Lockers Explanations

[sb5551]

Could someone explain to me a little about lockers? I know what they do, but I was looking at the arb air lockers for putting them in my jeep. If I install them can I still use the part time four-wheel drive that it comes with or is it just locked or unlocked. I don't really understand jeeps explination of there four wheel drive system in the manual. I was also looking at the ox lockers.

[neon_rt]

The Wrangler 4 wheel drive system is called "Command Trak". When you are in 4wd (Hi or Low) the front and rear drive lines are essentially "locked" together so they both have to turn at the exact same speed. "Lockers" have nothing to do with the "Command Trak" transfer case. Lockers are installed in the differentials (axles) and lock the left and right halves of the axle together on the axle they are installed (remember, Command Trak locks front to back, not left and right). With a Locker an axle half is allowed to turn faster than the ring gear (outside tire going around a corner) but not slower. If a side is being pulled faster than the ring gear is turning, you will hear a "racheting" sound (such as when you go around a corner). With this system the tire that is turning the slowest is getting all of the power. You must be careful when driving on pavement with a locker engaged b/c the vehicle can get unstable and start fishtailing.

[Ray H]

Originally Posted by sb5551

Could someone explain to me a little about lockers? I know what they do, but I was looking at the arb air lockers for putting them in my jeep. If I install them can I still use the part time four-wheel drive that it comes with or is it just locked or unlocked. I don't really understand jeeps explination of there four wheel drive system in the manual. I was also looking at the ox lockers.

ARB, as well as Ox are selectable lockers. They can be locked and unlocked by the driver. Obviously, ARB uses air pressure to activate and Ox uses a cable to activate.
The lockers wont change the operation of your transfer case at all. You will still have 2WD, 4 Hi, N and 4 Lo. When in 4WD your front and rear driveshafts are mechanically connected together via chain in the transfer case. With the lockers off, the differentials in your axles are an open differential just like stock, with only one wheel on each axle receiving torque. With the lockers locked, the differentials function as a spool, both wheels locked together. if you are locked front and rear, either or both lockers can be activated seperately.

[sb5551]

Alright, I get it thanks guys for the help.