Super 35: Yukon Grizzly or Auburn Selec-A-Loc

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TJX02

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I have access to either of these options for my upcoming Super 35 build and wanted to get your thoughts. From the research I've done, neither are ideal, but I'd like to choose the lesser of two evils.

I primarily drive on concrete/asphalt, so I'm not so thrilled about the Grizzly auto locker. The Auburn sounds great in theory, due to its selectable e-lock design, but everyone here seems to hate it.

I do not wheel hard or often. I'm more of a pavement princess, but I do want to be able to wheel hard when I do, hence why I want to go the S35 locker route. I'm leaning toward the Grizzly, but worry about how it will affect my on-roading experience. Which of the two would you go with?
 
Grizzly is a good locker but not for your needs. I wouldn’t run either of those in your situation.
 
Jerry Bransford said:
Why such a limited choice with two second-rate lockers? Personally I'd push for Eaton's E-Locker.
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Jerry can you elaborate on the advantages/disadvantages of the e locker vs air locker? In my mind an electronic locker would be more reliable, since no air lines or compressor needed, but maybe e Lockers have their own reliability issues in water/muddy situations? I'm curious because I too eventually plan super 30/35 upgrades to my stock axles.
 
Electric lockers like Eaton's E-Locker lhave no more disadvantages in wet or muddy conditions than any other electrical devices like the starter motor, electrically actuated locker compressors for the Rubicon, fuel pump, gas gauge sender, etc. I like that a simple on-off switch controls the E-Locker vs. needing an air compressor plus the electrical circuit. Though in no way am I saying an ARB Air Locker would be a bad choice either.
 
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Hm, good points. I may just hold off on the S35 altogether. I wanted to do it when I re-gear, but now leaning toward re-gearing the Dana 35 with an open diff and stock 27 spline shafts.

Perhaps I will go with an option Jerry has mentioned in another thread:

Dana 35 open diff with Dana 30 lunchbox up front

That way I can auto-lock only in 4WD, which I rarely use. Then, down the line I can re-evaluate priority of rear-locking S35 (selectable) based on my driving/wheeling needs.

I currently run 33s and don't have plans to step up to 35s, so the S35 would mainly be for enabling a rear locker and peace of mind when wheeling hard.
 
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TJX02 said:
Hm, good points. I may just hold off on the S35 altogether. I wanted to do it when I re-gear, but now leaning toward re-gearing the Dana 35 with an open diff and stock 27 spline shafts.

Perhaps I will go with an option Jerry has mentioned in another thread:

Dana 35 open diff with Dana 30 lunchbox up front

That way I can auto-lock only in 4WD, which I rarely use. Then, down the line I can re-evaluate priority of rear-locking S35 (selectable) based on my driving/wheeling needs.

I currently run 33s and don't have plans to step up to 35s, so the S35 would mainly be for enabling a rear locker and peace of mind when wheeling hard.
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I'm in same boat with an open Dana 35, and also on 33s. My next major upgrade I'd like to do a revolution s35 kit with a selectable locker, leaning towards ARB because I like the idea of having onboard air anyway, and as Jerry mentioned above, both ARB and Eaton systems are good. I'd also do the revolution s30 for the front axle as well however I'm torn on whether to just do a lunchbox type locker and save a little $, or go full selectable on front a well.
 
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I'm in same boat with an open Dana 35, and also on 33s. My next major upgrade I'd like to do a revolution s35 kit with a selectable locker, leaning towards ARB because I like the idea of having onboard air anyway, and as Jerry mentioned above, both ARB and Eaton systems are good. I'd also do the revolution s30 for the front axle as well however I'm torn on whether to just do a lunchbox type locker and save a little $, or go full selectable on front a well.
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Selectable lockers in front and rear would be really sweet, but the frequency and intensity that you wheel is what might justify it. From what I've read an S30 up front would be overkill on 33s, since the Dana 30 accepts chromoly 27S shafts, which are more than strong enough for a locker even with bigger tires.

I've also been debating about going air for selectable rear, when I eventually go that route. Being able to release tire pressure on trail and refill for the ride home seems like a good bonus. Not sure if the onboard compressor can power air tools but thought would be another pro.
 
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TJX02 said:
Selectable lockers in front and rear would be really sweet, but the frequency and intensity that you wheel is what might justify it. From what I've read an S30 up front would be overkill on 33s, since the Dana 30 accepts chromoly 27S shafts, which are more than strong enough for a locker even with bigger tires.

I've also been debating about going air for selectable rear, when I eventually go that route. Being able to release tire pressure on trail and refill for the ride home seems like a good bonus. Not sure if the onboard compressor can power air tools but thought would be another pro.
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That's good to know about the Dana 30, I'll have to read up on that.
 
