Locker

[mark dewese]

What are the pro's and con's of putting a lunch box locker in the front axle of a stock dana 30??? Or should I put a air locker up front this is my daily driver

[Turfzilla]

From my experience with a lunch box locker, you will be very happy with the Aussie brand up front. It will greatly improve your offroad ability and will be invisible in 2wd on the road. They are about a 1/3 of the cost of most selctable lockers.

It will make highway (4wd) driving in snow a little touchy.

[RecycledTeen]

I agree completely with Turf! Aussie!!!!

[97TJAC]

i love my lunchbox up front!!
it to me has made a great difference
i have the factory LS in the rear and since i put in the lunchbox up front it has def helped!

i drive mine daily also and I don't really notice it up front
only thing is if u r going slow and make a hard turn into your driveway or what not... u can hear the click click click
but nothing major

[Paul E]

I have a lunchbox up front too. Other than the occasional clicking when turning it isn't even noticeable. Now if you engage 4wd while out and about, the behavior will change drastically. If you get snow in that area of Washington and need 4wd on the Jeep while on the road, the autolocker in the front COULD pose a problem, much like it did for me in the slick mud at Stony Lonesone on Friday during the Jamboree.

The torque to the front wheels and the engaging of the locker gave me fits at anything over a crawl. 2WD actually worked better at times.

So if you DO have to contend with snow and ice on the roads where you are, a selectable front locker may make better sense for you. Otherwise, go lunchbox!

[Don]

AUSSIE ALL THE WAY!!! However, driving on slick roads / snow covered roads while in 4wd might be like driving a skate board on ice.... I know people have had different experience than I have, so you may not know how your Jeep does on ice/snow in 4wd until after you install the locker.

[97TJAC]

to add to my previous post... i have not drove mine on ice/snow yet..last winter it didn't leave the garage.... but would def see how it would be a scary adventure in 4wd on the road...turning would be horrible!!

[yellowx]

that is the only problem with a lunchbox locker is turning i have one in mine and in the rear i have a arb i love both of them but i can see where a selectible locker would be an advantage up front where you get alot of snow and ice in the winter

[mark dewese]

what about the stock dana 30 will it hold or will I break axles alot???

[RecycledTeen]

Mark, that depends on your pressure on the skinny pedal and the type of terrain you are wheeling in. As I recall you were more of a finesse driver and unless you have picked up some BAD habits, you should be fine. But I will say this, all things will break and some will break sooner than others. I have known people who have wheeled on 30's for years without any problems and others that have broke very soon after getting into wheeling. It boils down to how bad do you want up that ______(you fill in the blank) and if you want to pull cable before you stress something.

Rick

[gumby91]

just dont drive like tim. lol

[andrew383]

Ive beat on mine alot with stock shafts and they just keep takin it :)

[yellowx]

mark just look @ it this way if you're gonna have a weak link why not have it somewhere that it is a easy fix if it breaks 30 shafts are a easy fix

[mark dewese]

Ok kool thanks for the advice

[Turfzilla]

Ive beat on mine alot with stock shafts and they just keep takin it :)


I put my old xj thru the ringer with lockers and stock shafts, never broke one. I had a joint to fail once or twice.

[mark dewese]

thanks for all the help it will go to good use