Installing No/Slip LBL / Are New U/Joints a Necessity?

[Thumper4fun]

I'm in the middle of installing a No-Slip Lunch Box Locker in my Dana 30. Had planned to install new Spicer U-Joints but the ones in the axles look great. My rig only has 70K miles on it so I'm rethinking swapping out the u-joints. Is this a mistake?

Who has added a lunch box locker without swapping u-joints and what were your results?

 

[Jerry Bransford]

Based on your findings I wouldn't worry about the u-joints yet. 70k miles is not a lot for the factory Spicer axle shaft u-joints.

 

[whitrzac]

If one of your 16 year old U joints with 70k on them fail. It destroys the axleshaft and you have to limp out on 2wd, unless you carry spares.

They're like $20 each, just replace them.

 

[Rec_Rider]

I don't know if you need to replace them due to adding the locker however it wouldn't hurt. I had the failure whitrzac mentioned which destroyed both inner and outer shafts. Small $ to prevent larger $$ is rarely a bad idea.

 

[Rob5589]

I would. As well as replacing the inner axle seals. Only 70k but, 20+ years old.