First of all, to answer your original question, lock the rear. Lockers are most needed going up hill, when the weight is transfered to the rear anyway. Second, if your front is locked it limits steering. You will tend to go in a straight line. Hence, the selectable locker.

Most people on this forum just want to go farther than the next guy. But there is a drivability issue that comes up. If you are driving daily or to and from the mud, then a selectable locker allows you to maintain your present drivability on the street and lock it when you need it.

Some people don't like the ARB, and the new Zip Locker because of the on board air requirement. But if you are going to have that option anyway, it is a moot point. At that point it is a toss up, electric or air, they will both work the same and have the same weaknesses. That being ripping the air line or wiring loose. Soooo, you have to protect them well.

 

wow i wish i could do a ECTED in my rear! cause a limited slip is nice to have for a DD

 

Well, I have the cheapest lockers available for a Front D30 and rear D44 in my Jeep. I have Aussie "Lunch Box" style lockers. I have them because at $239 an end they were the best deal I could find. I don't worry at all about getting farther than the next guy. I give advice from personal experience and try to help other guys avoid the problems I had growing up in the 4WD world. I gained my locker driving experience many years ago in a Toyota truck that I first put a Lock Rite locker in the rear. I had to wait until I could afford the other one for the front so, I drove it and 4wheeled it with just the rear locker for a couple of years before locking the front end.

 

ok so bang for buck now!
and how would i install? (pics would be great!)

 

O.k. still on topic, but just pondering here.

If I had open/open I would definitely go with a rear locker first, then front. From my limited experience with lockers (JK Rubi with both front and rear selectable) I've driven with front, rear and both and find the rear to be most beneficial without compromising handling as much.

Here's the ponder part. If the vehicle (XJ) is equipped with a D35 limited slip rear, should it change my game plan and should I opt for the front locker first, then lock the rear later because of the limited slip?

Just looking for opnions.

P.S. I don't need a lecture on the shortcomings of the D35. Already read most of those offerings.

 

In the case of already having a factory LSD in the rear, I would go with getting a front locker first. You may just find that having the front locker and rear LSD is perfect for you and avoid the expense of the rear locker.

 

Thank you. That's kinda what I was thinking. I know the limited slip is no substitute for a locker, but it does work pretty well and you can definitely tell that it's back there.

 

nope, ected hasn't made a locker that goes with the 8.25 yet. I think they said they are going to make one soon but i haven't seen anything. Thats the only electric locker i can think of.

 

oh ok does anyone have experiance with the ARB locker?