Lunch box locker

[dktool]

Hi all, long time no wheelin'

I am ready to pull the trigger on a Aussie Locker for my Dana 30 front axle.
I haven't shopped for it in months, so today I started looking and I came across a similar unit that I have not seen before.

Does anyone have any knowledge / experience with this:

http://completeoffroad.com/i-1400324...sl-d30-27.html

[Jeeperator]

I have one in my hp d30. It works good no issues yet and dont even know its there until I put it in 4wd. Easy to install also.

[Reedster]

I bought one last week for my Dana 30 based on some recommendations from others. Haven't installed it yet, but I'm confident it will do the job just fine. I got it from here: http://www.rwkhaussupply.com/magento/ He lists it for $239, but I got it via a PM from the NAXJA website for $235 shipped to my door.
~R

[Mitch]

Dean,

I purchased an Aussie locker for the front Dana 30 on my YJ just over a year ago. It has worked flawlessly. It works so well for me that I don't even use my rear locker anymore. Mine was delivered to my door for $249.00 from Northridge 4x4 (Northridge, Washington). Very happy

Mitch

[dktool]

Update

I bought the Spartan Locker and am in the final stages of installation.

I will be leaving the vacuum axle disconnect which has always worked fine.

The way I see it is that with the locker installed, when the jeep is in 2wd the carrier / ring and pinion and drive shaft will always be turning where as previously only the spider gears would spin from the left axle input.

Having the disconnect will eliminate the locker needing to ratchet when turning in 2wd as only the left axle is connected to the carrier.

Am I on the right path here ??

[Jeeperator]

You are right about it always spinning but a TJ does the same thing so no worries, it might hurt your fuel milege a bit but who cares its a Jeep. That setup sounds like it would work kinda like a air(vac) locker lol. In my TJ I dont even notice it up front in 2 wheel drive. I think I might of heard it ratchet once but that might of been the rear detroit. Just be careful not sure how strong those disco shafts are and I figured out a locker will tend to find the weak links.

[dktool]

I finished the install and did a around the block type test drive.

I drove around some in 2wd to get everything lubed up, the first time I put it in 4-high it felt like it was a solid axle. When I made the first left turn (slowly) it was locked up solid, when it finally popped free it sounded UGLY !

After that first event it was quiet and turned corners easily, I figured something broke and it wasn't doing anything.

I went home, jacked it up and did the engagement test that is spelled out in the installation instructions and it did what the instructions described.
Turn the drive shaft until both wheels rotate forward then while holding one wheel have a second person rotate the other wheel backwards and it should release and rotate, then do the same starting with the opposite side.

It did all that.
I was surprised it was driving the wheels at all after the UGLY POP it did the first time.

Tomorrow I will go wheel up on a few logs and rocks and see what it does.

I went with the Spartan over the Aussie because the Spartan in USA made, gotta support our jobs when we can.

[Jeeperator]

Did you put it in 4wd on the street? Definatly not recomended especially with a locker. Mechanical lockers do pop ocasionally and it might need a little break in not to mention to get some gear oil between the teeth and it should work smoother. You must understand when in 4wd that baby is locked if your turning on good traction its going to pop. What nice is you cant disconnect and turn a bit easier.

[dktool]

Did you put it in 4wd on the street? Definatly not recomended.

Yes, yes I did ...................................... do I get the dumb ass award for the day ??

I will try it out today and maybe pull the cover and do a visual inspection to satisfy my curiosity if I trashed it.

[Jeeperator]

LOL! yep. I am sure alot of us have done the same thing. I dont even think its recomended without lockers.

[dktool]

I am sure alot of us have done the same thing.

I hope you mean put in in 4wd on the street, not the trashed it part !

[Jeeperator]

Yea thats what I meant. Mine also has made a real loud pop noise to when on high traction surface I really dont think it hurt anything. Jack it up and check it with disco locked, I think the right wheel will spin free if you broke an axle. Make sure your ujoints are not spreading also.

[dktool]

After further review it appears I did not break anything, at least it appears to operate correctly. I didn't remove the cover to inspect it, I just did the spin test again and went and tried it on some logs and mud.

I wheeled the right front up over a log and parked the axle on the log with the wheel 8 inches off the ground, put it in reverse and it back right off it, no wheel spinning freely in the air without vehicle movement.
I would have never done this before, the rear would have dug holes and I would have been sitting there looking stupid.

Thanks for your input !

[Tumbleweed13]

The "pop" is nothing to worry about. I had a lock-right, that is basically the same locker. I had mine in the rear of my daily driver. Occasionally the teeth would become misaligned, not in the locked position, when you come to a stop. as soon as you hit the gas the teeth will "pop" back into position. This happened alot when I would change lanes, right before I stopped at a signal. I was kinda funny seeing the people around me jump when I hit the gas, when the light turned green.

[LuvToJeep]

Hope that Spartan is working out fine for you?? Were putting one in on my son inlaws TJ this weekend?? Could not find a Aussie anywhere there on back order So it's a Spartan in the front and a Aussie in the Rear!!!