Even an advanced google search sucks. It includes signature lines and makes it impossible to track down what one is looking for.

I am starting to investigate lockers for my liberty.

ARB seems to be the default answer, but try explaining that to my wife once I have dropped nearly $1200 for parts and then have to pay someone to set it up.... riiiiiiiiggggghhhhhttttt..... (The $1200 seems to be how much I would be looking at with the compressor and the locker)

Aussie lockers seem like a logical choice, but besides from a toyota forum (found that with a google search), no one seems to want to get into details how how "streetable" a lunchbox locker is. I understand that they are locked under power, and if you're coasting they will allow the outside tire to spin faster than the inside but once you try to put any power to the axle the locker will lock and you will either light up the inside tire, or break something.

What about when you are drying to drive up a 35-40mph windy hill that you can't "stay off the gas" during?
What about uphill freeway off ramps? (the kind which do a full 180degree turn?
A right hand turn from a stop sign?
Will it lock in reverse?
What about long winding turns on the freeway? Do you just need to let off the gas to release the tension on the locker?
What about Lockers and ESP? ABS?
Would I be better off putting in the factory Trac-loc in the rear and locking the front?

I understand that if I were to add a front locker that I can pretty much forget about using 4x4 in the snow on the freeways, so I would maybe consider using a lunchbox style in the rear and biting the bullet and getting the ARB for the front... until then I would imagine that 4x3 would be a substantial improvement over the open diff setup.

Beyond that... I understand that the 06 libbies have the Dana 30 front.
How do I know if I have the chrysler 8.25 or the Dana 35 in the rear? Does it matter that my libby is stick? How about the fact it is silver? LOL (j/k on the last one)

Sorry for so many questions. I have no idea where to begin beyond here for getting my head around the different axle combinations.

Thanks all!!!!

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2008 VW Rabbit- 5-speed 5-cylinders
2000 TJ 4-cylinders 5-speed I'll let you know when I figure it out.
2006 Liberty SOLD.

i've run about every locker out there in the past 15 years of building jeeps ,, ARB's and the electric-lockers are very nice . i would recommend those for the front axle . for the rear , ARB's and the electric-lockers are a great choice if you budget allows it but for a jeeper with limited $$$ lunchbox lockers are fine . with the small tires that we run on the libertys your chance of breaking a rear axle is very small...


here's what i'm running right now
the unlimited 42" tires- dana 60 / 14 bolt -- ARB / Detroit locker
the 97 35" tires - dana 30/8.8"ford---lock right/welded carrier
the 46 cj2a 33"tires - dana 27/dana44 ---old powerlock / detroit
the f350 35" tires - dana 60/10.5" ff--- open / factory LSD
the 07 kj 32"tires - dana 30a/8.25 --open/open but soon to be hi pinion 30 / 8.8" e-locker/ lunchbox or e-locker


i will never own again ---- a detroit trutrac or an OX-locker ----- had em both nothing but problem will not sell of install them

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04 tj unlimited on 42"mtr's big toy
97 tj on 37's with fox air shocks - little toy........for sale
46 cj2a w/ 71 v-6 drivetrain work in progress . for sale
01 superduty 4x4 daily driver / tow rig................for sale
08 v dub passat momma's hot rod
00 ford excursion diesel ..... family vacation wagon

I've got front & rear TrueTracs - no problems they work great - awesome in the snow.
a lot of folks run DTT's front and Locker rear (I do too much highway for that)

ARB's are the best.

we've had 2 people kill Powertrax lunchbox lockers - but there a number of other folks who love 'em - I think it's just adjusting your driving style to match.

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2005 CRD
stuff
Skeptic quod gratis asseritur, gratis negatur

+1 aussie in a kk went boom

What about when you are drying to drive up a 35-40mph windy hill that you can't "stay off the gas" during?
--Going to have to live with it banging and popping,hope it isn't icy or your going for a ride--


What about uphill freeway off ramps? (the kind which do a full 180degree turn?
--same answer as above--

A right hand turn from a stop sign?
--expect banging and popping--

Will it lock in reverse?
--Yes--

What about long winding turns on the freeway? Do you just need to let off the gas to release the tension on the locker?
--Yes--

What about Lockers and ESP? ABS?
--Will not effect--

Would I be better off putting in the factory Trac-loc in the rear and locking the front?
--A selectable for the rear and a DTT or ARB for the front is best if you want worry free driving--


I rocked a DTT front and ARB rear and wheeled the snot out of my KJ,very good setup and that DTT up front is awesome in the snow in 4wd,just point and shoot.

