05 Flame Red TJ Build
- Thread starter JMT
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My pace on the Dana 44 axle/re-gear has slowed down to something reminiscent of @bobthetj03’s build, so bear with me. This week I planned to use the few minutes I had to install the new ring gear on the TracLok Carrier. When I went out in the garage to do it, the ten bolts that came with the Revolution gears wouldn’t fit through the holes in the carrier. I was like, what? So I asked @Rob5589 and he said he’d never run across that, but to just drill them out. So, I did that, it was just a hair, I think I used a 7/16”
Then I was in teh quagmire of holding the carrier while torquing down the bolts to the ring gear to 60 ft/lbs. My vice was too small. I called a friend and he had an extra vice he just gave me. I got it home and cleaned it up, greased the important parts and mounted it on the bench. Jaws on this thing are 5 1/2”, just enough for the carrier. I managed to get the new ring gear on with medium duty blue loctite and torqued to spec.
Then I was in teh quagmire of holding the carrier while torquing down the bolts to the ring gear to 60 ft/lbs. My vice was too small. I called a friend and he had an extra vice he just gave me. I got it home and cleaned it up, greased the important parts and mounted it on the bench. Jaws on this thing are 5 1/2”, just enough for the carrier. I managed to get the new ring gear on with medium duty blue loctite and torqued to spec.
I read about lunchbox lockers all the time, pls forgive the NooB question as I may be the only one that doesn't understand.
Is a lunchbox an automatic locker?
There are no wires or air hose to connect, right (?) Idk.
Any idea why it's called lunchbox?
Is your Powertrax an automatic locker?
Thank you for addressing these rookie questions.
Powertrax is classified as a lunchbox locker. There are no wires, you just remove your carrier and it replaces the spider gears, then reinsert the carrier. Yes, it’s automatic in that when you go into 4WD it automatically engages. The good thing about the Powertrax over an Aussie, is it does not click. So it’s essentially invisible on a DD, until you get in 4WD and get the benefits of a full locker at less than half the cost, and it’s a DIY mod.
Don’t know why it’s calles a lunchbox.
Lunchbox lockers replace the spider gears inside a common carrier. Full Case lockers (like ARB, Eaton, etc) use the whole carrier assembly to achieve lock, so there is much more surface area. The extra surface area equals strength. The term lunchbox probably comes from the fact they are so small. when you buy them, they most definitely can fit in a lunchbox!
My dad occasionally calls the one in his CJ5 a suitcase locker. That comes from about 25 years ago.
The clicking, ratcheting, doesn't bother most people who are committed to these types of lockers.Beautiful, thanks JMT that's just the info I was looking for.
I am starting to worry about being done in time myself. I may have to take a short cut, and do the same up front. I am spending cash like I have it. This rear end is is costing more than I budget for. It was reasonable, but then I decided to completely rebuild all of the ebrakes and brakes and replace all of the brake lines. Just for parts is 500 bucks, that I didn't originally plan on buying, then it is going to be another 1500 for the front diff doing it myself, So I need some of my oil stocks to go up soon, or I may have to cheap out on the front too. I really don't want to do it twice, so that is definitely motivation, but do I really need two Eaton E-lockers? Well yeah! but can I? We'll see.
Hey bro, step by step. You’re doing good. We still have some time. What do you have to do up front? Regear and some kind of locker? Just stay focused on getting done what you need to get done. The rest can wait. I’d be locking front and rear during my regear, but I don’t have the oil stock money! And I think I’ll be fine for our trip with the locked front and LS rear. You’re already at 4” Lift and well on your way with your axles. Good work.
I will tell you I'm the only guy in my wheeling group with selectable lockers, front and rear. Most of the guys I run with have a spartan locker up front on a Dana 30. Its barely noticeable driving around on the street (you might hear it in parking lots and such) but it works really well on the trail. I wouldn't hesitate to run one of those on your set-up. Selectable in the rear, lunchbox up front will work out great for you, I'd imagine.
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Honestly, you are waaaayyyyy overthinking a minor "tick, tick, tick" while taking a turn. Being topless, tires, noisy manuals, etc, are louder and more annoying than the Aussie on turns.
Don't be so worried about it. I've wheeled my jeep for 13 years with and open front and factory Traclok in the rear. Never once did I say to myself as I'm climbing thru the Rubicon, or Moab, or anywhere else " Man I wish I had a locker!" Yeah, they are nice to have, and they do make certain obstacles "easier" to climb, but they also "dumb up" the wheeling experience a bit. I mean that in a good way, so you guys with lockers, don't get all butt hurt now.
I appreciate all of the support from you guys. I just kind of had a plan and along with some poor planning, but still a plan, and my plans were sort of goals. I know the Jeeps are more than capable with no lockers, but after having front and rear ARB's I am pretty spoiled. Plus I don't like not reaching my goals. What I need to do maybe, is change my goals or sell some more stock lol.
I just bought a new to me used 3/4 truck, so I am reeling a little from that too. plus I am trying to find a decent car trailer. The stuff I am finding is either astronomical or junk, so I am still kind of saving and waiting for that too. I may have taken on more than I can chew! Well see, that is kind of the fun of it all right?
I couldn’t tell you how many times my plans have changed. Part of that was due to early stupidity. But lately it’s been due to meeting goals, money and time. Part of the fun is finding more than one way to build these things. The lunchbox up front is a great choice for me, I think. It’s not as strong a selectable, but for my purposes up front I won’t need more strength. We also don’t get snow and ice except one every 5 years for a day or two. So, why drop all that dough on a selectable? I can also do it myself and get tons of pleasure out of that, which is half of the fun. It’s okay to modify plans, as long as you reach the goal.
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