auto locker or LSD

[Moezer]

hey guys, I was wondering weither to get an auto locker in the front of my 02 tj or an LSD by no means am i looking to rock crawl or do extream off roading.

The jeep is ganna be my DD kinda in the summer and FUL dd in the winter, I have read alot about the spartan locker and such and some people say its scary or not the best in winter snow and ice.

this last saturday when i went off roading, the jeep failed me every time on snow as only 3 tires was spinning at a time since my front is an open diff but did very well at any thing the other trucks did andat times the other trucks has some problems that my jeep just up and over with out a sweat.

it would be nice to have a spartan up front but since its my DD i dont want to go threw problems in the winter with steering and such.

If i want to go with a limited slip where can i get on or from what type of other jeeps can i get one that will fit in the front. I think i have the dana 30 up front not sure.

thanks for all the help

[tubby]

If i want to go with a limited slip where can i get on or from what type of other jeeps can i get one that will fit in the front. I think i have the dana 30 up front not sure.

I'm 99.9% sure that you have a Dana 30 in the front of your TJ . So your Jeep failed you in the snow because you only had 3 tires working for you? Do you honestly believe an extra tire spinning  would have helped you in the situations you encountered over the weekend? I really doubt it . The present snow type is wet/heavy, and being locked front/rear would have you digging to China. Try a different approach and air down your tires to single-digits psi wise and possibly a better tire choice( flotation is key)

Another option is chains for the rear. A tight LSD up front is fine but will let you down when you really need it. Then again you said you're not looking to do extreme trails anyways and this sucker is your DD. I vote for leaving the front open if you are having good success most of the time.

If you have your heart set on a LSD front look up the Detroit True-Trac online for reviews etc.

[Jrama]

^^ what he said

I will add that I do DD a Jeep with an Aussie in the front year round and it is livable, kinda crappy on those sheer ice 4x4 days but it is something you get used to. The rest of the time you will just hear it click now and then and maybe slight lock up in really tight parking lot turns but it is 99% invisible. On the trail in summer a locked front is definitely a noticeable advantage in lots of situations over anybody running open/open. For the 400 or so bucks it costs to do a lunchbox it sure gets you a lot of performance on the trail. You are getting a locker that locks up 100%, every time.

Problem with the auto locker is that its always locked in 4x4 when power is being applied. Tight turns on winter trails or in sheer mud can become....annoying....I doubt anybody besides the people in my jeep have ever noticed its slight turning disability...except when I bitch about it every now and then....its a compromise


Something else you may want to consider..
Auto locker you can install yourself with basic hand tools
 True-trac replaces the carrier and requires a complete set-up....... at least doubles your cost going this route

In my mind 2 options

Open or Lunchbox...I wouldn't drop the money to do a full set up and end up with an LSD, thats just my 2cents

[w squared]

Problem with the auto locker is that its always locked in 4x4 when power is being applied. Tight turns on winter trails or in sheer mud can become....annoying....I doubt anybody besides the people in my jeep have ever noticed its slight turning disability...except when I bitch about it every now and then....its a compromise

I'm pretty sure that I noticed it when your Jeep turned into a toboggan earlier this year. 

An auto-locker in the front may be invisible in 2WD, but you're definitely going to notice it when 4WD is engaged. Unless you only use 4WD while driving in a straight line.

[Moezer]

I'm 99.9% sure that you have a Dana 30 in the front of your TJ . So your Jeep failed you in the snow because you only had 3 tires working for you? Do you honestly believe an extra tire spinning  would have helped you in the situations you encountered over the weekend? I really doubt it . The present snow type is wet/heavy, and being locked front/rear would have you digging to China. Try a different approach and air down your tires to single-digits psi wise and possibly a better tire choice( flotation is key)

Another option is chains for the rear. A tight LSD up front is fine but will let you down when you really need it. Then again you said you're not looking to do extreme trails anyways and this sucker is your DD. I vote for leaving the front open if you are having good success most of the time.

If you have your heart set on a LSD front look up the Detroit True-Trac online for reviews etc.

its not about chaining up or what not, im just wondering would it be bad to put a \lsd in the front and another thing i hat some people have probelsm or what now when driving in winter.

with a limited slip i would at least get that bit extra traction then an open diff can give, i like the locker idea but if i cn go to the junk yard and et me a lsd for my friend it would be much cheaper then buying an auto locker lol.


is there a lsd out there that will fit in the dana 30 or work in it?

