Dana 35 vs Ford 8.8. with Eaton e-locker

[Lanfe1n]

Hey everyone!

Heads up this is going to be wordy.. So here is the deal I am looking to regear and add a rear locker. I was going to just keep the Dana 35 and run 4.88 with Eaton e-locker. After doing some research I have found countless threads with people arguing over auto lockers in snow and ice. I live in Michigan and we get hammered with snow so this is why I wanted the e-locker. My friend who is way more knowledgeable than myself when it comes to off reading and all this fun jazz told me to get a Ford 8.8 with a Detroit locker. This is because apparently the e-locker for the 8.8 is weak? I am nervous about running a Detroit locker because of all the stories I have read.

The main question is should I keep the Dana 35 or go with the 8.8? I plan on running 35’s in the future.

what are your opinions on the Eaton e locker?

thanks in advance!

-Nick

 

[JMT]

The Dana 35 shouldn’t be locked even with 33’s, so that is definitely out. If you do a Super 35 you will be good to go up to 35’s.

The Eaton E Locker is a great locker. They are highly dependable and highly recommended by some of the best in the business. I run one on a Dana 44. I would do so again and hope to switch over to one in my Dana 30 soon.

You do not want a Detroit on snow/ice. Go with a selectable.

 

[89grand]

You could also do a Detroit Truetrac and 1541 rear axle shafts for the Dana 35 if you don't beat the shit out of it off road. The Truetrac should be nice in the snow. If you plan on running 35's later, a Super 35 with an ARB would be a nice setup, and a lot easier to do than a Ford 8.8.

 

[Brian83]

a Super 35 with a Eaton E Locker will be cheaper than building an locked 8.8

 

[GASnBRASS]

For snow definitely get a selectable locker such as the elocker, ARB, OX, etc.

I would not recommend regearing a stock Dana 35 for 35" tires, even with new shafts.

Your cheapest axle option is probably a super 35 kit since you already have the axle housing. A ford 8.8 would require the added cost of control arm brackets and labor to weld them in the proper positions. Another option is a Dana 44 rear axle, which is a bolt in affair.

 

[LJ Jesse]

I have also heard that the 8.8 elocker is not good. We have run eaton elockers front and rear in my wife's TJ for 11 years, and they have been flawless. We have wheeled that Jeep pretty hard and broken CrMo front stub axle shafts with never any damage to the elocker. That is with Dana 44s front and rear. I would highly recommend them, but not for an 8.8 - It is a different design.

 

[JMT]

@ac_ runs an EatonE-Locker in an 8.8. I think he was able to get it all done rather cheaply. An 8.8 does hang down further, but it’s a solid axle.

 

[someguysjeep]

30 in ohio w/4.88's in it, 300$ and a long ride. whats the axle you got look like and how much to regear?
https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/279522759661026/

matched 4.88 30/44 w/lockers here.
https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/310213379760390/

look around you'd be surprised what is out there.

 

[astjp2]

Hey everyone!

Heads up this is going to be wordy.. So here is the deal I am looking to regear and add a rear locker. I was going to just keep the Dana 35 and run 4.88 with Eaton e-locker. After doing some research I have found countless threads with people arguing over auto lockers in snow and ice. I live in Michigan and we get hammered with snow so this is why I wanted the e-locker. My friend who is way more knowledgeable than myself when it comes to off reading and all this fun jazz told me to get a Ford 8.8 with a Detroit locker. This is because apparently the e-locker for the 8.8 is weak? I am nervous about running a Detroit locker because of all the stories I have read.

The main question is should I keep the Dana 35 or go with the 8.8? I plan on running 35’s in the future.

what are your opinions on the Eaton e locker?

thanks in advance!

-Nick

Your friend is an idiot for wanting to run a Detroit locker over any selectable locker in the winter.

 

[Jerry Bransford]

I'm a huge fan of the Detroit Locker but I would not run one if I wanted to drive on ice or snow-covered streets, and especially on ice-covered trails where they are humorously known as "low-side finders". That is because they like to cause the axle to slide downward if the surface is sloped.