After searching all open forums, i have not found any conclusive evidence of why one front locker is better than the next. Edumkate me:P

OK I am getting readyy to build my D44's. I am going with 5.38's and full spool in the rear. I am going to run 36x12.5 TSL's. What do you guys think i should run in the front. The full spool is tempting, Detroit, Lock Rite. Mini spool. weld em up??? I have to get a carrier too, so the Lock rite with carrier will be over $300. The spool is $190. A mini is $90 plus the $50 carrier and a detroit is usually around $400. I am on a kinda tight budget. Any recommendations. oh yeah its just a 4 banger YJ. Any reason I shouldnt run a spool in the front. I will become an expert Ujoint/axle changer. TIA

I am east coast and see mud, but prefer the rocks anywhere we can find them. I know a few guys here run front spools and welded diffs. I cannot afford allow axles right now, but i wil later.
Should i say FAWK IT & get the spool...convince ME:flipoff2:

personally i like welded or spooled rears and a full detroit in the front. just my op. :D

Thanks for the comment high5. Hell i thought i would get more responses than this. I know its beat to death, but daum, i have over 30 replies on *ehhhumm* dare I say, JU.

Come awn guys I know you got opinions, where is everyone? Someone should at least flame me for asking about D44 again, not even a 60, 60 , 60 remark. You guys are slippin:flipoff2: :flipoff2:

Oh how i long for the POR of yester' year:( .........BASTIDS:vader2:

Which locker is less likely to make axles go:nuke:

My opinion

Luncbox lockers (lockrite) - junk, for part timers
mini-spool - junk, limited to stock carrier strength
Spool - great for rear, a bitch in front
welding - as above
Detroit - best and strongest locker, smooth operation, best choice in front.

What were your replies on JU:

*How do you weld?
*Why would you weld a perfectly good open diff?
*I heard a locker will mess with your handling, why would you want to do that?
*Don't you realize that a locker will blow your motor up
*A front locker, are you nuts!!!
*My mom wiped my ass for me last night so I can't give you any kind of an answer


Since you are running in the lower traction mud areas you could probably get away with welding the front, there are lots of folks that do it and it won't cost you shiat. Personally I would and do run a welded rear and a locked front. If get a spool and find out you're blowing up parts too much, at least you could sell it. Just some thoughts.

I'd go Detroit

I ordered a detroit from Rusty's $410, cheapest I found by far.

and my rear is welded.

I figured its a good investment, the lockrite MIGHT break abd you loose it all, best case you can sell the lockrite for $150-175 later if you wish, the detroit I feel will hold its value better, in the event you EVER want to sell it ( 60 60 ) then you can get most of hte $$ back, and have driven the whole time with a great performing STRONG diff..

Originally posted by ozarkjeep
I ordered a detroit from Rusty's $410, cheapest I found by far.



was that for a Dana 44???

I'd go with a Detroit.

JUST TO BE DIFFERENT, I'D WELD IT!:flipoff2:
REASONS: cheapest
no moving parts(hopefully)
both tires spin don't they?:D

Spool rear and detroit front, you do like to turn right? ;)

What about a Detroit Tru trac? I heard those work well in the front, especially for mud. They say there not quite as good for the rocks though

Cause you are in mud part of the US= Detroit. But I am a huge front ARB fan I understand you are pinched for money but just save up a little longer or somthing. ARBs make it so much eayser to turn plus not constant stress on the front end.

detroit rear arb front thats my 02

Highhooder,

that would be a affirmative on the D44 30 spline,4.56 ratio Detroit.

they are backordered, he said it might be a week or so.

IM in NO hurry, so no biggy

I have a spool in my front 44, it is pretty interesting trying to turn with it in a high traction situation (on slickrock, or your apartment complex wall, etc..) but in regular dirt/loose stuff, its not too bad, considering I only paid $80 for it. I used to have a lock rite in the front, and it didn't unlock very often, so i said screw it, and saved some $$$$$. If you run a spooled front, just make your girlfriend run out and unlock your passenger side hub when you need to trun really sharp.

I thought about the Girlfriend unlocking one hub since she is out with the video camera most of the time. I scare her:smokin: .
Well i got it narrowed down to the detroit or the full spool. Hell you only live once, might as well drop the dough on the detroit. Like stated above, in a few years when i upgrade i can always get a good price out of a used detroit. Thanks guys!

Just my 2 cents:

Why spend money on a spool now? Weld it up, when (and if) you break the carrier, then throw in a full spool. Welding is not going to put more stress on the other components (joints, shafts, etc) than a spool.

You want to go Detroit? Same reasoning, weld it till it breaks the carrier, then replace it with a Detroit. The Detroit wont unlock under power anyway, and there is always the Girlfriend..... :D

Good question! I'm considering the same thing too.