[binare]

I say go for the lsd, by the time it kicks in you wont care if you got a locker, either youll be wheelin like a prostar.

[tubby]

is there a lsd out there that will fit in the dana 30 or work in it?

Yes.

Options:

1. Detroit True-Trac

2. Auburn limited slip

These are aftermarket items that you won't find in a junkyard. No LSD offered for the Dana 30 front from the factory. These limited slips are over the $700CDN mark and you'll have to redo your gears as they replace the stock carrier. Pricey after it's all said and done  with ho-hum performance compared to a locker. Just stick with an open diff and look forward to the challenges that trails offer. I rarely use my front air locker anymore to add some challenge again. I'm also not above using my winch or taking a strap. Fourwheeling is supposed to be difficult or we'd be all driving gravel roads. Enjoy 3 wheel drive guy.

[Jrama]

I'm pretty sure that I noticed it when your Jeep turned into a toboggan earlier this year.  

An auto-locker in the front may be invisible in 2WD, but you're definitely going to notice it when 4WD is engaged. Unless you only use 4WD while driving in a straight line.

It's just a little added excitement. When you get used to it, there is nothing wrong with using the gas peddle for a little rear steer to help get you out of tight places...or around corners.

[hps4evr]

Yes.

Options:

1. Detroit True-Trac

2. Auburn limited slip

These are aftermarket items that you won't find in a junkyard. No LSD offered for the Dana 30 front from the factory. These limited slips are over the $700CDN mark and you'll have to redo your gears as they replace the stock carrier. Pricey after it's all said and done  with ho-hum performance compared to a locker. Just stick with an open diff and look forward to the challenges that trails offer. I rarely use my front air locker anymore to add some challenge again. I'm also not above using my winch or taking a strap. Fourwheeling is supposed to be difficult or we'd be all driving gravel roads. Enjoy 3 wheel drive guy.

There is a front LSD option from the factory. It came in the front of some grand Cherokees with the hi end quadra drive something. Its a low pinion d30 and I think it would fit a TJ d30. But I'm not 100% certain on that. A full locker may end up breaking other parts. LSD has some give to it. Open diff shouldn't break anything. I have and auburn in my rear diff and I like it. Tru tracs are good too.

[JackstandJohnny]

There is a front LSD option from the factory. It came in the front of some grand Cherokees with the hi end quadra drive something. Its a low pinion d30 and I think it would fit a TJ d30. But I'm not 100% certain on that. A full locker may end up breaking other parts. LSD has some give to it. Open diff shouldn't break anything. I have and auburn in my rear diff and I like it. Tru tracs are good too.

heeps is referring to the varilock axles that came in 99 - 2001 Gand Cherokee ltd.  with the V8.   they are cool and work well.  i don't think it'll work in a TJ/XJ/ZJ 

that said, i've never seen anyone try either

[Jrama]

A full locker may end up breaking other parts. LSD has some give to it. Open diff shouldn't break anything.

33" tires and a locker never bothered my d30 none....35's fumed it right off.

I'd say the risk is acceptable, and who cares? something breaks fix/upgrade it...thats what wheeling is all about. Moot point worrying about breakage at every step of the game, Just be prepared, bring spares and know what to expect.

[tubby]

OR...

There's the option to just get it over with , and have the best of both worlds( DD-friendly) and buy a damn selectable locker . Air, electric, cable blah, blah freaking blah but that's another debate.

[w squared]

OR...

There's the option to just get it over with , and have the best of both worlds( DD-friendly) and buy a damn selectable locker . Air, electric, cable blah, blah freaking blah but that's another debate.

Stop talking sense Noel. You know that won't make you any friends around here. Next thing we know, someone's gonna say "Do it once, do it right" and then people will REALLY start getting upset. 

[Uboatcmdr]

Why not get rid of the lsd in the rear and go selectable.

When we were behind you 99% of the time you were one legging it up everything.

Thats why my friends tacoma on 31" bald a/t's was making it up stuff was because he has a locked rear.

[Bnine]

pretty tough to justify a 700 lsd for a d30.

If you keep your eyes on the for sale forems you can usually pick up a lunch box used for 100-150$. Thats the way I would go for that intermediate step. You really shouldnt need 4wd around town, other then the odd intersection start for getting ahead. Otherwise you are always in 2wd anyways.

Or if you luck out and find a good used lsd for 200$ or so, then go for it. But they are rare, cause not many people buy them.