Lockers for the front or rear first?

[Kuhn]

I have an '02 Wrangler X (D30 front and D35 rear). I am also running 33's (let me know if you think the axles can even withstand lockers). Anyways, my question is whether Detroit EZ Lockers would help out more in the front or rear... I only have the funds for one right now. Thanks.

[o|||||||o]

Personally, I would go with the front locker first.

Here is why...

With the D20/D35 axle combo and running 33" tires you are already putting a fair amount of stress on that rear (D35.) If you had the D30/D44 combo I would have said you could go wither way, but with the D35 out back you are better off doing the front locker. If you decide to mod the rear ar a later date you may want to look at the option of adding a D44 or an 8.8. I wouldn't be investing my money in the D35 unless you are going to build up a Super 35. (Even then with the associated costs you could have a D44 or an 8.8.)

Just my thoughts...

[Kuhn]

Good advice. Why is it that the rear axle is under so much more stress than the front? I've known that this was the case for a while, but never heard why. Thanks

[o|||||||o]

The rear is not under more stress than the front at all times... There are times the front may be under more stress. It really depends on the conditons.

The D35 is not a super-strong axle to begin with. 33s and unlocked and that axle is pretty much maxed out. Lock it and you are asking for problems with that size tire.

[csparks78]

Originally Posted by o|||||||o

The D35 is not a super-strong axle to begin with. 33s and unlocked and that axle is pretty much maxed out. Lock it and you are asking for problems with that size tire.

What about with 31's?? I was thinking about locking the rear sometime in the future.......

[o|||||||o]

Originally Posted by csparks78

What about with 31's?? I was thinking about locking the rear sometime in the future.......

With 31s and a D35 you should be fine but it really depends on your habits with the skinny pedal.

[csparks78]

Originally Posted by o|||||||o

With 31s and a D35 you should be fine but it really depends on your habits with the skinny pedal.

Im not too crazy but I like to get my Adrenalin pumin!!!

[Kuhn]

Would it be likely that I destroy the front D30 with an EZ Locker and 33s? I don't do much rock crawling at all... Mainly just mud, sand dunes, and moderate trails. What can I do to strengthen the D30 axle to make the use of lockers a little safer?

[o|||||||o]

Originally Posted by Kuhn

Would it be likely that I destroy the front D30 with an EZ Locker and 33s? I don't do much rock crawling at all... Mainly just mud, sand dunes, and moderate trails. What can I do to strengthen the D30 axle to make the use of lockers a little safer?

Upgrade the axles with Superiors. That would be my advice.

[wilwith1l]

Well, working from only my personal experiance, I would lock the front first. This may sound crazy, but let me tell you why.....
Rear diff is a limited slip, where as the front is an open diff. The front axle is almost always the first to give to only one tire spinning.
Second, auto locking rears are much more likely to lock in ice and rain on pavement than front auto lockers(this might not seem bad, until you start steering with the skinny peddel).
And C I would rather limp home with a grenaded Dana 30, than have to rely on that Dana 30 draggin my grenaded rear axle home.

[Ray H]

Kuhn,
I see you live in MI.
If you use your Jeep in the winter as a 4X4 to get around, I dont think you will be happy with an auto locker in either end. An auto locker in the back is pretty skittish but isnt real bad, but the front will absolutely suck on slick roads in 4X4. You could just pull it out every winter and put the spiders back in I guess. Just something to think about.
As far as improvements to the D30. I would say the first thing to do is upgrade axleshafts to use 760 front ujoints instead of the 260s that came on your Jeep.
The axle shafts in the D35 and D30 are the same size. If you were to measure their strength under equal conditions, it would probably be about the same but most of the time when someone toasts an axleshaft, they are in the process of attempting a climb where a good deal of the vehicles weight is on the rearend and the rearend starts to bounce. If youve ever noticed, while trying to climb something, the frontend very seldom bounces as violently as the rear does. Its this bouncing that causes the axleshaft to snap. With an open diff, its not so bad because as the wheel comes down and contacts the ground, the torque is automatically transfered to the other wheel. With a locker installed, the wheel comes down and the torque is transfered through that axleshaft and SNAP.
If you know to get off the gas when it starts to bounce and you dont use wheel speed to get over rocks, either the D30 and D35 should hold up fairly well locked with 33s. That being said, it would be very hard to take it easy with a Jeep that youve builtup just to see your wheeling buds hammering their equipment and having a ball while you're being Mr. Conservitive.
Which one give better traction, locked front or back? That really depends on the situation. If you need traction to climb up something where most of the vehicle weight is on the rear, then a rear locker is better. In a flat mud pit, then the front locker is probably better.
I dont personally subscribe to the "dont throw money away in a D35" way of thinking. I know people who have run their locked D35s for years and not had a problem, others have gone through several axleshafts. The thing isnt going to just explode on its own, you will need to do something to it. If you stay aware of its limitations, it will probably be fine for some time to come. You know what it is, carry spare parts and tools and know how to swap parts, its all good.