when I bought my lift kit there were things to know before buying one like getting full leafs instead of add a leaf or how high I can go before needing an SYE and what brands were good for the job.

but now im looking to buy lockers for the front and rear and would like to become more knowledgeable before my purchase.

I have done some research and think I want to go with an automatic lunch box style locker. when I go to purchase one are there certain things I should look out for? Im on a budget and don't want to buy something that wont work for me. are there different kinds of lunch box style lockers? I need mine to fit my chrylser 8.25 open differential and dana 30 up front. does gearing matter when buying one. id also prefer to buy one that I potentially could install myself.

Any information regarding buying a locker, how one works, what kind to get or something first time buyers should know is really what im looking for with this thread.

 

You'll need to know your gear ratio before getting a locker, I have a spartan up front with my D30. Install was easy and straight forward. That was also the first time I had ever had a diff cover off. Only took about 4 hours. It will POP when making sharp turns. Only downside to a lunchbox locker. Always locked all the time. Great offroad though!

 

Nope, Gear ratio doesn't matter when installing a lunchbox locker.

 

Exactly

Pretty easy install. Front axles pull right out. Rear you have clips. But very easy all the same.

 

As stated above lockers do pop while making a u turn so if you're not ready to hear loud popping then just get a rear locker.

 

You can not even tell I have a front locker. It's very rare bu it has popped before. Just can't remember how long ago.

I run a spartan in the front. Welded in the rear.

 

I run a front locker and LSD rear and my locker sounds like some things breaking every time I make a sharp turn

 

I run Detroit Lockers in my "99" XJ front and rear a D30 and a Chy 8.25. I'm not for sure but there may not be a "Lunch Box" for the 8.25.

I decided that I wanted auto lockers in mine and a quality set as well the Detroit's filled the bill just fine. In fact I never even know they are there. Very quiet running not like a lot of different ones out there and when locked up they stay locked till not needed.

 

I have aussie lockers front and rear. D30 and 8.25 29 spline. Both lunch box

 

I have an aussie in the rear of my 8.25 and with a radio on you wouldnt know its there

 

The lunchbox lockers are easy to install. I have a lock-rite in the front of mine a Trac Lok in the rear. I would probably stay away from the powertrax no-slip. All of the others, Spartan, Aussie, Lock-rite, I have seen good results from.

 

Do you have the 242 or the 231 transfer case?

 

Im leaning towards aussie or Spartan. I read that some lockers lock automatically with springs. how expensive are they and do they come as a lunchbox style? and does aussie or Spartan offer it. if I could get an automatic one I think that would be better for me because it seems like it would put less wear on my mud terrains as this jeep is a DD.

id prefer to go with something cheap in the front but don't want to break any u joints or anything else for that matter. and to answer a question, I have the 231 transfer case.

 

^Important question.

Doesn't the carrier have to come out and the ring gear removed to get the roll pin out? Am I mistaken?

 

On the front in a D30 yes......

Also the aussie's , spartan's, and lokka's all have 4 or more small springs you have to install, are all lunchbox style, and all are auto's