What lockers to get?

johnnie walker

Well-Known Member
Joined
Nov 26, 2011
Location
Shelbyville Michigan
I got a jeep tj a couple weeks ago. I wheeled it with open open on 31's and the lift it came with. I would like to get at least a rear locker soon with a limited budget but don't want to weld my rear for get full spool as its my daily driver:driver:. What should I get? Dana 44 rear Dana 30 front.
 
Lock rite
 
limited budget = lockrite...or spartan/aussie, etc.

I've never driven anything with a lockrite in the rear, but supposedly it can be quirky/jerky. I've always found the extra cash to get a No Slip, and been very happy.
 
For your daily driver, I'd recommend starting out with a "lunchbox" style locker in your front axle first (Spartan, Lockrite, or Aussie). This will not affect your on-road drive at all, but will help immensely offroad. Also it will only cost about $250 and you can install it yourself in an afternoon. After you wheel with the front locker for a while, if you find you need a rear locker to go on the trails you want to go on, I would then look into a rear locker. Having an automatic locker in the rear adds some quirkiness to a jeep that takes some getting used to, while a front locker is pretty much invisible on the street.
 
from experience, stay away from the detroit ez-lock lunchbox locker, I've fought with 2 different applications of these and neither was close to what it should have been...on the other hand, i've been running a lockrite for over 15 years & over 100k miles with way more power than it's rated for & haven't had any trouble at all out of it. the aussie & spartan both look good, just haven't tried them yet.
 
Lock-rite in rear is less quirky with an automatic tranny. Even manual you get used to it. Many miles/years on mine w/no issues. Front anything other than limited slip is beyond quirky on snow/ice...
 
/dev/yj said:
Lock-rite in rear is less quirky with an automatic tranny. Even manual you get used to it. Many miles/years on mine w/no issues. Front anything other than limited slip is beyond quirky on snow/ice...
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Snow and ice isn't a issue in Raleigh most of the time. Ill contact Andy at ecgs and have him pick the lunchbox for upfront. Then I'll save for an Arb or something for the rear. Thanks for all the recommendations.
 
I'd save for an ARB for the front, that way should you need 4wd on the street you've got it without the quirkiness of a locked front end, that and with a locked front steering even off road can be a challenge. Lunchbox lock the rear.
 
rattlecanpaint said:
I'd save for an ARB for the front, that way should you need 4wd on the street you've got it without the quirkiness of a locked front end, that and with a locked front steering even off road can be a challenge. Lunchbox lock the rear.
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For a DD TJ, I'd drop the ARB coin on the rear. It's going to be street driven probably most of the time. Might as well eliminate the 95% quirkiness of street driving and just suck it up with an autolocker in the front. My .02, but your points are very valid. I drive my TJ on the road more than off, and would love to have a selectable in the rear as compared to the front. On road 4wd just doesn't happen enough in NC to justify the front getting the ARB. Again, just my opinion.

Just thought of another reason. I've driven my TJ in moderately slippery roads where 4wd wasn't entirely necessary yet. I've done it with and without a lockright in the rear. I will say this, if the roads are moderately slippery and the rear is open, you can manage much better in 2wd. IF you have the rear locked and the roads are just kind of slippery, you WILL need 4wd. Your ass end will be all over the place with a locked rear axle. That is not an opinion, it's a fact.
 
Hmmm.

Front= lunchbox vs rear= lunchbox

There just isn't enough instances where we need 4wd on the streets in Raleigh. I've only needed it say twice in the last 10 years.
If I need steering off road dont I have to just back up a bit to unlock it?
What do y'all mean by quirky?
 
quirky lockers...you're rolling thru a corner off the throttle, it will be unlocked. When you get back in the throttle, it will lock, and push to the vehicle towards he outside of the corner. You get used to it, just drive smooth, its not a problem especially if you understand whats going on.
 
RenegadeT said:
quirky lockers...you're rolling thru a corner off the throttle, it will be unlocked. When you get back in the throttle, it will lock, and push to the vehicle towards he outside of the corner. You get used to it, just drive smooth, its not a problem especially if you understand whats going on.
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If I had a locker in the rear correct? If it was up front it wouldn't do this I assume?
 
i say go with lockrite not the aussie & spartan
B/C the lockrite has 2 springs per pin & the aussie & spartan both have 1 spring per pin & for what i have seen the aussie & spartan seem to load & unload more under bind & the lockrite has more spring force & seem to stay locked up better

call ESGS & ask them about all 3 & i think they will tell you the same thing

ECGS is a great place
http://eastcoastgearsupply.com/
this is off there web site & i 2nd it
Q: Ausie Locker or Lockright
We get this alot, we only sell lockrights. Here is why. They are made in the USA, they are an East Coast based company. There warranty program is top notch and fast. We see no difference in the Aussie or the lockright on or offroad. When we get a chance well post a picture of the 2 side by side they are almost identical. The lockright uses a 2 spring design at each pressure point, where the aussie use one. Detroit easy lockers also use the one spring design and we have actually disinstalled an easy locker minutes after the customer took the truck do to the poor road manners. We do no sell these either based on Detroits poor customer service and warranties, poor replacement part service and the issues we have had with them.
 
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