ok first off i have an 88 jeep cherokee pioneer 4x4 with the command-trac transfer case, dana 30 front, dana 35 rear. i read stuff about how you shouldn't use lockers in the front diff unless you have manual locking hubs. they say that this is bc when disengaged it bypasses the diff acting like an open diff. now i'm no expert, but from what i understand, when the command-trac transfer case is in 2wd, the front driveshaft doesn't spin, so it send no power to the front axle. furthermore, i understand that when the command-trac transfer case is in 2wd, the passenger side axleshaft is not connected to the diff (only the drivers side is connected to the diff). so basically, if only the drivers side wheel is connected to the front diff, and the wheel is only moving from forward motion (not being driven), why the hell couldn't i run a spool up front if i want to? am i wrong here? the reason i ask is bc i am looking into lockers and limited slips. i don't want to fork out the money for selectable lockers, yet i hear really bad things about automatic lockers causing lots of problems. if i could get away with running a spool up front i will. i mean, if i am right, and the spool would only really engage when i put it in 4wd, then what would be wrong in doing so? i would just have to be pretty careful about where i use my 4wd at correct?
if anyone has any experience with lockers and limited slips in a dana
30 froont and dana 35 rear i would love any input. just understand, i don't wanna spend the money for selectable lockers. i know they are great and perfect for everything but they are too expensive for me! i have been seriously considering limited slip front and rear (i hear good stuff about auburns LS), or LS up front and automatic locker in the rear (lockright maybe?) the vehicle is my daily driver, so i want driveability to be affected as little as possible. i hear automatic lockers make tons of noise from locking and unlocking, but since the rear has so much less differential action than the front of the vehicle, would an automatic locker be bad in the rear? i don't want it to be noisy (between the rumbling of my engine, the roar of my mud tires, and my stereo system i can't handle anymore!), and i don't want it to put alot of stress on my drivetrain.i know some of u jeep gurus out there can answer my questions! i very well may be wrong about running a spool up front but i have done alot of research and this is just what i've gotten out of it. if i am right, technically i could run any kind of diff i want up front right? i know the rear is a different story. if i can get away with running a spool up front, i mind even splurge on a selectable locker for the rear with the money i save. thanks in advance yall!
james morrow