Best way to "lock" a front dana 30?

[mr_super-hunky]

Here's my dilema, I've currently got a detroit tru-trac in the front dana 30 of my tj, but now I want to be able to "lock it" for more difficult trails without having the limited slip, "slip" first.

Ive heard a detroit locker is great, but a little to very heavy steering while in 4wd, ..is that true?

I've heard that the ox trax cable locker is very beafy, and very good but that the company is "barely in business". If thats true, I worry about future repair issues and parts availability.

Of course, everyone knows of the ARB lockers; good quality, good reputation, but very pricey by the time you add in for the compressor etc.


Question; are you guys having succsess with using a locker on a dana 30? or is it stupid to spend the money on a not so strong axle to begin with?
I am interested in the new "super 30 kit" which I think superior makes which is similar to their super 35 kit for the dana 35 rear in that it replaces the stock 27 spline shafts with 30 spline shafts.

This new super 30 kit claims to have the same axle shaft strength of a dana 44 (minus the ring gear) and also comes with a ARB locker as part of the kit. Anyone have one of these kits or are familiar with them? It sounds like this may possibly be the best option by not only getting a good locker, but increasing the shaft strenght as well. Only problem is CA$H !!, Again, very pricey!

I'd like to hear your feedback if you currently have a locked dana 30; what your using, how you like it ,and its pros and cons.

Thanks for your input.

[AZDesertXJ]

Hi mr_super-hunky,

While I don't have any personal experience with the Detroit, everything I've read points to their durability. I chose to go with the No-slip, as it quieter on road than the Detroit.

As for the steering, the first couple of days you drive it on road you'll notice significate understeer if you maintain the throttle and initiate a turn. After a week, you'll be used to it and you'll hardly notice it. Off-road in 4wd, you can use the throttle while turning to un-lock the front end. I've never noticed a difference to steering feel with moving slow and crawling over rocks. The only time I really notice the locker in front is if I'm doing a JeepSpeed impression and the ground is hardpacked. But then I just modulate the throttle during the turn to overcome the understeer.

As for your question about the Dana 30's strength, this also depends on size of tire that you are running. If you are running 33s or less, you'll probably be fine, if you don't use the stupid pedal aggresively.

Pros of a locked D30
Get to take new trails or lines
Cons
None I can think of

Kent

[k7mto]

I've got a Detroit EZ in my dana 30 front and it works great. No problems with it whatsoever. I've had it in there for 3 or 4 years and it's still going strong. Granted, I'm new to AZ where rocks are sticky, so time will tell how it holds up down here.

If you know you're going to replace your 30 soon, don't bother with it. Save your money for locking the new axle. If you plan on running the 30 for a few years, I'd recommend installing the EZ.

If we ever do the same run you're more than welcome to drive the CJ and see how it handles.

[mr_super-hunky]

I forgot to mention, I'm running 35's on the tj dana 30.

[Hackle]

Cheapest solution would be to get an XJ Dana 30 they are high pinion which adds strength. Check the local u-pull-its they will be cheap. Then lock it. I installed hubs on my YJ 30 and warn high strength axles. I have a no slip installed but with hubs I have no idea what it would drive like on the street.
HTH Jim F.

[lpennock]

The detroit is almost completely transparent in 2wd. You might hear an occiansional click but it really doesn't affect the steering. All the new detroits are softlocker design which really doesn't matter much in the front in 2wd on the street. Offroad the detroit will sometimes be hard to steer on rocks; however, with a little throttle modulation you can make it steer pretty easy.

I wouldn't even consider the Powertax no-slip in your situation. Since you will need to put a carrier in because of replacing your truetrac the cost of the No-slip with a carrier is so close to the Detroit you might as well get the stronger unit.

If you want cheap go with a Lockrite or Aussie Locker or even go up to the Gearless locker. These are your best choices in lunch box lockers that are enough chearper than a detroit to consider. IMHO.

98XJ, F&R Detroit Soft lockers

[Antman]

I've been running a Lockrite in the front D30 here for about a year and I don't really notice it much on the street, but with a Detroit in the rear at 60 +, if you let up on the gas real quick or hit the gas real quick, she side jumps a little. The main problem I have is in 4w low at slow speeds when turning real sharp, my steering just doesn't cut it. I am not sure if its the pump or the steering itself. My power steering groans a lot and practically locks up. As for being a locker, I like the Lockrite in the D30 and have had no problems with it running 33's. I am thinking about upgrading to a J20 steering box setup.:D

[DsrtJeeper]

I can't believe nobody mentioned the Kryptonite line for locking up a Dana 30!!! Home Depot has great prices.
Ooops! Wrong forum.....:D

Lockrite has my vote.

[lpennock]

The issue mentioned of hard steering at verly low speeds is classic problem with front lockers. If you modulate the gas some you can overcome most of it but it will always be there because of the way a locker works.

[Antman]

Originally posted by lpennock
The issue mentioned of hard steering at verly low speeds is classic problem with front lockers. If you modulate the gas some you can overcome most of it but it will always be there because of the way a locker works.

Thanks Leonard, but my steering really groans and steers harder than other TJ's with a Lockrite. Maybe the power steering is dying.

:o

[Desertjeep]

Originally posted by Antman
Detroit in the rear at 60 +, if you let up on the gas real quick or hit the gas real quick, she side jumps a little.

This shouldn't happen. I have LockRights in and had the same problem. I checked the air preasure and the problem went away. If you have unequal tread wear that also may cause the jumping.

[jpcrawleram]

I had a lockright for 4 years, no problem. I did though have a HP 30, and a posi-lock. It was quite and didnt case any problems. I did though break a shaft, but that was with a 260x u-joint. YOu can also get 30 lockers cheap/ used

[Marv Miller]

I'm running a Lockrite in My D30 with no apparent probs, approx 2 years now. 33's, mostly 3.5-4.0 trails. On the street, 2WD, hubs disengaged, it's not noticeable.

Turning is not as sharp when in 4WD & hubs engaged. Live with it.

Marv
84 CJ7
(first time poster on the BBS :p )