Jhumphrey
NAXJA Forum User
- Location
- Nashville, TN
Hey All,
So I'm starting to research lockers for my XJ. I have read many threads on the "never ending which is better: front or rear" debate and am no closer to making a decision. So...I turn to you. My XJ is a 4.0, NP231, AW4 trans. It has 3.55 gears (and I dont plan to regear in the future...I did that with my YJ and it was a HUGE mistake).
Anyway, the jeep isn't a DD (I have a work vehicle, my wife has her own car). So, the XJ is my play toy but could be (and would be) used as a backup vehicle if I needed to go somewhere and the wifey is gone in "her" car or she may drive it if we get a bout of snow/ice in the area for more ground clearance. The jeep has a 3" lift with 31" mud terrain tires on it right now.
I've been going over the various lockers available to me (I have a dana 30HP front, Chrysler 8.25 with an unknown spline count due to it being harvested from another XJ from the PO). I'm debating between selectable locker (OX) or an auto (Aussie). Then, I have to decide: front, rear, or both. Now I know what you're thinking: that's a stark contrast between locker types and the second question is a no brainer. But, it goes a little deeper than that, which I plan to lay out below.
Front
Auto (~$250): I had a spartan locker in the front of my YJ (D30HP). It was beefy and worked really well. I never experienced any bad "side effects", but turning the wheel was a bit more "difficult" (for a lack of a better description) when in 4wd (as expected) and the steering wheel liked to "fight" me. I had also heard about "steering wheel spin" happening and breaking wrist...though I never experienced something that terrible. What was great about it was the cost vs. quality factor. The negative (from what Ive read) is that the constant "on" in 4wd of the locker wears splines,etc. out quicker. As our vehicles age, that means replacing axle shafts could get more difficult since the JY is being picked clean. If I were to go this route again, I would get an Aussie (the only reason I got Spartan was because they were in stock and I was tired of waiting for an Aussie to come back around). In the end, why I am considering this option is because I had a good experience with the Spartan and the price point is, obviously, excellent.
Selectable (~$850+): I have never used one, but have read they are good. OX (I am not interested in ARB) knows this and charges accordingly. What I like about this idea is that I can use 4wd without having to worry about the "constant on" and wearing of parts when I'm hunting or whatever. Also, if my wife is driving, she doesn't have to remember that the front wheels are locked (and neither do I!). The negatives to this is cost factor (of course) and having to route cables that could potentially get stripped out (though I know OX has a device to get out with...for yet another price). It seems like a nickel and dime grab with them to hide the "real" cost of their locker as they charge for the locker, cable, AND actuator device separately. It adds up quick.
Rear
Auto (~$300): I have read many threads that talk about auto lockers in the rear of the vehicle is very acceptable since the wheels dont track like the front. Also, auto lockers will unlock as long as you aren't applying torque to the wheels as you negotiate a curve. Once again, the price seems good but the "con" is that if the wearing of parts is true, then it would seem that these would go out on a regular basis due to in constantly being "on" regardless of 2wd/4wd status. I could also see you being "pushed" into a spin if you apply torque at the wrong time while going down the road.
Selectable (~$1,000): The only plus I seem to see in this setup is that I can turn it on when I want and not when I don't. The price is very hard to swallow.
So, if you've read this far, I commend you! So any suggestions that could be made in what combination of locker setup would be helpful. For those that are wondering, I trail ride at local 4wd parks (at least I did with my YJ, havent taken the XJ out on a true run yet). I would say that the trails are fairly light, but I do encounter 5 to 6 rated trails (http://www.cruisemoab.com/trail-rating-system.asp) at those parks on a semi-regular basis.
My initial leaning is to go with Auto lockers for a multitude of reasons. If I were to go selectable, I would have to wait (and save) for a very long time to make that possible (as that is a $2,000 price tag, plus install cost, which a bit of a bitter pill for what I paid for the XJ to start with). So, back to more reading and awaiting replies with some direction for me to go now!
