Locker options

[AaronC.]

My pinion gear broke this morning so i figured it's a good opportunity to throw a locker in there while it's apart. What do you guys recommend in order to maintain decent on-road driveability, but isn't too awfully priced? 97 with a 2.5L, manual, 33's & 4.88 gears btw.

 

[NashvilleTJ]

My pinion gear broke this morning so i figured it's a good opportunity to throw a locker in there while it's apart. What do you guys recommend in order to maintain decent on-road driveability, but isn't too awfully priced? 97 with a 2.5L, manual, 33's & 4.88 gears btw.

Front or rear?

 

[AaronC.]

rear

 

[NashvilleTJ]

rear

Unless you've swapped in a Dana 44 or a super 35, putting a locker in a stock Dana 35 running 33's is not a good idea. It will break in short order.

 

[AaronC.]

Does it matter that i don't do hard off-roading? Would a LSD be a better option?

 

[NashvilleTJ]

Does it matter that i don't do hard off-roading? Would a LSD be a better option?

Nope, and yup....

I'll defer to others for a recommendation on an LSD - that's outside my wheelhouse.

 

[imahnu]

Does it matter that i don't do hard off-roading? Would a LSD be a better option?

I have truetracs and like them a lot. That being said they can be a liability in the rocks due to their design needing “traction” to lock up the diff.

A truetrac is better than nothing and better than any other lsd IMO but won’t compete with a locker in the rocks or anywhere where you can get tires off the ground.

I don’t need lockers where I’m at but if I rock crawled more id switch the trutracs out for lockers.

 

[AaronC.]

I'm from Northeast Pennsylvania so i don't rock crawl, just moderate trail riding. Mostly mud and snow is where i want to gain traction. Would it be wise to just rebuild the open diff for the rear and then throw an auto locker in the front for sticky situations? Or LSD in the rear and be done with it?

 

[imahnu]

I'm from Northeast Pennsylvania so i don't rock crawl, just moderate trail riding. Mostly mud and snow is where i want to gain traction. Would it be wise to just rebuild the open diff for the rear and then throw an auto locker in the front for sticky situations? Or LSD in the rear and be done with it?

I have no experience with a front auto locker but just pondering the situation I’d go with a truetrac in the rear. That’ll also be better for you driving in the snow and street than a front auto locker.

 

[pagrey]

I do have experience with a front auto locker and @imahnu has some great advice.

 

[freedom_in_4low]

If snow and mud is your terrain, I'd go with a truetrac.

 

[AaronC.]

thanks for the advice fellas, i'll start shopping for a truetrac then.

 

[AaronC.]

Well I finally got the Truetrac put in and it works great. I had a slight hiccup because the axle spacer that Eaton supplied was not big enough. According to their tech support it happens every one in a thousand or so ( lucky me), but fortunately there is a machine shop less than a block from me that was willing to make one to my specs in short order. Thanks again for the advice and recommendations.

 

[Fouledplugs]

Mostly mud

You want a selectable locker, 100%.

You will not want it in snowy conditions on the road, the selectables give you that but you will want it in the mud.

Not willing to spend the cash on a selectable is your main issue.

Edit: late to the party.