R Cannon

Jack it up in the center. spin a wheel. If they both spin in the same direction its Posi. Mine has a sticker in the glovebox saying its a locking differential.

XxXJ99xX

I almost thought about a powertrax locker but ive herd they snap axle shafts every couple weeks driving on just regular road way and they make the ride terrible, did you expirence any of that with yours?

XxXJ99xX

So your saying if i check the glove box in an xj itd have something like a red sticker on the inside indicating it has a lsd?

R Cannon

Its a mettalic sticker with red writing. And it says Warning this vehicle is equiped with a locking type rear diff. do not put in drive while one wheel is jacked up. Get both off the ground. It was the off-road option package. Another way to see if it has that package is Factory Fog lights , tow hooks and a nice metal skid plate. Just jack it up in the middle and see if both wheels spin in the same direction. Or Power Brake that sucker and let er rip. Then see how many black marks you left.

djb383

Lots of myths, rumors and a bunch of clueless goobers making unfounded posts on the Internet. Here's a fact....once you've installed a locker, this big ol' grin appears from ear to ear. Installed my 1st lunchbox locker about 14 years ago in a Chevy P/U.....it's still going today. The XJ is my 4th locker install, no problems and still get that big grin.

XxXJ99xX

Thatd be a pretty good idea lol but i think most of the jeeps that are in the junkyard dont really have enough um....parts to even attempt a power brake stand lol so tow hooks and a skidplate could also mean it has a lsd? is it a transfercase skid plate or oil pan or something else?

nismo300zr2

Right, if locked 100% of the time, its not advisable to drive on the street. Any time you are turning, the opposing wheels will be traveling a different distances yet still trying to rotate at the same speed. 'Chatter' is what some call it as the wheel skips on the pavement.

XxXJ99xX

So youd recommend getting a powertrax over a Trac-Lok then? Id just want it to be at least somewhat bearable on the road, not to many loud clunks or pops is there?

XxXJ99xX

So buying a locker is basically not worthwhile then? Because i dont get to head out to trails to much (location sucks) Would you recomend a Trac-Lok or a powertrax/detroit something like that?

R Cannon

Yes mine leaves 2 black marks from the factory! So as for those who say theres no such thing ARB is expensive for a reason. you need an onboard compressor, but you have posi ON DEMAND! Its the best!

billulsund

I would reccomend a lock right, aussie, or spartan locker. I have heard that Spartan are the most durable, but I have a lock right and it has never given me any problems. It is an automatic locker so it will disengage when you turn and will not cause your tires to skip or chirp around a corner (although you may hear a clicking noise from the locker). As long as you dont have a really heavy foot or large tires you shouldn't break axles often. My roomate has a 8.25 with a lock right and 33" swampers and he has not broken any axles. All of the lockers I mentioned are considered "lunchbox lockers" and can be installed in an hour or so and will not require you to set your backlash. Pretty much any other option will require you to replace the carrier which means you have to set the backlash and unless you are experienced with that you will want to pay a professional to do it. In my opinion putting in a trac lock carrier is a waste of time as the clutch packs wear out somewhat easily and when they do you are left with an open carrier. Plus, unless you can set the backlash, you will have to replace the entire axle housing which is much more time consuming than just tossing in a lunchbox locker.

XxXJ99xX

Lock right locker....hm and there good on the road to? Ill have to take a look at them

djb383

Here's one of the myths/rumors/misunderstandings I'm talking about......if it's locked 100% of the time, it NOT a differential, its a spool or welded spider gears. You have to have a differential to drive on the street so a locking differential unlocks in a turn and locks when going straight. It also, as shown in the video, will lock both wheels together IF one wheel should slip. "Chatter" is the rapid slipping/gripping of the lsd clutches.

djb383

I'm not recommending any particular "brand"......I'm recommending a locking differential over a clutch type lsd.

djb383

Lock Rite and PowerTRax are made by the same company....Richmond Gear. The PowerTrax No-Slip is somewhat more sophisticated (and expensive) due to its design. Most lunchbox lockers will make a slight ratcheting/clicking sound while making a turn. The PowerTrax No-Slip does NOT make any sound in a turn. That's the one saving grace of a lsd, they're smooth and quite because like their middle name says, they "slip".