Calgary Jeep Association

4x4 Related Groups => Tech Talk => Topic started by: mhernden on November 02, 2009, 10:16:53 AM

Title: Dana 30 Locker - '99 XJ
Post by: mhernden on November 02, 2009, 10:16:53 AM

Can someone possibly suggest a good locker for my Dana 30 front axle.   27 spline axles as far as i know. 

First.. some things to consider...

1.)  Im not looking to spend a fortune
2.)  I am in the process of a re-gear... so i will need a different carrier to attach my new deeper gears.  If the locker is the carrier replacement... great... if not... no big deal.
3.)  I am not looking to put a Dana 44 or any other axle under the front of my jeep.
4.)  This jeep is not only my trail rig... but also a daily driver.  Granted i only use 4x4 in the winter or when im offroad. 

I was looking at the OX locker... but i have heard some rather poor feedback on them in the past couple months.  Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. 

Title: Re: Dana 30 Locker - '99 XJ
Post by: BlackYJ on November 02, 2009, 12:45:14 PM

Based on points 2-4 you will need to go with a selectable locker and your choices are ARB (my favourite), Eaton Elocker, or the OX.  Now the 1st generation OK lockers were bad but recently I have heard they are pretty good.  Unfortunately, selectable locker and "not looking to spend a fortune" are not usually in the same sentence.

Title: Re: Dana 30 Locker - '99 XJ
Post by: cLAY on November 02, 2009, 08:11:46 PM

Good advice above, expect to spend around $1000 for a selectable locker(+gears, install kit, etc). If you cann't afford it then wait till you can.

Title: Re: Dana 30 Locker - '99 XJ
Post by: yyc_tbird_sc on November 02, 2009, 10:46:02 PM

I picked up an Eaton E-Locker for a D44 solid axle swap I'm working on, and even with the gears, and install kit, I'm just a hair over $1000 (this is with a hell of a friendly discount!!). This is not including my time to set the gears/locker up, or little things like oil. Remember that if you're going to get a shop to do the install, then you're looking at 3-4 hours of shop time to set up the gears.

Title: Re: Dana 30 Locker - '99 XJ
Post by: mhernden on November 03, 2009, 07:58:41 AM

Well... i might just go for the OX that i was looking at in the first place then. 

I wanted a selectable locker... and i really dont want to go with an air type system. 

Man this project is getting expensive! 

Thanks guys.

Title: Re: Dana 30 Locker - '99 XJ
Post by: slimbeam on November 03, 2009, 08:20:44 AM

someone was telling me recently that ox is no longer in business, just someone that bought there idea and are making it but its not as good.  I cant confirm or deny this its just what I herd

Title: Re: Dana 30 Locker - '99 XJ
Post by: mhernden on November 03, 2009, 08:30:34 AM

Yeah, i was reading the same thing online... but apparently its a big hoax. 

I guess if you call OX directly you can speak with the same guy who owned the place going back many years.  He had a big writeup online about how its one of his major competitors who is actually spreading the rumor. 

Who knows...  if i cant reach them directly... i wont be ordering. 

Title: Re: Dana 30 Locker - '99 XJ
Post by: w squared on November 03, 2009, 01:55:43 PM

Quote from: mhernden on November 03, 2009, 07:58:41 AM

Man this project is getting expensive! 

The only thing about Jeeps that's not expensive is...um...ah...

Title: Re: Dana 30 Locker - '99 XJ
Post by: hps4evr on November 03, 2009, 08:43:27 PM

try the new elocker. 2 wires, power and ground. done. no air compressors, no cables to route inside. 

Title: Re: Dana 30 Locker - '99 XJ
Post by: mhernden on November 04, 2009, 04:04:27 AM

ooooo    and cheaper than OX.   Excellent.