That's what I have seen too. I'm not so interested in the trac-lock, but a real locker in the rear that would be a great addition. Typically the ESP systems in modern veichles work great while off roading. To the extent that they are on par with, or exceed what traction you could get with a locker. For example the 03+ range rover uses open diffs and an ESP system for traction and I don't think you can say the RR is not top-notch when it comes to traction.
It also is a lot less demanding on the driveline components than lockers are.

Still, it would be nice to have a lockable rear for those extreme low traction situations (deep snow, sand, mud) where the ESP just goes nuts and you don't have much of an optin other than spinning tires to get out of there.

Guys, I actually should have been clearer on what I mentioned about my rear locker on my 06 Renny.....My Renny was a Factory order....because I wanted the lightbar....and the 06's the light bar on the Renny was deleted...meaning it is no longer made with it....so because I wanted it and a locker...they had to order it straight from the factory as a "Custom special order" yes it is expensive to do that and I am now broke as a joke ($40 grand)....so, in the end you can get a DC locker in the rear...I know this because I asked for it and it was included on my packing slip when I recieved the vehicle. Sorry about the confusion and lack of details.

As for having the locker specially put in by DC...no you don't have to....a locker is a fairly simple little gadget...generally its just two discs with teeth on them...and you can get them anywhere that sells jeep parts or off roading supply...and generally they can install them on site.

LEDfoot, you're absolutely right....that is why I asked for the separate locker....the ESp is outstanding in every capacity I have found....and Range Rover does use an open diff.....and of course, they are legendary when it comes capability but to lock up that rear axle just lets the ESP sytem rest in low trac. situations and let the mechanics do all the heavy work while the computer focuses on sustainability issues instead of "What the heck is going on with wheels" for a moment.

_________________
"Earth first, we'll Jeep the other planets later"

-2007 Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon.

Overland Expeditions

hey zeero thanks for the clarification...i was ready to call my dealer and witch em out!
yea sounds like a better idea is to get one from a off-road supply company.
any BRAND suggestions?

thanks again!

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2006 KJ lmt-Midnight Blue
G pkg - mopar skids/hooks/rock rails
Rancho rear-shocks
K&N drop in filter
satelite radio - sunroof
1993 ZJ - Laredo 115k - stock

ARB James....definitely..... sorry about that....imagine you did call and freak on them...my fault but yeah many people on here have many opinions....the ARB Air locker is an outstanding lock set in my opinion....however I'm not sure if its available for the KJ...I'm sure it is....a buddy of mine has an 05 TJ and he just got the ARB Air Locker in it....let me know if you get one and how it works, have a locked diff will change the way you drive on the trails noticeably!

_________________
"Earth first, we'll Jeep the other planets later"

-2007 Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon.

Overland Expeditions

Yes it is available
http://www.arb.com.au/alac/215110.pdf no idea of the cost

_________________
Meddle not in the affairs of Dragons
For you are crunchy and taste good with Catsup

Black 06CRD Sport, Yakima Safari cage, otherwise stock...

There ya go James....

_________________
"Earth first, we'll Jeep the other planets later"

-2007 Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon.

Overland Expeditions

Awesome!

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Sandie
2002 KJ

Heres some pics of the area this whole post was about...went wheeling there today:

Entering the run about area:



Getting some flex...not bad for stock:



Just about full "stock" stuff: (my wife was pleased! )



Entering one of the trails:



Cresting a bump in the trail:



Leaving the area...



LOST again



Thanks for looking!

_________________
"Earth first, we'll Jeep the other planets later"

-2007 Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon.

Overland Expeditions

Hehe, not to mention, a locker is usually a lot more fun than the ESP. At least if you're just playing around in mud/snow/sand.

Do you know what manufacturer DC is using? (Or do they manufacture them themselves).

ARB lockers have always had a good reputation. But they are pretty pricey, especially since you need a whole air system as well.
Eaton makes the electrical locker for the "Off Road" version of the XTerra which has a version of the Dana 44 (I believe) axle, maybe something like that is available for the KJ too (I'm assuming the DC locker you have is electrically rather than air activated?)

Yeah.. I would like to know also.. I would like to find an electric locker like Eaton or the Detroit Electrac... The choices for the Chrysler 8.25 is kind of limited...

Ben

_________________
06 KJ with stuff..
07 JKU Rubi with even more stuff
95 YJ - Waiting on some surgery..

Yep correct guys...electric from DC, I'll put a pic on here of the switch...does no one else here have a DC locker??? I thought they were a fairly popular addition....hmm...anyway I'm not sure if its a special brand or if it is just a "DC" thing...I'd like to know because I've noticed a few things on the Renny to be non-DC...I guess DC has a contract with a few other companies to supply factory parts. (like the roof and bumper lights...Hella.... just as one example)

When I do my lift I'll open up the diff. while I'm under there and have a proper look at the locker and let you guys know what I've got down there in detail....at any rate I'll get pics of the switch, the shipping label, and the locker itself to show you all.

