Locker - front or rear?

[94rangerxlt]

My question is, should I put a locker in my front or rear axle? I have the 4.0, 3.73s, D35 and 8.8. The 8.8 has the LS and it works really well, considering it's an LS, haha. Another option that i've been told i have is a LS from a grand cherokee will fit right into the front as well. I'm asking because it's a DD, and wondering if the Powertrax Lock-Right will be ok in the front, besides some noise, will it actually hurt anything, or prematurely wear something, the tires being one. If so how bad?

 

[Hahnsb2]

In the front it wont wear your tires faster since the hubs are out and you're not in 4wd on the street, even in the rear I've noticed no extra tire wear with my lock-right

 

[bobbywalter]

where do you live? what size tires?


if you use 4x4 on the street during winter...do the rear.


if you wheel hard with big tires do the rear



otherwise, front can be better. but i cant think of a good reason why.

 

[94rangerxlt]

1. I live near Van, BC Canada. 30" tires

2. yes

3. hopefully soon

4. What your saying is do the rear.

Ok, I guess i have to find an open 8.8 from a yard in order to swap in the locker in the rear? Is there anything I should look out for or do?

 

[Hahnsb2]

1. I live near Van, BC Canada. 30" tires

2. yes

3. hopefully soon

4. What your saying is do the rear.

Ok, I guess i have to find an open 8.8 from a yard in order to swap in the locker in the rear? Is there anything I should look out for or do?

You can get the No-Slip ( a smoother version of the lock-right) for the LS 8.8 if you choose not to go through the hassle of swapping carriers.

 

[94rangerxlt]

Well it wouldn't be too big a deal to swap the carriers so I wouldn't mind doing that. But I was wondering, would a limited slip from a rear Dana 35 be WORTH IT or POSSIBLE to put into the Dana 35 up front on the Ranger?

 

[RangeRunner]

You can get a selectable locker for the front so it doesnt have to be front locked when you 4wd is engaged. A front locker improves offroad capabilitys alot

 

[metalmacguyver]

Well it wouldn't be too big a deal to swap the carriers so I wouldn't mind doing that. But I was wondering, would a limited slip from a rear Dana 35 be WORTH IT or POSSIBLE to put into the Dana 35 up front on the Ranger?

Possible, I am not sure about that. Worth it, not likely.


Swapping carriers requires that you have the gears set up again by a professional. That is usually $150-$300 in labor alone.

 

[Totalled]

No, it doesn't. Unless you don't posses the skill to check backlash..

 

[MAKG]

Backlash is the only setting needing adjustment PROVIDED:

1.The original ring gear is reused (do NOT split a gearset even if they are the same ratio).

2. The mechanic doesn't screw up (e.g., interchange the carrier bearing caps or install them upside down).

And you really should have cleaned up all the black goop before installing the carrier. That's probably gritty....

 

[4x4junkie]

Well it wouldn't be too big a deal to swap the carriers so I wouldn't mind doing that. But I was wondering, would a limited slip from a rear Dana 35 be WORTH IT or POSSIBLE to put into the Dana 35 up front on the Ranger?

A Jeep rear D35 carrier (as a unit) does fit the D35 front, yes. The Dana Trac-Lock L/S is not the best thing available though, but it would help in mild offroad (or foul-weather street) conditions.

In more rugged terrain though, the locker would be the better choice. The L/S can still leave you spinning your tires if you get the truck crossed up in a rut or something.

 

[94rangerxlt]

Alright, I won't bother with the Trac-Lock then. So really any adverse problems with the front locker on a mianly DD? I'd rather not spend the money on a selectable locker, but If it's that much better, I'll save or wait till it's a trail rig.

 

[4x4junkie]

If the hubs are unlocked, the locker would have absolutely no effects whatsoever while in 2WD.
Hubs locked, but in 2WD, you'll probably hear a bit of clicking during turns, but should otherwise be transparent.

In 4WD however, you'll feel it torque the wheel during turns, although it shouldn't be enough to create a problem. Some say it'll be dangerous in icy winter conditions, others say you just need to learn it's quirks, and you'll be fine (I tend to believe the latter, although So. Calif. winters rarely bring any snow/ice here, so I wouldn't know ).

The selectable locker easily avoids all this however. I think they're well worth their cost (at least up front anyway).

 

[94rangerxlt]

Thanks for the input Junkie. Now that I know the consequences of them, guess I'll think it over and decide what to do.

 

[86ford]

mini spool the rear and be done with it. i dont really support locking the front with the rear not being locked if you adventure off the road because it tends to cause the front to pull the vehicle more than the rear pushes. your rear is significantly more durable that your front so why put the brunt of the load on the weaker axles? now dont get me wrong here, i beat the piss out of my wheeling rigs and thats why i wouldent lock the front before the rear. If you dont adventure on the trails a whole lot just pack that LS you have now tight and leave it.

86