I thought some of you would like to hear how it went and how it drives. There has been a ton of questions on front lunchbox lockers and street manners.
so the install was very straight forward. I started at 9:00AM and had to shuffle cars. I got it used from a friend and had no instructions, but I have installed the rears before.
Same idea, but easier with no c-clips.
pull wheels and brakes, slide axles out, pull cover, and remove carrier. I like to use 2 prybars on the ring gear side against the carrier webbing or ring gear bolts, makes it very easy to pop out.
I got it snuck out from behind the tie rod which was nice.
I got it on the bench and removed the ring gear, which I definitely had to with 4.88's. not sure if you would need to with 3.55's.
pull the spider gears out, reuse the side thrust washers and put it together.
Got the front end back together.
I filled the diff and went down the street. to my surprise it didnt even click pulling out of the driveway. went down the road to the culdesac and turned around almost full lock. You can hear the ratcheting just like the rear, a couple spots a little firmer than others but nothing thats not expected.
once I got home I put it to a little test, I have a tapered retaining wall next to my driveway, at the highest point its probably 34-36", typically with only one front tire it would not climb over 20" or so without just spinning the other 3 tires.
so I pulled in and put one tire on the wall with the jeep at only probably a 10 degree angle to the wall, at about 30" high, and it climbed right up.
Ill really put it to the test saturday but so far so good.
I drove to work this morning down the backroads and you wouldnt know its there. Just how its supposed to be.
So now the real question, how are front d30 shafts gonna hold up on 35's locked.......

oh and I was filling the diff, putting wheels back on at 10:24, inside eating breakfast at 10:40.

 

Awesome! Congrats! Take it you already have one in the rear as well?

 

yeah, rears been locked for a while. I figure if i can make it this long without breaking anything it wont be too bad locked lol.
now it will just fuel my next axle swap if it breaks.