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I finally had a chance to wheel the KJ after installing both a DTT in the front diff and a PowerTrax in the rear diff. I am not lifted, so I am still running 3.73 gears. Mind you, I had only driven the KJ twice (in daily driver mode) after installation day, but have since passed the break-in period.
I drove 2 hours south west from my home to wheel with a guy who owns a really cool modded CJ5. After first installing the limited slips, what I thought was an occasional click on turns, actually turned out not to be clicking but a combination of a bad cv axle, and occasional tire chirp from torque transfer while on and off the throttle. I've experienced tire chirp before and this was different. I also experienced driveline backlash but that seems to have cleared up some with the installation of new u-joints. So now I have new axles, u-joints as mentioned and all appears to be well. In my case, driving took some getting used to with limited-slips. Once accustomed to the characteristics, for the most part, I no longer realize there is a limited-slip in either diif. Of course I generally don't take corners at 40 mph either. Bottonline, the KJ's on-road manners have improved some.
Off-road, the KJ doesn't bogg down as it did previously when climbing. I climbed in 4-lo and 2wd with little effort. Airing down the BFG AT KO's from 40 psi, to 20 psi. (I also removed the rear swaybar) made a difference. More than once I entered a mud puddle and suddenly felt the tires slippng. Using the brakes gradually, I felt the DTT hook-up thus providing traction to pull me through with little effort. Another time I was straddling rocky - muddy water filled ruts when I realized I only had traction on opposite tires - again, gradually applying the brakes, I quickly felt the tires grab traction as the DTT & PowerTrax engaged allowing me to continue through without getting hung-up in the ruts. The last time I found myself in a similar situation with open diffs, I had to be pulled out in reverse by a Samurai. Oh and for the record, I was really impressed with how well these AT's did aired down. Of course I was reminded afterwards that mud tires would have cleared mud faster in many situations but over-all they're great tires in my book.
Meanwhile, I tackled some steep hill climbs (mild to hard on the throttle), and a couple of tall berms with minimal effort. A few of these hills I would not have attempted with open diffs. Mind you I am a newb to four wheeling and owning a KJ, but now being (somewhat) locked using the throttle / brake method, I felt no fear. I was climbing and descending hills with one bad CJ. Speaking of descents, I was surprised how little braking action was required with locked diffs.
Needless to say, this guy was impressed by my ability to follow. I had the straps attached front & rear on the KJ just in case, but they were never used. He on the other hand joked early on, that he might put the winch to use today. He didn't know what the KJ, or I for that matter could handle. I was also a little surprised to discover there is very little, if any, loss of turning radius off-road. I was able to climb loose gravel / rock / dirt hills, and make sharp turns once crested with no trouble what so ever. I had the same positive results throughout turns on the level narrow trails as well. And crawling a couple of downed mighty oaks, well that was too much fun.
In the end, I had a good time wheeling with my new friend (he is actually a customer who brings his Harley in for warrenty work and who happens to own 100+ acres of wooded land just out past where Jesus lost his sandals). But seriously, I feel good once again - I have been told I did real good for a newb, as it was put to me, at this off-road stuff. More importantly, I feel even better knowing what this KJ can do especially with limited slip's. Oh and for the record, I was told by someone from a 4x4 shop that the DTT is more locker than it is limited-slip. Regardless, these devices, work amazingly well. I recommend either of these units to anyone considering them. I am told they will hold snow covered roads better than a open diff.
Meanwhile, this KJ still needs to be lifted....
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Illegitima Non carborundom!
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Anyway, we've come full circle again and now I am content with waiting until March. I figure spring fever will be running rampid with me by then, so we'll see how it goes. IOW, I'm back to, yet to be determined....