Rear axle traction options

[bcrosson92]

ok im planning on useing a ford 8.8 with 4.88 gears. im gonna be running 35's and ending at 37's. My main question is for still DD for now what would my best option be LSD or something like a spartan locker. im swapping in a 231 tcase and i already have a second car but do to insurance issues i can only drive the jeep tight now. i will wanna drive the jeep on road alot in the future but also be capable offroad.

[4.3LXJ]

There is no reason you cannot drive a locker on the highway. I am locked at both ends and don't notice much difference until I shift the front axle in. In my mind the only real issue between the two is whether or not you drive in snow and ice. If you do, the LSD is a better choice

[bcrosson92]

i dont actually know how much snow or ice ill be driveing in. my other car is FWD but i will probobly drive the jeep during the winters.

[4.3LXJ]

If that is the case, you are probably better off with the LSD. Lockers really shine in the rocks, but an LSD does just fine in mud and stuff like that

[bcrosson92]

ok cause im in PA so alot of trails and mud and snow

[4.3LXJ]

In PA, I would use a selectable locker or LSD

[bcrosson92]

i was thinkin of an ox in the 8.8 but that is just so much money. so im thinking lsd and a spartan in the front

[4.3LXJ]

unless you are going to use 2WD in snow, that front diff should remain open. But those lunch box lockers are not that hard to take in and out. You can save your spider gears and change them in for the winter

[bcrosson92]

wait so dont bother locking the front? i thought the front was what ppl lock first? chances are i will be in 2wd in the snow unless i get stuck or its really bad. i never really used the full time on my 242 ever

[4.3LXJ]

Now ya did it, opened up that debate again LOL

Some of that debate, front or rear first comes from people that live in the snow country. They lock the front and don't use 4WD in snow. Personally, I always used 4WD in snow and ice, and would travel sometimes hundreds of miles at a shot that way through Eastern OR. I guess that just reflects a difference in thinking.

[bcrosson92]

see i only use 2wd unless i get stuck and that comes from my dad living in TX and wheeling in the rockies

[4.3LXJ]

OK, throw that locker in then

[bcrosson92]

so the thing to keep in mind is dont use the locker in 4wd on the road? whats the difference between that and off road. available wheel slip?

[bcrosson92]

and would that still apply to an auto locker?

[4.3LXJ]

No, you don't want to use that locker on the pavement. You shift out before you get there. The reason is that there are small differences in tire size etc that put tremendous force on the drive train when all tires get full traction. This gets exacerbated when you go around a corner and the tires can't slip a little. It gets even worse with a locker. If you don't break something, you will cause premature wear to occur.

[bcrosson92]

so even with the auto locker its the same? could i get an lsd for the front d30 or would it not be worth it.

[4.3LXJ]

Yes, you can get a track lock. But if you are used to driving in 2WD in snow don't worry about it. I grew up using 4WD in snow because where I lived we needed it. We couldn't even get a snow day at school until we got at least three feet out one storm.

[bcrosson92]

i mean yeah i normally run 2wd but i have used 4wd sometimes. youve kinda made it hard to decide as well lol. i know you didnt mean to just alot of stuff to think about .

[4.3LXJ]

It is ultimately your choice and will be dictated by your intended use and driving style. On the other hand, I can point to many XJ owners who did just what you were going to do.

[bcrosson92]

i will be takeing it more to an offroad use only rig but i still want it to be pa inspected and all so i can still drive it on road. know anyone from pa that would be able to weigh in with some area specific info or help?

[4.3LXJ]

Yes, on another forum

[bcrosson92]

lol. it just seems like so many options. and everyones way is right. i might just spartan lock it front and rear and if i blow up the front then i can just upgrade it then. or would it still be better to lsd the rear?

[4.3LXJ]

Well, for trail use lock both ends. The only issue I was raising is snow. Now I can tell you that a rear locker doesn't like snow. Traction is pretty crappy that way. But if you are looking at a trail rig and summer driving, locking both ends is the way to go

[bcrosson92]

right but with an auto locker that would only be if it locks up. or i still may run a select-able in the rear which would make that a moot point

[4.3LXJ]

An auto locker works by grabbing one or both axles depending on how much traction the wheels get. A selectable in the rear I think is the way to go for you. You will have the best of both. I have auto lockers now, but when I change axles I have two ARBs waiting to go in

[bcrosson92]

ok i can get one with lsd and 3.55 for 150 off cl around me. and regear it for now and save up for a select-able. is 150$ a good price?

[4.3LXJ]

Yes, go for it

[bcrosson92]

ok. that sounds like a good plan. thanks for helping me think through my options

[4.3LXJ]

Good luck