the rear man bc if u stand up going up a rock face u loss all your tracsin if it in the rear all the weight of your truck is on the rear axle giving u the best trackshin:driver:
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I just don't understand this.
 
Front or rear.

I would definitely lock the rear first. Your vehicle will go better overall versus the front locked and open in the rear.
 
varner32492 said:
look the rear man bc if u stand up going up a rock face u loss all your tracsin if it in the rear all the weight of your truck is on the rear axle giving u the best trackshin:driver:
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^^^I dont agree.
it all depends on what wheels ahve traction and how you line up.

knowing that you are locked front or rear also changes how you drive.

one example - I had to gas the shit out of my truck (rear locked) to get UP some trails in the slick ass icey snow in TN, but the guys that were front locked didn't have to push that hard... I believe the difference is weight.

also yeah in your case - rear because you have a d44 and just replace the 30 in the future. no sense in messin with that axle if you plan on going even a little bigger.
 
I loved being locked only in the front on my XJ. I feel it offered more traction that being locked only in the rear.

Unnoticeable on the street, where a rear locker can be annoying on a street driven vehicle.
 
novacayne75 said:
having the locker in front will help get the front tires started up obsticles rather than just shoving the tires into it.
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I have this heard this reasoning many times.
 
OneBadTJ said:
I'll stick with 33s for a while.
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I have wheeled the snot out of my D30 locked and on 35s for going on 9 years now, and have not had an issue with it. Of course I still geared 4.10, Putting 4.88s into may be a little much, So when I make the gear change I may look into a new front axle at the same time.

But if your running 33s you will be completely fine.
 
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