ARB are nice because you can turn them on and off at will, but you pay a lot for that.

I run an Aussie in the rear of my daily driven KJ and it works great. You have to keep the tire pressure exactly the same, and can't floor it around corners anymore, but after a day of getting used to driving with the locker it's second nature now. Plus the price can't be beat.

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Randy, Apache Junction, Arizona
04 Liberty
Blown motor and extensive body damage.

The aussie did not pass in the digger testing grounds.........................

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2008 KK Liberty Sport NIGHT OPS EDITION + GILLS
OEM & Custom Skids - Factory Tow Package - Rock Lizard Skink Super Sliders
Prototype JBA 4 Inch Lift - JBA UCA's - Flowmaster Super 44 OR - Whacked Resonator
Jet Stage 2 - RL Gecko Basket Rack - Custom Winch Bumper - Recon 10.5K Winch

The more I read.. and especially after finding an installation sheet for an ARB... the more I think your advice is spot on.

If anyone else wants to read the writeup:
http://www.stu-offroad.com/axle/arb/RD116.pdf

and here is the link I got it from:
http://www.stu-offroad.com/axle/arb/arb-1.htm

I have all the tools for this, and have built more complicated bearing sets than this... so I am pretty sure I can 100% nail the install myself...

Now that I understand that I will get the shim kit for the diff, I am no longer worried about running into problems and having my daily driver being down for a long while.....

Thanks for the suggestions, I have now made my decision.


Mark

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2008 VW Rabbit- 5-speed 5-cylinders
2000 TJ 4-cylinders 5-speed I'll let you know when I figure it out.
2006 Liberty SOLD.

links no worky

Be dang careful installing those o-rings,the tiniest nick and you will have a air leak.

I have an aussie in the rear of my 2006 6 speed renegade. Here is my experience/book with it...

1. AMAZING traction. where i used to use 4wd in snow/ice i dont have to anymore.. it seriously made 2wd feel like the traction from 4wd... and when you put it in 4wd it is unstoppable... seriously almost unstoppable. I do not get any 1 wheel peal when its wet or snowy. I live an hour south of lake erie and we get blasted with lake effect snow and ice every winter.. and this locker has been nothing but outstanding in it. Everyone saying it will kill you on slippery roads has never drove in those situation with one. Sure it will slide from time to time but nothing that is going to kill you.. and nothing that it wouldnt do without the locker in there. I also like that the traction is always there... you can be 100% positive that you have both wheels spinning instead of a limited slip where you could only have 1 spinning.

2. Very cheap... Very quick shipping... Very easy install. By far the best bang for your buck.

3. Speaking of bang... you will hear that noise... but it's not bad since you know what's going on back there. I only hear ratcheting when in REAL tight corners and my windows are down. It will churp the tires when gasing it around tight corners. I've also noticed an increase in tire wear.. but nothing terrible just have to make sure you rotate them.

4. Daily driving is effected. Especially with a manual. But you learn how to do it quickly. Some corners you just take a little extra time between gears to avoid it binding. Also you can use the clutch to unlock it whenever you want to.. or neutral. Also when your driving (even in a straight line) you will get an occasional BANG and it will feel liek the jeep shimmied a little bit.. that's just the nature of the beast.. no big deal. I have no noticed it effect my fuel milage in a positive or negative way. It works very well with ESP. when ESP is off you can spin both wheels as long as you want as fast as you want. however if you try to drift or do a donut the esp. will cut you off and use the ABS to make you straighten out... I avoid this by taking out the ABS pump fuse for the winter ( i LOVE doing donuts ) All in all it's not bad... i do not regret it at all and i will not take it out ever. This was one of the best mod's i did to my jeep.


-----What about when you are drying to drive up a 35-40mph windy hill that you can't "stay off the gas" during?

* You wont know its back there... will just have 100% traction Also locker around corners makes your jeep feel like its on rails.

------What about uphill freeway off ramps? (the kind which do a full 180degree turn?

* You wont know its back there unless you shift gears while in the middle of the turn.. then you'll get a BANG as it resets its self and you'll be able to feel it in the butt of your seat

------A right hand turn from a stop sign?

