Lockright, detroit,quicklok for XJ M35?

ShipleyCSA

NAXJA Forum User
Which automatic locker do y'll prefere for a 90' XJ rear dana 35? Been always thinking about getting an automatic locker in the rear, but was always scared it could turn out to be a fiasco. Anybody have any testimonies?
Thanks,
-JOhn
 
I run a TrueTrac, which is actually a gear-driven limited slip rather than a locker.

I think most people will advise you not to invest a lot of money in a Dana 35 axle because it's not very strong, and if you move up to larger tires you're going to want to replace the Dana 35 with a stronger axle.

Lock Right is pretty cheap and seems to work for most people. Quick Lock and Aussie Locker are (to me, anyway) fairly new on the market and I haven't heard much about either one.
 
If you're wanting a lunchbox locker lock right is what I'd recommend. The teeth on the quick lok are much shallower. I haven't seen an aussie up close yet, but they're reported to be better than the lock right. The same people were in the design of the aussie and the lock right. I have heard of people having excessive waiting periods to get the aussie.

Oh yeah, I wouldn't waste the money on putting a detroit in a 35.
 
Definitely a Lunchbox locker

Cheap, idiot proof, and DIY in an hour or two.

Keep an eye on the boards for a used one, or spend the $ for new. Also think about a set of spare axle shafts just in case.

C clipped or not?


I agree, dont spend TOO much money on upgrading a D35...

However, I've had good luck with a D35 C-clip, an EZ Locker, and 32's running moderate trails.
 
So hows the road handling on the Lockright? Personally, I spend more time on the road, than off road, so I don't want something that make some hellacious rattling noise at every turn and burning down the tires quickly. C-clip? That I dont know, what are you talking about b/c I'm not much of a gearhead? Thanks,
-John
 
Put the locker in the front. The D35 is too weak. I broke mine with the 4 popper on 33's in the rock garden at Tellico last year. Anf the 4 popper was only running on 3 pops! But if you must buy one used I got mine for $150. If you have anyquestions I've done the install twice on as none c clip so far. But if you must get one I'd get the Lock-Right. That is what I have in the rear and I just scored one for the front.

As for handling I bairly notice it. Except on tight turns. It does pop some but not that much IMHO!
 
Gearing and properly applied torque will help any axle live a lot longer. I had my Lock-righted 4.10 D35, non-c-clip (if it matters) with 33" MTR's and my 4.0l. Never broke a shaft or had any other kind of failure. I toke the axle trough the Con, Ershim and a few other nice trails. I do have a Mannual transmision also. The only trouble I have had with it so far is when I sold it to a neighbor.

Here is a link to some of the quirks he isn't pleased with. Otherwise the locker and axle are working like they should.

http://www.naxja.org/forum/showthread.php?t=20934
 
Last edited:
So,overall, if I got my 90'XJ's D35 axle with 31" tires professionally installed LOCK-RIGHT in the rear,....I would NOT notice that much differance, just popping noise on tight curves and wheelin'?

I just dont want to end up with this loud, iritating automatic locker in the rear that causes more harm than good.

P.S.- I would think installing a lockright on the D30 would be a lot more iritating b/c of the more independence in tire movement.
What do y'll think?
Thanks,
-JOhn
 
ShipleyCSA said:
So,overall, if I got my 90'XJ's D35 axle with 31" tires professionally installed LOCK-RIGHT in the rear,....I would NOT notice that much differance, just popping noise on tight curves and wheelin'?

I just dont want to end up with this loud, iritating automatic locker in the rear that causes more harm than good.

P.S.- I would think installing a lockright on the D30 would be a lot more iritating b/c of the more independence in tire movement.
What do y'll think?
Thanks,
-JOhn


I can't say anything about a lockright in a D30. I definitely wouldn't waste money on the D35 getting the lockright professionally installed.

When you do it yourself your gain the expierence you need incase you have a failure on the trail. You don't need any special tools and it can easily be done in one day.
 
ChuckD said:
I can't say anything about a lockright in a D30. I definitely wouldn't waste money on the D35 getting the lockright professionally installed.

When you do it yourself your gain the expierence you need incase you have a failure on the trail. You don't need any special tools and it can easily be done in one day.
Ok, I might give it a shot. But still dont have much experience with rearends, but I got a friend I think that can help.
 
ShipleyCSA said:
So,overall, if I got my 90'XJ's D35 axle with 31" tires professionally installed LOCK-RIGHT in the rear,....I would NOT notice that much differance, just popping noise on tight curves and wheelin'?

I just dont want to end up with this loud, iritating automatic locker in the rear that causes more harm than good.

Have you driven a vehicle with a locker before? You WILL notice that it's there, both in terms of handling as you go around corners and in terms of pops and noises. The handling characteristics will be mostly the same regardless of what type of automatic locker you put in, but in terms of noise some are smoother than others. The No-Slip is from the same company as the LockRight, costs a lot more, and is a bit quieter on pavement. But no automatic locker is "transparent" on the street.

If you are not prepared to accept the handling quirks of an automatic locker, you might be better off with a limited slip.
 
Just buy a used Lock-Right and put it in yourself. Save your spider gears. If you can't stand the rear locker, take it out and you can probably sell it for almost the same as what you paid for it to somebody else on the board here. I didn't like my first ever Detroit in the rear axle, but I was kind of stuck, couldn't pull it out like you can a lunchbox locker.
 
Ghost said:
Put the locker in the front. The D35 is too weak. I broke mine with the 4 popper on 33's in the rock garden at Tellico last year. Anf the 4 popper was only running on 3 pops! But if you must buy one used I got mine for $150. If you have anyquestions I've done the install twice on as none c clip so far. But if you must get one I'd get the Lock-Right. That is what I have in the rear and I just scored one for the front.

As for handling I bairly notice it. Except on tight turns. It does pop some but not that much IMHO!

Do you a disconnect or non-disconnect dana 30? I want to get a locker for my dana 30 but didn't know how it handled on the road. I use my xj for off-road but need to be able to drive to trails sometimes a few hundred miles. Do you notice the lock-rite in 2 wheel drive when power isn't being sent to it from the t-case or only in 4 wheel. I hear different things from different people. What do you think?
 
Get a EZ locker for the Dana 30 its very quiet and you will hardly no its even there. This is what I have in my Dana 30 on my TJ. I have the Detroit locker on my Super35 and you will hear the poping sound once in awile and you will diffently know its there. When in 2wd the locker in the Dana 30 will go unnoticed.

Also you might consider a Terra 2low so you can disengage the locker when your on the trail.
 
Last edited:
Apparently, some people with the disco D30 front have a problem with the vehicle pulling to the left with the installation of a lunchbox locker up front.

As far as the rear goes, I run a Lock-Right in my 4.10 geared D35 turning 33x13.50x15 Swamper LTB's. I have thrown down the throttle plenty of times with the 4.0 HO and haven't had any problems yet. But, many people do have problems with similar setups.

You will notice the locker in the rear, but it isn't all that bad. Mine pulls very slightly to one side when I'm on the gas, then pulls very slightly the other way when I'm coasting. Before the locker, it pulled one way already. Occasionally I get a pop from the rear end, but nothing too major. Other than that, it works flawlessly. 100% traction off road and pretty mild road manners. SOOPER SIMPLE to install. I'd recommend it to anyone.

Jared
 
I,ve got a 96 with a lockright in the D30. Installed it in about 2hrs. One week later drove from Ill. to Utah. In 2wd you will not notice it. Makes a huge diff. offroad. JIM.
 
Back
Top