Front Diff Automatic Locker: Opinions Wanted
Dolamite
Jeeper
- Posts
- 180
- Thanks
- 0
- Location
- Michigan's Upper Peninsula
- Vehicle(s)
- 1980 Jeep CJ5
258 I6
3.54 gears
AMC 20 Rear Diff (1 piece Axles w/Lokka)
Dana 30 Front Diff w/Lokka
Tremec T-176 4 speed Trans
Dana 300 transfer Case w/Twinstick
I figured it was time to get rid of my 3.08 gear ratio, so I decided to do an axle swap to some axles with a 3.54 gears.
I had already upgraded my AMC20 rear axle with a Lokka automatic locking differential with 1 piece axle shafts, so I took the "good" stuff out of my current 3.08 setup and put them in the 3.54 AMC20 axle.
I'm in the process of changing all of the ball joints, u-joints, bearings, and seals in the Dana 30 front axle and I keep staring at the open diff spider gears. It seems like an absolute shame to go through all of the work of tearing the axle down and then putting it back together with an open diff. My suspension is kind of stiff, so it is not uncommon for one of my front tires to be slightly lifted in rough terrain, which basically eliminates the effectiveness of my 4 wheel drive in an open differential set-up.
IDEALLY, I would like to go to an OX mechanical selectable locker but these are kind of pricey and I don't feel like going through the hassle of pulling out the ring and pinion at this stage (I'm getting really tired of working on axles).
I'm really happy with my Lokka automatic locking differential in the rear, but I have reservations about putting one in the front due to the fact that I have read they adversely affect steering when the hubs are locked and the vehicle is in 4-wheel drive. They sure are a cost effective upgrade, however.
My brother has a locker in the front of his CJ (which I believe is also an auto locking type, although I can't verify that it is installed properly) and he complains about not being able to steer in 4 wheel drive all of the time.
Do any of you fine gentlemen run an auto locker in the front of your rigs, and if so do the positives outweigh the negatives. In other words, if you installed an auto-locker in the front have you considered removing it?
I'd say 60% of my driving is on road, 30% is soft trail riding in 2wd, and 10% is hard mudding in rough terrain (stumps, hummocks, downed trees, etc.) I typically do not drive it in the winter, but wouldn't rule out putting a plow on it in the future.
I sure appreciate any experience that you fellow Jeepers may have!
I had already upgraded my AMC20 rear axle with a Lokka automatic locking differential with 1 piece axle shafts, so I took the "good" stuff out of my current 3.08 setup and put them in the 3.54 AMC20 axle.
I'm in the process of changing all of the ball joints, u-joints, bearings, and seals in the Dana 30 front axle and I keep staring at the open diff spider gears. It seems like an absolute shame to go through all of the work of tearing the axle down and then putting it back together with an open diff. My suspension is kind of stiff, so it is not uncommon for one of my front tires to be slightly lifted in rough terrain, which basically eliminates the effectiveness of my 4 wheel drive in an open differential set-up.
IDEALLY, I would like to go to an OX mechanical selectable locker but these are kind of pricey and I don't feel like going through the hassle of pulling out the ring and pinion at this stage (I'm getting really tired of working on axles).
I'm really happy with my Lokka automatic locking differential in the rear, but I have reservations about putting one in the front due to the fact that I have read they adversely affect steering when the hubs are locked and the vehicle is in 4-wheel drive. They sure are a cost effective upgrade, however.
My brother has a locker in the front of his CJ (which I believe is also an auto locking type, although I can't verify that it is installed properly) and he complains about not being able to steer in 4 wheel drive all of the time.
Do any of you fine gentlemen run an auto locker in the front of your rigs, and if so do the positives outweigh the negatives. In other words, if you installed an auto-locker in the front have you considered removing it?
I'd say 60% of my driving is on road, 30% is soft trail riding in 2wd, and 10% is hard mudding in rough terrain (stumps, hummocks, downed trees, etc.) I typically do not drive it in the winter, but wouldn't rule out putting a plow on it in the future.
I sure appreciate any experience that you fellow Jeepers may have!