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Locked front axle.

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Old 12-05-2009, 09:24 PM
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Default Locked front axle.

I have an 89 xj and as u know it has the vac. disconnect. I was wondering though if you install a locker in the front axle would there be a problem with them being locked with not in 4wd? Like you know if the rear is locked and you turn the tires turn at the same rate and you can wear them out. Is the front the same even with the vac. disconnect?
Old 12-05-2009, 11:27 PM
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If the disconnect is engaged, it will perform like a one piece axle. If disengaged and in 4WD you will have three wheel drive. When not engaged or in 4WD the drive shaft will turn when moving.
Old 12-06-2009, 12:08 AM
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Originally Posted by 4.3L XJ
If the disconnect is engaged, it will perform like a one piece axle. If disengaged and in 4WD you will have three wheel drive. When not engaged or in 4WD the drive shaft will turn when moving.

So as long as it is not engaged meaning rear wheel only it will act normal and when I go to 4wd it will act as a solid axle. Is that correct?
Old 12-06-2009, 11:22 AM
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Yes, if you have a front disconnect.
Old 12-20-2009, 09:07 PM
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Ok Im thinking of doing this. Is there a cheap locking spool like some other axles have. I have seen some for like 35 fo some other axles. Or would it be easy enough to just weld it together. Or is that a bad idea.
Thanks
Old 12-20-2009, 09:19 PM
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if you lock a vac disconnect axle, you better carry spare shafts and u-joints.
Old 12-20-2009, 09:29 PM
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Originally Posted by caged
if you lock a vac disconnect axle, you better carry spare shafts and u-joints.
Why do you say that it would be any diff than without the locker.
Old 12-20-2009, 10:24 PM
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if you drive it on the street i wouldnt weld it... and if you find any kind of locker for $35 let me know where... cheapest ive seen is like $240ish...
Old 12-21-2009, 01:37 AM
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Cheapest ive found a Aussie locker was 250.00. With that anytime force is applied to the driveshaft it will Lock move both wheels together.

I have not heard of any reall issues running with the vac front end. But like mine i have the Vac front end that the vac quit on me... so i shimmed mine to stay "engauge" i have not had an issue as of yet. Jeep did away with the Vac front ends as it was found it really is pointless over the one peice axle.

In my opioin you will be fine with the vac front end and a locker.
Old 12-21-2009, 10:48 AM
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260 joints over 297's.

you'll see....
Old 12-21-2009, 06:55 PM
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Originally Posted by huntingman2706217
if you drive it on the street i wouldnt weld it... and if you find any kind of locker for $35 let me know where... cheapest ive seen is like $240ish...
We found Spool for a 9" ford rear axle for like 35 I didnt mean like a fancy locker. But we did get one. I want something like that.

Originally Posted by AdidasCJ
In my opioin you will be fine with the vac front end and a locker.
Thats what I figure. No reason to not street drive it Since will be disconnet by the vac anyway.
Old 12-21-2009, 06:55 PM
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Originally Posted by caged
260 joints over 297's.

you'll see....

What does that mean?
Old 12-21-2009, 07:13 PM
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Originally Posted by 89whiteXJ
We found Spool for a 9" ford rear axle for like 35 I didnt mean like a fancy locker. But we did get one. I want something like that.



Thats what I figure. No reason to not street drive it Since will be disconnet by the vac anyway.

yeah... thats for a 9"... you asked about a dana 30 or 35... and we told you...
Old 12-21-2009, 07:15 PM
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ones stronger then the other... i thought 297's were stronger...

Last edited by huntingman2706217; 12-21-2009 at 07:17 PM.
Old 12-21-2009, 07:29 PM
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found alittle info...

Changing from a 260 U-joint to a 297 or a 760?

The 297/5-760 joints will not fit the 260 axles without some machining and even then, I'm not convinced that they would be stronger with the lose of material from the shafts. If you are looking to upgrade from a 260 sized u-joint try finding a joint with either ABS (Anti-Lock Breaks) or one that came from a 1997 (when they became standard) and up model Jeep. (The 1996 models are hit or miss with the 297's some have them and some dont - This is at least how it works with the XJ's)





Here is a picture showing the differences in the 297 and the 760 joints.


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