Aussie Locker D30

Rangermed175 · February 4th, 2010, 15:49

So I just bought an Aussie locker for my front d30. Seems like everyone recommends them and says it's an awesome/cheap upgrade. After putting the Super 35 in the rear with a Detroit I figured i needed to do the front too... My question is, since I'm obviously going to be wheeling up here and hopefully with you guys, what are your thoughts on it? Is anyone running one, how is it for the type of wheeling you do up here? I have never had the luxury of lockers so I am sure my first outing "locked" is going to be eye opening lol. TIA

**xj287** · February 4th, 2010, 15:56

I've never run one myself, but all I hear are good things about them. Deffinetly invest in a set of alloy axle shafts if you haven't yet (or go easy on the skinny pedal).

JG · February 4th, 2010, 15:56

If it's your daily driver and you don't have selectable hubs you may not like it, especially on the winter roads. I think you'll be happy on the trail though.

**xj287** · February 4th, 2010, 16:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by JG

If it's your daily driver and you don't have selectable hubs you may not like it, especially on the winter roads. I think you'll be happy on the trail though.

Good Point!

Rangermed175 · February 4th, 2010, 17:18

why do i need selectable hubs? In 2wd there is no force on the front diff so it will/should ride just like an open carrier. It's not going to lock up until I'm in 4wd. As for the winter roads.... we'll see, if the roads are so bad that i need 4wd to get to the gas station, i shouldn't be on the road anyway. Or i can just put the stock spider gears back in for winter months

**bndrman** · February 4th, 2010, 18:43

What type of locker are you referring to as an "aussie" locker?
An ARB disengaged runs exactly the same as an open and will not make a lick of difference in handling untill you hit the magic button.

**VTBKRDS** · February 4th, 2010, 20:36

Your frt. D30 doesn't have a disengage feature on the axle, only in the transfercase. Adding an Aussie to the front will keep the gears engaged in the differential all the time. This will cause "interesting things to happen", whether your t-case is in 2 or 4 wheel drive. An Aussie is not the same as an ARB. More like a Lock-rite. An ARB is air operated, selectable locker, better choice for the front end too. Have run Aussies in 2 different Jeeps. Are a good product at a decent price. Check with the manufacturer for your best proper application.
As with all lockers on slippery conditions, prudent operation is well advised. Or pick a soft place to land.

**03_rubicon** · February 4th, 2010, 20:48

a friend of mine has lock rite in the front and back and he loves it drives it all winter with 36 swampers he says you just have to slow down. the only place you will not like it is when turning at slow speed under gas like turning in a parking lot. and pulling in to a drive way but you will have to take it easy till you get used to it. on the other note i have selectable lockers and they are nice a 80 down the high way

Rangermed175 · February 4th, 2010, 21:19

The locker engages when you apply power to the drive shaft, not from the wheel turning during normal driving.
In 2WD the drive shafts are not connected at all in the t-case, so it will not spin the front drive shaft from the rear drive shaft, but it will spin from the driver side wheel turning, which will have no affect on the locker.
The neutral and 4WD position of the t-case BOTH connect the drive shafts together and will cause the locker to engage, even while flat towing.
So no, the locker will not engage in 2WD.

It doesn't matter if the front axle causes the DS to spin. It doesn't engage the locker. It's when the DS is forced by the t-dase to spin that engages the locker.

This is what my impression of everything was, I am going to do some more research because you have me thinking. I have a np231 if that makes a difference...

Rangermed175 · February 4th, 2010, 21:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by bndrman

What type of locker are you referring to as an "aussie" locker?
An ARB disengaged runs exactly the same as an open and will not make a lick of difference in handling untill you hit the magic button.

http://www.northridge4x4.com/proddet...od=AL-XD-13027
this is what i bought

**xj287** · February 5th, 2010, 07:14

that locker in your front axle WILL be live all the time. when the T/C is in 2wd the front axles are still turning because there is no disconect on the front axle. As was said before, you'll love it on the trail, it will be fine on the road most of the year, but in slippery winter conditions it will have noticable front end plow. it's controlable, but takes some getting used to. I'm planning on getting the lock-right vertion for my XJ, but I also plan on pulling it before the snow flies.

**TallGreg** · February 5th, 2010, 07:26

Great discussion. I think the key for winter driving is the description of how the aussie locker works: "ground driven forces acting on a wheel when cornering (forces the outside of the wheel to turn faster)". In slippery conditions, snow or ice on the road can't impart enough force to make the outside wheel spin faster. The aussie doesn't detect a difference in speed between the outside & inside wheels, stays locked up, and you plow straight ahead instead of turning. On dry pavement there is enough traction for each wheel to do its thing, and the locker unlocks.

**xj287** · February 5th, 2010, 07:51

another way to look at, is that type of locker is engaged when it's "at rest", and will allow one wheel to over ride the internal ratchet when there is enough torque applied to one wheel (like when cornering). They never truely "unlock" or shift power from one side to the other as advertised. The beveled teeth on the ratchets just slip over one another to allow the vehicle to corner. It's simple and it works great on the trail, but I think winter driving with one might get interesting.

**66bronco** · February 5th, 2010, 09:23

I've got a detroit E-locker in the bronco and it is a limited slip when not engaged. It's still pretty tight and even when not engaged it plows during slow speed cornering in snow or snotty mud. Because you are in burlington and the roads are usually kept clear, you would most likely be fine, but if you drive any icy or snow packed roads, you'd better be at full attention! Or you can do like most vermonters and get a winter beater to soak up all the road salt and save the pretty stuff for summer

JG · February 5th, 2010, 11:56

When I used to have the e-locker it broke and was just a spool that didn't like to turn, ever. You may want to look inside you're cover Ed.

Rangermed175 · February 5th, 2010, 13:10

thanks for the input guys.