Lockers and what's wrong with my wussy TJ

[Robrt-Stephens]

When you mention failures are you refering to the Auburns? Or the Detroits? If your refering to the Auburns, I must say that they are just like a Lock Rite, and very easy to break. If you are refering to a Detroit, I have a hard time believing it because they are the tried and true locker of choice for many competitors, and if they were breaking while crossing logs, they surely would break behind a 300 hp motor while clmbing rocks the size of a VW. I must say though, that if I had the money, or time and expertise to set up ARB's, I would probably run one, at least in the front if I wanted a streetable rig. But the cost of them versus others out there (especially a spool for a trail rig) is just too much to bear. I also must add that ARB's and their price seem to be a little extreme for what Bill's setup is, 30's with a 2" lift. It makes more sense to stick with a cheaper alternative. If he wishes to progress further, then ARB's may be the route. But why dump the money into a D35 and D30? Save it for a custom axle or a swap. I also must add, I really welcome this debate. That is what makes these forums so fun, and also helps other people realize why others run what they run. Dont take any of my retorts as an attempt to argue or be rude, I am just interested in why you would choose an ARB over other, cheaper alternatives.

I'm sorry the wording syntax of that sentence inferred the Auburns. No, the Auburns were fine but hard on axles and stock components but they worked well. My reference explanation was with the detroits. I also grew to hate them for their lack of good workings in the winter in snow and ice heer in western Montana. (see the evidence of this on the behold site on coverage of the 'Evans Creek" run). They would pull me off the crown of the road and into the borrow pit. On corners on ice, going slow, the rear would come around to the front until 4x4 was engaged to stabilize the slide around. I needed and waited for a selectable locker.

Then, the ARB.

You were not rude whatsoever in your inquiry and response, just anexchange of information and experience, which I love to no end for learning new data with others experiences, as you pointed out one guy's data and workings might be 180 degree off from ours. Also, your comments about the rest of the suggestions and the 30 and the 35 are correct also. I agree.

The Detroits, at that time, were known for failure, noise, chattering, etc and the off road press at the time even addressed these downfalls. But that was 20+ years ago and I'm sure they are differnet now.

Is that more clear?

Great phone chat too!!!! Call again anytime.

406-755-9765-Ranch
406-249-0747-Cell

Thanks,

 

[mingez]

RE: How Many Here Have One Of These...........

Lockers will make a difference, both good and bad. Good is that it opens up a range of trails for you. Bad is that when you get stuck..you get stuck. I put mine in after 2yrs of wheeling with a trashloc on the rear 44 and open 30 up front. Have not looked back since.

That's so true. You get a sense of invincibility that you wouldn't have had before. Then, you attempt something beyond it's capability. Courage causes carnage.

 

[Sparky-Watts]

Courage causes carnage.

Hmmm...I could have had that stenciled on my ambulance back in the day! 8)

 

[jps4jeep]

Lockers will not make you a better driver though.

I have been wheeling for quite some time, and have had lockers in my old vehicles. my chevy had detroits and never had a issue, but it was a 1/2 ton truck with 1 ton axles and weight very little cause there were a lot of missing things like interior, top, etc... Never broke a axle in the 5-6 year of trial duty that rig saw.

My second was a stock YJ with lincoln lockers front and rear, never had too much of a issue, little quircky on the high way, but no complaints, that vehicle never saw a tire over 30" though... so it was a bit more forgiving on my axles.

squeeky, my current YJ has seen 5 years of offroad abuse and I never bothered to lock the vehicle, I went the lifted route instead. I have some limitations, but my driving skills enable me to get my YJ places where a un-educated driver with lockers can go.

Personally, I won't lock these axles, I am building axles to go in (d44's F&R)
and I will put in a selectable locker, cause I would like to be able to turn in slick mud...

Lockers have advantages as well as disadvantages, and the selectability would be the bets of both worlds.

I am contemplating the Eaton E locker, and the arb... I have OBA so air is not a issue, it is longevity that interests me.

 

[redrooster]

RE: Vegas Bachelor Party aftermath prank (work safe)

What it boils down to is preference and terrain.
I would say that if you plan on spending a decent amount of time in the snow and ice that you would not want an auto locker front or rear. A Selectable or limited slip will be your best bet.
The same can be said for mud applications if you want to be able to turn tightly. The rear will push straigh and the front will slide. I would still take my chances with an auto locker in the mud.
For rocks and trail use you can make several arguments. If you are running D30's or 35's, I personally would not put the money down for a selectable because you are limited to a 33" or so tire anyway. You may not want to drop the cash for a Detroit either because of the expense to install and reset the gears. I would say lunch box lockers or limited slips on factory Jeep axles. Although Bounty will disagree, I would never weld the spiders in a 30 or 35 because the axle shafts are so small that even with a 33" tire you can twist the shaft until it breaks. There is no mechnism to release the torque that builds when you go around corners. Bounty probably doesn't street ride his Jeep much and has managed to get by. I have actually seen shafts that have twisted 180 degrees and not broken. They were ticking.
If you ever step up to one ton axles tehn you can just pick one or the other based on cost and preference. By this time you have decide that this is goign to be a mostly trail vehicle anyway. The D60 Loc Rite's are huge and the Detroit's are nearly bombproof. I say nearly because I haven't seen anything that can't be broken, including, Detroits, ARB's, 14 bolts and Rockwells.