I have an 03 TJ with stock open/open dana 35/30 with 3.07 gears. (i know, i know, YUCK!) These will definitely be replaced eventually.
For now, I am looking to lock my rear on a temp basis. I dont want to blow a whole lot of money on ARB or OX lockers. For something that will end up in the scrap pile as soon as possible. I've been going back and forth between Aussie, Detroit, and Tru Tac. Anyone have recommendations on brand or place to buy at a reasonable price?

Too bad there isn't a place to rent out lockers for the axles we all know everyone ditches. LOL

take the 250-300 that you would spend on a locker and put it toward an axle upgrade..

with a locker you increase your chances of breakage..

personal experience..
I blew my open D35 with stock gears & 31" tires in 15K

and of course you will get the people that have had no problems what so ever.

I have upgraded alloy shafts, I forgot to mention that.

The plan is to definitely lock it. That's a givin'.

I had a Powertrax Lock-rite in a previous CJ7. Inexpensive but noisey. Easy install.

I had a Powertrax No-Slip in the rear of my TJ for 5+ years. It was an easy install and performed flawlessly. It was silent - no ratcheting noise. Survived snow, mud, rocks.

I've heard great things about the Aussie and they are priced right. Other guys in the club have them and I'll let them give experiential info.

I think I'm gonna email Aussie and see if they'll give me a deal if I just bite the bullet and lock em both.

Think being locked F&R with D30/35 can stand up to 33x10.5s on 3.07 gears?

Bill is a member here, he is the President of Aussie. Tell him you are on Mudnuts, he may help you out.

Quote:

It all depends on how you drive it and what you are driving through. They both will tend to eat shafts if pressed hard. Your rear alloy shafts will help but the front u-joints and shafts will fail. Guys carry spares for such occasions. The lockers themselves rarely are the weak link in your application.

Just adding one will dramatically improve your prowess...

I'm typically gentle/finesse-full with the go pedal...

The weak link of the 30/44 front is the same u-joint, so like DJRon did, I'll lug around a spare set of shafts with me on trips. I have my old rear shafts in the garage, and i'll pick up a spare short and long side front shafts befor going too wild.


I'm curious, when the TJ is in 2wd, does the front shaft spin freely, or is there chance the front stays locked? I'm concerned the front may walk on me if the locker kicks in in 2wd.

In most automatic lockers (Aussie, Lock-rite, ect), if there is no power going to the front axle, the locker will allow normal differentiation and be transparent. As soon as the vehicle is put into 4 wheel drive, then power will be applied and the locker will be able to do it's thing.

Excellent. That's what I was hoping for.

I guess it's time to man up and get some gear lube and order these lockers. Friday can't come soon enough!

Well, they'll ship out Thursday and should be here soon. The gentleman I placed my order with had actually read this thread and said he was looking forward to hearing from me.

I was pretty amazed I'd be that important. lol

Anyhow, you can't beat f&r lockers to your door for $500. amazing. I'll have to make sure I do a few pics while installing them.

That sounds like Bill from Aussie. He's a great club sponsor. He stands behind what he sells.

I kinda feel like a moron. I bought the F&R locker, a 3.5" lift, CV driveshaft, SYE, and I forgot to budget some new tires into the plan...

Hmmm, fully locked, 3.5" of lift rolling on 30x9.5 BFG ATs ... I'll be king of the McDonald's parking lot. LOL

KING OF THE MALL!

you have to admit you did do it in the right order - it's a lot easier to roll lifted on 30s and then get the 35s and do your trimming than it is to go the other way around :)

so if I tell you I have a set of 35" mtr's for sale would you be interested? :)