* Will scrub the inside back tire some.. but not noticeable.

------Will it lock in reverse?

* Good question. I assume it would but i've never really noticed a difference. If you feather the clutch a little bit (which you do when you back up anyway) you'll never notice its there.

------What about long winding turns on the freeway? Do you just need to let off the gas to release the tension on the locker?

* You'll never notice it's back there...

------What about Lockers and ESP? ABS?

* Answered this else where... It's nice having the locker for ABS because when the rear tires are 'locked' the ESP wont shut off your gas because it doesnt sense any slipping. works great

------Would I be better off putting in the factory Trac-loc in the rear and locking the front?

* I've heard of it called factory "trash-loc". i guess they arent very effective and you have to change the clutches when they wear out. but it would be more daily driver friendly. Locking the front is a good idea.. but def. lock the rear first.


5. strength. Even though it is not a 'carrier replacement' like an ARB or Detroit.. i have NEVER heard of someone breaking a carrier in a 8.25 or hurting it in anyway. I also like that aussie has no tire size restrictions for their warrenty. If someone is running 44's with that locker they will warrenty it the same as they would for your 32's.. show's how sure the company is with the strength of their locker... all the other ones have tire size restrictions.



with that said If you can afford to do ARB go for it by all means! it is the ultimate locker. However if you buy an aussie you can afford to buy an ARB bumper and winch as well and still have the same traction an ARB locker will give you


let me know if you have any questions... i'll be glad to answer.

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2006 Renegade. Completely stock.

I rode shotgun (more than once) with this guy (pre-SFA) and saw the KJ do things that I didn’t think the KJ could ever do. After completing chinaman's gulch, all I got to say is

Take a sneak peak at some of the obsticles taken from other Jeepers. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yjbC4s3icfU&NR=1

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2015 Ram Ecodiesel/Big Horn/4x4/Quad Cab
2016 Arctic Fox 22G/Onboard 2500 LP Cummins Onan Generator/160 Watt Solar Panel

I took the road less traveled. Now I'm LOST.

Yea, been there a couple of times with a wrangler guy. That Trooper had no business being there.

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2006 Sport CRD

Could the Aztecs have known, that in 2012 after a 4 year experiment, our country would cease to exist?

2006kj, you're pathetically close to me All I have to do is drive east on 322 for about an hour and a half... and I will be in Jamestown

When it dries out a little I'm going to have to get House34 and myself together and drive out and hit up (was it beaver run?) with you. Then we can pick on Ed for driving an automatic

As far as bumpers go, I am fabbing my own front bumper anyway, so putting in the Aussie over ARB doesn't help me that much... and if the aussie scrubs tires on the street more, I might make up the difference in rubber fairly quickly seeing as I put on over 100 miles on any give day... and banging... I would be fine with it, but I don't think my wife would get in the car with me again after the first time the diff made a *pop* which in it's self would probably be okay because her XK rides a lot nicer than my KJ, but I wanna be able to take my boys wheeling with meand she might be weird about them riding with me if the rear axle is making all sorts of funny noises....

____________

Thanks everyone for the excellent suggestions on the lockers. Considering the amount of miles I put on my liberty each day, I am definitely going to put the ARB in the back, and I will have to consider DTT vs ARB for the front.

TJKJ, mine is a 2006 KJ, would I use the same part number DTT you did for the front? (I am confused whether all liberties have 27 spline D30A's in the front, or if some of them are 29 spline?) The price difference appears to be $400 between a DTT and a ARB up front (considering I will be doing the install, and I will already have the compressor from the rear install)

Does anyone know how long ARB is running the promotion for the free compressor when you buy the locker?

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2008 VW Rabbit- 5-speed 5-cylinders
2000 TJ 4-cylinders 5-speed I'll let you know when I figure it out.
2006 Liberty SOLD.

Thread revival.......
What about in an auto?

I still think the best setup is an ARB in the front and rear. With a push of a button, you can lock or unlock.

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2015 Ram Ecodiesel/Big Horn/4x4/Quad Cab
2016 Arctic Fox 22G/Onboard 2500 LP Cummins Onan Generator/160 Watt Solar Panel

I took the road less traveled. Now I'm LOST.

No doubt. I don't have a lazy 4k to spend on diff centers however, Would love to hear from an auto limited owner who has sn aussie locker in the rear.