more locker questions

[bmxdude151]

so im looking at getting lockers for my jeep. im wondering what the pros and cons are of locking the front and rear. :read: im thinking of doing a spool in the rear and an aussie or a spartan in the front. my jeep is a 99 cherokee sport, 4.0, auto 33s 4.5 short arm lift 33s. i have thought about regearing but its not a necessity at this point. my jeep is daily driven and i know a spool isnt the greatest idea for a dd. but i wheel it almost every weekend or every other weekend and it varies from fooling around in the snow to some swamps dunes hill climbs and trails. what are the effects on gas mileage (if any). how reliable are they? im going to college in the fall and my jeep will more than likely be going with me. so your guys input would be great!
thanks jeff! atriot:

 

[tj'sxj]

ive been locked in the rear for years before i did the front! so i have no opinion there, but i did a ton of research in the spartan, aussie, powertrax lockers, i chose the spartan as they are just built better and even looks more dependable, and has less parts for installation, and the install itself was a snap as i am a try first, then look @ pics, and if all else fails read directions kinda guy! a spool is 150 bucks, a ratcheting locker ie_spartan is 255 bucks @this moment @ baseline4x4, so for an extra bill you will save those new tires on your rig!and you can resell a locker much easier than a spool! just a thought..

 

[stroked88]

ive been locked in the rear for years before i did the front! so i have no opinion there, but i did a ton of research in the spartan, aussie, powertrax lockers, i chose the spartan as they are just built better and even looks more dependable, and has less parts for installation, and the install itself was a snap as i am a try first, then look @ pics, and if all else fails read directions kinda guy! a spool is 150 bucks, a ratcheting locker ie_spartan is 255 bucks @this moment @ baseline4x4, so for an extra bill you will save those new tires on your rig!and you can resell a locker much easier than a spool! just a thought..

this^ plus, if you're not going to regear, i wouldnt want to mess with a spool and having to set the gears back up, and not get a change in ratio

 

[chassellbandit]

I've run an aussie in the front only for the last 7 years or so and love it. I'd do it the same way if i were to start over. No problems getting squirrely in the snow/ice, jeep just pulls. JMHO

 

[Rod Knee]

If you have the np242 tc and use full time 4wd for winter driving, you don't want a front auto locker living in Michigan.

 

[bmxdude151]

I have heard hills can be a little scary with a locker. Will a locker effect the strength of my axles at all?

 

[catchmytalon]

i ran an aussie in the front of my cherokee on 35s for years as a DD. the axles arent any weaker but being locked has both tires driving so IMO the u joints become the weak point when your turning and on the gas. if you run the 297x joint they are a lot stronger and wont have as many issues breaking them. and like Rod Knee said a ratcheting locker with the np242 doesnt seem like a good idea for on road driving

 

[Johnnie Walker]

i ran an aussie in the front of my cherokee on 35s for years as a DD. the axles arent any weaker but being locked has both tires driving so IMO the u joints become the weak point when your turning and on the gas. if you run the 297x joint they are a lot stronger and wont have as many issues breaking them. and like Rod Knee said a ratcheting locker with the np242 doesnt seem like a good idea for on road driving

As far as the np242 goes, basically an auto locker in the front would not allow the frint wheels to spin at their own speed and lock them, therefore full-time is non-existant.
I would go rear locker if you only do one. Either way, insert locker is the way to go, unless you go selectable, but thats more $$$.

 

[bmxdude151]

So it makes it a little trickier cornering I'm 4wd? Wouldn't you just be able yo keep off the gas while cornering and be good?

 

[rockclimber]

so im looking at getting lockers for my jeep. im wondering what the pros and cons are of locking the front and rear.

the having the front locked will pull you over things, having the rear locked will push you into them.

im thinking of doing a spool in the rear and an aussie or a spartan in the front.my jeep is a 99 cherokee sport, 4.0, auto 33s 4.5 short arm lift 33s

what rear axle. I would never put any locker into a D35.

i have thought about regearing but its not a necessity at this point. my jeep is daily driven and i know a spool isnt the greatest idea for a dd.

if you do a spool, you might as well re-gear since half the gear job has to be done to set up the spool anyway

but i wheel it almost every weekend or every other weekend and it varies from fooling around in the snow to some swamps dunes hill climbs and trails.

you probably want a rear locker for that kind of wheeling.

what are the effects on gas mileage (if any). how reliable are they?

none. depends on the axle.

im going to college in the fall and my jeep will more than likely be going with me. so your guys input would be great!
thanks jeff!

don't do a spool. just my .02

I have heard hills can be a little scary with a locker.

who told you that? if anything they will make hills less scary because you will be able to make it up them

Will a locker effect the strength of my axles at all?

yes and no. an open differential will absorb much of the shock when a tire that is spinning grabs, provided the other side can slip. although it is still possible to break a shaft with an open carrier it is much less likely.

don't worry about the turning radius when you are wheeling, you wheel in soft terrain that can slip, your turning radius will not suffer much from being locked.