ARB is expensive....the air locker is nuts...my buddy has one on his 05 TJ....a little air tank that has a governor and a pump on it so it recharges (he says it works like the air tank on a trucks air brake system)....which is pretty wild...I'm familiar with electric ones quite well...but the air one definitely gets "Cool points"

_________________
"Earth first, we'll Jeep the other planets later"

-2007 Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon.

Overland Expeditions

Hey...an update on the locker....I pulled out my shipping label and it says "Tru-Lok" rear differential locking system ($380 YIKES!!!).....and I remember and still have the tag that came from factory that was hanging off my shifter that says "WARNING: This vehicle is equppied with the Tru-Lok system. Activating this system at high speeds could cause excessive damge to your vehicle and may cause serious injury or death" So I have also discovered that this is the system used in Rubicon I think....however I'm sure the Rubicon system is two axle...and a little beefier. Still....kinda cool though.

One more thing just going through the paperwork as I type.....its says "this system is electronically controlled and air actuated".....so to my failing knowledge it is air powered....and I thought I was pretty mechanically inclined....I love learning new stuff like this.

_________________
"Earth first, we'll Jeep the other planets later"

-2007 Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon.

Overland Expeditions

Do you mean Trac-Lok?

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===
New KJ Gear - Desert Armor Flak

2004 Renegade Light Khaki - 4" JBA Lift - Rock Lizard Products: Komodo Dragon Rear Bumper, Prototype Winch-mount Front Bumper, Super Skink Sliders - All J's Super Tranny Skid II - 31" Firestone Destination AT's on Moab wheels - Cobra 75W CB w/ stock Antenna mod

[b]Retired, US Military

Interesting. $380 for the locker actually isn't that bad. I wonder if it's actually air actuated (that must mean you have a compressor somewhere) or if it's vaccum like those old jeep front axles.
Tru-Lok is the same as in the Rubicon, does your KJ still have the DC rear axle because I thought the Rubicon had Dana's?

Oh, and front and rear lockers, like in the rubicon, may be nifty little gadgets, but there really is little point in locking anything more than the transfer case and one diff.

Yep, it says "Tru-Lok" on my shipping label. My wife has the KJ out today otherwise I'd look now...and I'm on nights....so I won't see it for a few days...either way I'm gonna have to crawl around under this thing awhile and get some pics for you guys. Even though I'm fairly mechanically inclined....this is testing my limits!! hehehe!!

You are correct that the Rubicon has Dana's (if I do that'd be AWESOME)....and I agree that both diffs being locked is of little point...thats why I asked for the rear only. I'm sure there are others out there who have this package....I'm just REALLY surprised that no one really knows too much about this and whats under my KJ. I thought that most people would get this option if they were planning to go on the trails.

I even looked at the Jeep.com website...and I can't find anything about it. I know I had a custom order and I paid dearly for it...I just thought it'd be a little more popular....especially with it being so hard to find decent lockers for an 8.25?????

Anyway, thanks for the questions and keeping this post so active and showing an interest in my KJ...I'll fire some pics up here over the weekend when I'm off the night shift....BTW night shift sucks up here....no sun and its super cold....running around after badguys in the cold on the ice SUCKS!! Hehe

_________________
"Earth first, we'll Jeep the other planets later"

-2007 Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon.

Overland Expeditions

Probably no one has really gotten it since they (like me) wasn't even aware that you could order that as a factory option.
So did you actually only pay $380 for it in the end, or did they tack on a whole lot of extra charges because it was a custom order?
If it was well known, and only $380 I think it would be a very popular option.

EDIT: Sure sounds nice up there... Haha there is a reason why I left Sweden for some more southernly parts of the world.

Yeah the shipping label says $380....but there is a section that says custom order....and its attached to the destination charge section...dest. charge: $1000, and cust. ord.: $500.....soooo they nabbed me for that, PLUS the labour for installation...see below!!

I have called my dealer about this whole thing. This dealer of mine is just a big soup sandwich as far as I'm concerned......totaly useless.....they claim to dislike the idea of offraoding your vehcile and making alterations outside of the factory spec....yet in this phone call they stated the parts required for my order were sent separately in a box and they installed it all at the dealer. Apparently it is a Dana axle but not the 44's like in a Rubicon....my dealer wasn't sure which one....but apparently it was hard to get...because the ESP system had to be incorporated.

Yeah up here it has snowed over night...some people at work have slipped and fallen on the ice while working and some had some back and ankle injuries.....great huh...off I go again tonight....yeah a little more southern climate or even Western climate would be nice right now....I think I'll move out to the Rockies and be a copper out there instead!!

_________________
"Earth first, we'll Jeep the other planets later"

-2007 Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon.

Overland Expeditions