Lockers

Tucker Terra · #1 07-09-2008, 09:33 AM

I am looking to put lockers in my 74 CJ5. I want to be able to be able to engage and disengage the lockers whenever I feel like it. I dont want to go with the air lockers because I hear a lot bad about them. So which is better.......

The Eaton ELocker
or
Auburn Gear-Ected Electrically Activated Differentia
or
other:

4x4mike · #2 08-06-2008, 01:22 AM

I responded to your other thread. What axles do you have? How big are the tires you run? What type of terrain do you encounter? Have you needed front AND rear lockers in the past?

Tucker Terra · #3 08-06-2008, 10:06 AM

They are original axles, I am running 35" super swampers, we do any terrain from bottom-less mud bogs, to dirt/ hard packed roads, to tight trails with washouts and rocks and downed trees, to windshield bever bog deep water.

I have watched the other jeeps with the rear/front lockers only, and it makes quite a difference so i figured if i did both and they where selectable, it would be that much better.

4x4mike · #4 08-06-2008, 11:41 PM

I wheel a 1999 4runner with open front and LSD rear. I have had no use for a locker (I know the need, I had one in my truck) other than what I have. A lot of time it's about throttle, the perfect line and the driver. Add it all up, locking front and rear, installation, possible gear change, and then possible broken parts from locking stock axles with 35's. It all adds up. I'd start with the rear and hone your driving skills. Maybe even get a winch, you'd be money ahead.

Digger 5 · #5 09-27-2008, 09:45 PM

TT-
You mentioned the Auburn Ected unit. If I had to recommend a selectable locker I'd tell you ANYTHING but Ected. The Ected design is junk and not a choice you should consider for off road use.
Clutch driven LSDs are not a good choice for off road use because they burn up the clutches if you hang a tire in the air and spin it hard. The Ected locks through the clutches. It has no positive lock like those used in all the other selectables. If you wheel it in the unlocked mode and spin a tire you are damaging the clutches. The clutch pressure in the locked mode is questionable when new as I've seen units during rock crawling spin a single tire when the opposite tire has great traction. Another weak spot is the side gear design. In the unlocked mode (like everyday driving), the side gear on the side opposite the ring gear is driving only about 9/16" of axle shaft. I've seen Dana 35 units strip off the end of the axle shaft on street driven rigs. It only uses all of the side gear in the locked position.
There are a couple of good selectable choices for your Jeep. Don't waste your money on an Ected.

Slippery · #6 10-13-2008, 06:25 PM

I run a Ford 8.8 in my TJ with an ECTED on 35" Maxxis Creepy's and 4:88's. Love it. No problems. I too have heard negative results in D30's and D35's.
The force required to break the clutches loose when locked is huge, and I have no problems. When it's locked, it's locked. Yes, like every limited slip, the clutches wear when it operates open/locked, but they offer lifetime clutch replacement and I like having the limited slip for every day. I run an Eaton locker in the front, and recommend it as well.