Save up a little more and go for a 30-spline ARB air locker or Eaton E-locker. After extensive research those were the only two I would even consider. I went with the ARB…
 
I have an auto locker up front and a selectable e-locker in the rear. 5 years and still going strong. I love it, though I’d probably prefer an e-locker up front. However, that’s mostly bc I live in snow and ice. I also occasionally forget to turn off the e-locker. The auto is nice in that respect. Tough decision. I did like being able to install the auto locker myself, and the price is right.
 
JMT said:
I have an auto locker up front and a selectable e-locker in the rear. 5 years and still going strong. I love it, though I’d probably prefer an e-locker up front. However, that’s mostly bc I live in snow and ice. I also occasionally forget to turn off the e-locker. The auto is nice in that respect. Tough decision. I did like being able to install the auto locker myself, and the price is right.
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Why the preference for an e-locker vs auto up front? Does the front auto-locker ever engage on-road in 2WD?
 
TJX02 said:
Why the preference for an e-locker vs auto up front? Does the front auto-locker ever engage on-road in 2WD?
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I've never had the front auto-locker engage on-road in 2WD. It's a PowerTrax No Slip. It's invisible in 2WD. Once you shift the TCase into 4H the auto-locker engages.

My only preference for an e-locker up front is that I can be in 4H and not have the locker on. This would help me in winter driving on snow and ice.
 
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JMT said:
I've never had the front auto-locker engage on-road in 2WD. It's a PowerTrax No Slip. It's invisible in 2WD. Once you shift the TCase into 4H the auto-locker engages.

My only preference for an e-locker up front is that I can be in 4H and not have the locker on. This would help me in winter driving on snow and ice.
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Thanks for sharing, that's good to know! I don't encounter any ice or snow so a front auto-locker might be the route I take.
 
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TJX02 said:
Thanks for sharing, that's good to know! I don't encounter any ice or snow so a front auto-locker might be the route I take.
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In your environment, I agree. A front lunchbox locker is one of the best bang for your buck mods. I like the PowerTrax No Slip because it is invisible in 2H, and there are no bad manners like popping or clicking.
 
JMT said:
In your environment, I agree. A front lunchbox locker is one of the best bang for your buck mods. I like the PowerTrax No Slip because it is invisible in 2H, and there are no bad manners like popping or clicking.
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Awesome. I've heard good things about the PowerTrax No Slip but your experience is the reassurance I needed to hear. I know the popping and clicking would bother me since I'll primarily be on-road driving.

Glad I could finalize my plans for the regear:
  • Dana 30: PowerTrax No Slip
  • Dana 35: Open diff
Eventually I'll probably go with the S35 eaton in the rear, but this should hold me over sufficiently until then.
 
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Jerry Bransford said:
Electric lockers like Eaton's E-Locker lhave no more disadvantages in wet or muddy conditions than any other electrical devices like the starter motor, electrically actuated locker compressors for the Rubicon, fuel pump, gas gauge sender, etc. I like that a simple on-off switch controls the E-Locker vs. needing an air compressor plus the electrical circuit. Though in no way am I saying an ARB Air Locker would be a bad choice either.
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@Jerry Bransford does tru trac make a locker for the Dana 35?
 
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NskLJ said:
@Jerry Bransford does tru trac make a locker for the Dana 35?
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A Truetrac is available for the Dana 35 but that's a limited slip differential not a locker. The article linked to below covers the substantial differences between a locker and a limited slip differential. Sorry it's a bit lengthy lol. https://wranglertjforum.com/threads/why-do-i-need-a-locker-i-thought-i-had-four-wheel-drive.38643/

And to be sure, a limited slip differential is the only right choice for a stock Dana 35. Though it can be upgraded so it is, a stock Dana 35 is not strong enough for a locker.

Which is best for you, a locker or limited slip differential, depends on where and how you wheel.
 
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Jerry Bransford said:
A Truetrac is available for the Dana 35 but that's a limited slip differential not a locker. The article linked to below covers the substantial differences between a locker and a limited slip differential. Sorry it's a bit lengthy lol. https://wranglertjforum.com/threads/why-do-i-need-a-locker-i-thought-i-had-four-wheel-drive.38643/

And to be sure, a limited slip differential is the only right choice for a stock Dana 35. Though it can be upgraded so it is, a stock Dana 35 is not strong enough for a locker.

Which is best for you, a locker or limited slip differential, depends on where and how you wheel.
Click to expand...

Sounds like it might be good for the OP
 
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NskLJ said:
Sounds like it might be good for the OP
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Agree that LSD Dana 35 (27S) would be a great complement to the No Slip Dana 30 up front, but I just cannot justify a Truetrac investment when my end goal is to go S35. Since all of my driving is in a dry, temperate climate I'm okay for now with spider gears in the rear.

An S35 Truetrac would be an interesting consideration but I only see a Detroit and e-locker from Eaton in a 30-spline configuration. And since I am primarily on-road driving, I've read that the Detroit would offer a poor experience.
 
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