auto lockers

If you have a front lock right, are in 2wd, and have your hubs unlocked, your locker is basically isolated, and you will not notice any difference from a stock axle while driving. So there will be no negative side effects in daily driving.

I'm currently set up exactly that way with my YJ. Except I have the Dana 30 front w/Lockright and 35C rear w/TRACLOC. Yes, when in 2wd the front acts like an open diff.

Scott

Thanks for all the info. Bill metioned a spool up front to be honest i know next to nothing about a spool set up. Can any body recomend a good site for research and a good product for this set up. Also, off topic, has anyone had any experience with the older (66-77) d-44 bronco axles on a yj, my concern is steering and i have read many post about this swap but none seem to go verry deep into this part. This will be my first time swapping front axles and i know there will be many times that I am completly lost... but that is my favorite way to learn :) .

Yes.

WOW! thanks alot to all! You guys are awsome (and fast). Thank you to everyone who replied.

But when you front is locked, even offroad your steering can be VERY stiff and difficult. Better to have something you can unlock and make those tight turns with. Nick

Nick, This is patently false. Even if the front is locked, turning is easy IF the tcase is in 2WD.

If offroading, then you simply select 2HI and you can instantly steer again. And, if you need 4WD, and you are locked, having the steeering be tight isn't much of a problem.

I get it, you are talking about a spool on the front. I am not sure I would want a spool on the front, and I have to question why Bill keeps bringing it up as a suitable solution. I can't imagine how a spool on the front would be any fun at all. I could be wrong here, but I doubt it.

And how is the view any different behind a front locker or a spool?

A front spool would probably be handy in heavy sand or mud, but on any other terrain an autolocker would probably be more user-friendly.

A front locker or spool isn't going to play much of a role in hopping around, then spinning to the side and rolling over. The rear locker or spool will play a role in that scenario, but not the front.

Those holes are usually the result of Open Diffs, and occasionally a Limited Slip. A locker does not switch back and forth.

An auto locker is really an auto UNLOCKER, and it the tires can slip on the ground, the locker will remain fully engaged and dig identical holes on the left and the right, just like a spool will do. The variation, of course, is that the dirt is identical and responds to the tires the same way, but whether the axles is equipped with a locker or a spool isn't going to be a factor in this.

What free wheel?

What part of locked doesn't make sense? A locked axle does not ever free wheel, unless the locker isn't working right and talking about the feature set of broken s*it is a waste of everybody's time.