2001 TJ Front Differential

You would be unique with that experience then, unless you were in 4wd on the street. If you drive a TJ with a locker in the front axle, you absolutely positively will not feel its presence when you're on the street in 2wd. The old thing about a front locker causing problems if mounted into the front axle of a TJ is an old wive's tale.

My own TJ's front axle has been open, had a Truetrac limited slip differential, and for the past several years has been running a full-on automatic Powertrax locker. There has been no difference in how any of them felt on the street when comparing them to one another. I only recently installed manual hubs and even with them unlocked for street use, there is still no difference in how it drives with the front locker... it drives like it did with an open axle.

An automatic locker only locks up firmly when torque is applied to it, as when you're in 4wd. It is locked when you're in 2wd BUT without torque being applied to it, it unlocks so easily that you can't even tell it's happening.

Once again... you absolutely positively cannot tell a front locker is installed in a TJ's front axle when you're in 2wd. Everyone I wheel with has a front-locker and most of us, me included, drive them on a daily basis.

Now I wish I could say the same thing about my rear-mounted Detroit Locker. ;)

Jerry

-- Jerry Bransford To email, remove 'me' from my email address KC6TAY, PP-ASEL See the Geezer Jeep at

Nope, in 2wd.The reason I drove it was becuase the owner was concerned with it. It ratcheted in a jerky fashion in tight turns and there was noticeable understeer compered to an open diff. Frankly I wouldn't have liked dealing with it full time. He installed a Warn hub kit and is now a happy camper.

Then there was something wrong with either the locker or its installation.

Jerry

-- Jerry Bransford To email, remove 'me' from my email address KC6TAY, PP-ASEL See the Geezer Jeep at

installation.>

Don't know, but a very good shop did the install and claimed it was working as designed. It did fine in 4wd, although for me I wouldn't want the front locked up all the time when I was on the trails.

Something isn't making any sense at all here because running a front automatic locker in the front of a TJ is very common and it's well known among us TJ owners that have a front locker that it is not a problem or even noticeable in 2wd. It's done way too often and widely known among TJ owners with front lockers that it is NOT a problem running a front locker.

This is another case of first-hand experience from an owner that has a front locker that wheels with wheelers who ALL run front lockers vs. one who is reporting second-hand annecdotal experience if you ask me.

Jerry

front locker that wheels with wheelers who ALL run front lockers vs. one who is reporting second-hand annecdotal experience if you ask me.>

Jerry, sorry if my FIRST HAND experience disturbs you, I just didn't like the way it operated and handled and neither did the owner. I wouldn't recommend it for a daily driver, particularly here where we have ice & snow conditions half the year.

I have a front locker in my YJ, I wheel with wheelers with front lockers, etc. (Relax, you're not alone here!) I'd rather not see the guy pay for an auto locker and then be disappointed or unsafe when he can pay a bit more for a manual locker and be perfectly fine.

(Sheesh..... )

As a newbie to 4-wheeling with a new Jeep TJ, I've been following this thread with interest, but I'm confused about the opinion that an ARB is not the best answer for the front axle.

It seems to me that the difference on the front axle between a manual and an automatic locker would be the ability for the driver, when on the trail in 4wd, to *choose* when the front wheels would be locked and when they wouldn't.

Aren't there times on the trail when having the front wheels locked in 4wd is not as desirable as an open diff? (For example, If I want both axles driving, but am in a situation where better steering and maneuverability is more advantageous than increased traction...)

If so, the manual (ARB) locker gives you that option, whereas the automatic locker does not. Isn't this an advantage to the ARB (assuming the owner is not bothered by the cost difference between the automatic and the manual locker types)?

If I'm confused, please set me straight - this stuff is all new to me. Thanks for any comments.

No, you're basically correct. The main problem with manual (selectable) lockers, as I see it, is twofold. First of all, they are typically more expensive than the automatic lockers. Air lockers require a source of compressed air. Even though it's not a bad thing to have aboard your jeep, it still adds cost. If you're on a limited budget, that, alone, can be a killer. Second, since they have to have some sort of control mechanism, installation is more complicated and often includes drilling the differential and routing the control mechanism to the interior of the jeep where the driver can reach it. The control mechanism, be it an air line, an electric cable, or a mechanical cable, is one more item to get damaged by branches, rocks, etc., potentially leaving your selectable locker unselectable. Everything's a trade-off. Many people opt for the simpler systems. Many people opt for the advantage of controllability. Only you can decide which suits your jeeping style better.

is not as desirable as an open diff? (For example, If I want both axles driving, but am in a situation where better steering and maneuverability is more advantageous than increased traction...) >

Precisely. While the auto locker will be simpler & less troublesome long term, you won't have the option of conyrolling engagement. For the most part a locked front end is ok off road, but it can be a handful on tight turns as the vehicle will resist attemts to turn at all. ARBs aren't foolproof, as they can take a bit to release. So, if you forget to unlock you may have to go through some vehicular gyrations to pop it loose.

We're sensitive to these things around here. A lot of our alpine trails have very tight switchbacks with sheer dropoffs requiring the maneuverability you mention.

---snip---

No Shit! That's part of what keeps our ambulance association busy. Hell, U. S. 550 has a few tight turns, if you look at the accident reports...

Earle

It doesn't "disturb" me in the least, but what you're claiming is simply not what I and everyone else with front-mounted automatic lockers are experiencing in the TJs we own and drive on a daily basis. What you claim was a strong rumor circulating here for a while up until several years ago but those rumors have pretty much been put to bed by those that actually own them. As I said... if you experienced issues with it, then something was either wrong with the locker or the installation was screwed up.

There are just way too many front-mounted automatic lockers in daily-driver TJs being run without issues for your claim to hold up in face of the daily experiences of those that ACTUALLY OWN what you have only tried in a "friend's Jeep".

A properly installed and properly functioning front-mounted automatic locker is not noticeable when a TJ is in 2wd.... period.

Jerry

-- Jerry Bransford To email, remove 'me' from my email address KC6TAY, PP-ASEL See the Geezer Jeep at

U. S. 550 has a few tight turns, if you look at the accident reports... <

The number of nuts on 550 increases every year. I often wonder if some of them have any idea how far down it is if they go over the edge at Coal Bank, Molas or Red Mountain...... "pass the beer, Lucille, this thing'll do 75 around that corner up ahead...".

locker is not noticeable when a TJ is in 2wd.... period.>

Earle, get the ambulance... maybe the hearse....we're sending him over Black Bear with the front end locked up!

We don't have a hearse. Most of the stiffs ride to town in the ambulance. We don't even have proper buzzards, just crows. I don't think that Jerry is going to try Black Bear in two wheel drive any way. ;^)

Earle

Worn U Joints which were replaced by the Warn kit at the same time perhaps ?

Dave Milne, Scotland '99 TJ 4.0 Sahara

: > Nope, in 2wd.The reason I drove it was becuase the owner was concerned : with : > it. It ratcheted in a jerky fashion in tight turns and there was : noticeable : > understeer compered to an open diff. Frankly I wouldn't have liked dealing : > with it full time. He installed a Warn hub kit and is now a happy camper. : : Then there was something wrong with either the locker or its installation. : : Jerry : -- : Jerry Bransford : To email, remove 'me' from my email address : KC6TAY, PP-ASEL : See the Geezer Jeep at :

No, it was a relatively new vehicle and they were fine. The locker was installed properly and works as intended.