Although, I've already got the rear welded up, and I'm going to do the front too.

I'll do the one hub unlocked thing for awhile, until I get my Hydraulic assist sorted out. Once that's in, should be good to go?

OX!

Nobody else said it yet, so I figured I'd throw it out there... They're a bit spendy, but they sure work good. I've had 'em front and rear in 44s under my YJ for almost a year now and nothing's broke yet. :)

The biggest advantage is that the selectability allows you to more options on tight trails and switchbacks and a beefier differential unit than you get with an ARB (also, no pump, O-rings, or air lines to worry about).

My $.02 USD
Jake

Originally posted by Archie_G
Just my 2 cents:

Why spend money on a spool now? Weld it up, when (and if) you break the carrier, then throw in a full spool. Welding is not going to put more stress on the other components (joints, shafts, etc) than a spool.

You want to go Detroit? Same reasoning, weld it till it breaks the carrier, then replace it with a Detroit. The Detroit wont unlock under power anyway, and there is always the Girlfriend..... :D

Keep in mind that Archie is THE cheapest mawther fawker I know. None cheaper. :D (no...really)

And in my opinon, I wouldn't want to break something that I can't fix/replace in the field, like my carrier. But I guess that depends somewhat on the distance from the "real world" that you wheel. I like to wheel in remote places, and build for it.

So I say Detroit, ARB or I'd consider the OX, but haven't heard all that much feedback on them yet.

Charly

Detroit Rear.. ARB Front..

SAVE THE MONEY and buy the ARB up front... Alot less stress on the front when you dont need it locked...then VOILA.. push of a button..all the traction you need!!

DO IT RIGHT THE FIRST TIME!

milkman

proud owner of a grocery getter!! with A/C

ARB rear,,,,,, ARB front....

That way when you drive on roads, its open open.

And when your on a side hill with snow/ice you go open open and the jeep sticks like glue.

When you need it lock them both up and Spool spool

When you want to show off... (not us) unlock and run an obstical open open just for the heck of it. and If you dont make it just lock them back up..

Thats what I do... :D AIR all the way.:trooper:

Detroit, there aren't any other lockers:D

If you get a ARB, tatoo on your forehead "Are both tires spinning?" because all ARB guys ask that every 10 feet:D :flipoff2:

Originally posted by YJ4RoX
After searching all open forums, i have not found any conclusive evidence of why one front locker is better than the next. Edumkate me:P

OK I am getting readyy to build my D44's. I am going with 5.38's and full spool in the rear. I am going to run 36x12.5 TSL's. What do you guys think i should run in the front. The full spool is tempting, Detroit, Lock Rite. Mini spool. weld em up??? I have to get a carrier too, so the Lock rite with carrier will be over $300. The spool is $190. A mini is $90 plus the $50 carrier and a detroit is usually around $400. I am on a kinda tight budget. Any recommendations. oh yeah its just a 4 banger YJ. Any reason I shouldnt run a spool in the front. I will become an expert Ujoint/axle changer. TIA

I am east coast and see mud, but prefer the rocks anywhere we can find them. I know a few guys here run front spools and welded diffs. I cannot afford allow axles right now, but i wil later.
Should i say FAWK IT & get the spool...convince ME:flipoff2:

i thought you had the inline6? i got my rear back together, just had too much preload:(
anyway, you got that pos tore down yet?:flipoff2: :flipoff2: :flipoff2:

I would go detroit in the front. I am actually going OX in my front 44, but they are a bit on the pricey side.

Originally posted by LAME
Detroit, there aren't any other lockers:D

If you get a ARB, tatoo on your forehead "Are both tires spinning?" because all ARB guys ask that every 10 feet:D :flipoff2:


No I gotta agree to that.... every ARB idot even at ARCA asks about the durn locked or unlocked and then when reciveing directions they say locked or unlocked...... up at tellico they was sayin locked and unlocked so I asked my buddy if I needed em locked or unlocked.... and well OHH yea they are welded..... oops Well i can try to unlocked it (rev to 6000 and drop) NOpe i guess it stays locked today


neway back on topic..

Weld em up.... cheepest.... it takes a lot to break the carrier... i'd just weld it up and u'd be good to Go ...... no need to spend the cash especially on a budject.....weld it then if you arn't happy well you ain't spent no money so you can still Go buy a real locker later.......... and why not the Elockers?

I like lock rights in the front. Before you slam, let me explain.

Welded/spool you have problems with tight corners.

When you break an axle or hub you can break the inside of a detroit. Had it happen to a friend, sent it to the factory for repair and they said it would be almost as cheap to replace it.

When you break an axle with a lock right it may break the 4 pins. So I carry extra pins and spiders, easy trail fix.