So I'm starting to research lockers for my XJ. I have read many threads on the "never ending which is better: front or rear" debate and am no closer to making a decision. So...I turn to you. My XJ is a 4.0, NP231, AW4 trans. It has 3.55 gears (and I dont plan to regear in the future...I did that with my YJ and it was a HUGE mistake).
Anyway, the jeep isn't a DD (I have a work vehicle, my wife has her own car). So, the XJ is my play toy but could be (and would be) used as a backup vehicle if I needed to go somewhere and the wifey is gone in "her" car or she may drive it if we get a bout of snow/ice in the area for more ground clearance. The jeep has a 3" lift with 31" mud terrain tires on it right now.
I've been going over the various lockers available to me (I have a dana 30HP front, Chrysler 8.25 with an unknown spline count due to it being harvested from another XJ from the PO). I'm debating between selectable locker (OX) or an auto (Aussie). Then, I have to decide: front, rear, or both. Now I know what you're thinking: that's a stark contrast between locker types and the second question is a no brainer. But, it goes a little deeper than that, which I plan to lay out below.
Front
Auto (~$250): I had a spartan locker in the front of my YJ (D30HP). It was beefy and worked really well. I never experienced any bad "side effects", but turning the wheel was a bit more "difficult" (for a lack of a better description) when in 4wd (as expected) and the steering wheel liked to "fight" me. I had also heard about "steering wheel spin" happening and breaking wrist...though I never experienced something that terrible. What was great about it was the cost vs. quality factor. The negative (from what Ive read) is that the constant "on" in 4wd of the locker wears splines,etc. out quicker. As our vehicles age, that means replacing axle shafts could get more difficult since the JY is being picked clean. If I were to go this route again, I would get an Aussie (the only reason I got Spartan was because they were in stock and I was tired of waiting for an Aussie to come back around). In the end, why I am considering this option is because I had a good experience with the Spartan and the price point is, obviously, excellent.
Selectable (~$850+): I have never used one, but have read they are good. OX (I am not interested in ARB) knows this and charges accordingly. What I like about this idea is that I can use 4wd without having to worry about the "constant on" and wearing of parts when I'm hunting or whatever. Also, if my wife is driving, she doesn't have to remember that the front wheels are locked (and neither do I!). The negatives to this is cost factor (of course) and having to route cables that could potentially get stripped out (though I know OX has a device to get out with...for yet another price). It seems like a nickel and dime grab with them to hide the "real" cost of their locker as they charge for the locker, cable, AND actuator device separately. It adds up quick.
Rear
Auto (~$300): I have read many threads that talk about auto lockers in the rear of the vehicle is very acceptable since the wheels dont track like the front. Also, auto lockers will unlock as long as you aren't applying torque to the wheels as you negotiate a curve. Once again, the price seems good but the "con" is that if the wearing of parts is true, then it would seem that these would go out on a regular basis due to in constantly being "on" regardless of 2wd/4wd status. I could also see you being "pushed" into a spin if you apply torque at the wrong time while going down the road.
Selectable (~$1,000): The only plus I seem to see in this setup is that I can turn it on when I want and not when I don't. The price is very hard to swallow.
So, if you've read this far, I commend you! So any suggestions that could be made in what combination of locker setup would be helpful. For those that are wondering, I trail ride at local 4wd parks (at least I did with my YJ, havent taken the XJ out on a true run yet). I would say that the trails are fairly light, but I do encounter 5 to 6 rated trails (http://www.cruisemoab.com/trail-rating-system.asp) at those parks on a semi-regular basis.
My initial leaning is to go with Auto lockers for a multitude of reasons. If I were to go selectable, I would have to wait (and save) for a very long time to make that possible (as that is a $2,000 price tag, plus install cost, which a bit of a bitter pill for what I paid for the XJ to start with). So, back to more reading and awaiting replies with some direction for me to go now!
