Most, of the posts here are just opinions including mine, I dont really know what will happen and am just speculating. So I have to agree with RFCRD, get ahold of jeep and get a real answer.

Then get back here and let us know what they say

Oh, and sorry for straying so far from the original locker in the front question. My vote goes to the true-track LSD instead of a locker, If you must have a locker in the front make it one that you can disengage.

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It may be that your only purpose in life is to serve as a warning to others.

06 CRD Sport
Built 5/11/06
Jeep Green
Rocklizard diff cover
V6 Airbox

Although not in the KJ, I have spent time in a tru-tracked front jeep. That gets my vote as, to me, it operated invisibly. As we do not have lock-outs, this would seem to me to be an important consideration.

I would think that, if the budget allowed for it, the ARB rear would be the best. The no-slip rear ends work in crappy conditions ( snow/ice) but they do have their quirks there. Eddo put it best when we were talking about it Sunday: It is nothing you have to worry about, you just have to remember that it is there. It looks like any auto locker is probably at its worst on the road on ice or light snow. But those are probably the most unsafe conditions to drive in no matter what your equipment. Heavy snow is a different matter that requires a different driving style and can be treated more like mud.

For most wheeling and seamless daily driving, tru-tracked front and rears would seem to be a great idea. the tru-trac is supposedly decent on ice, as well. More hardcore stuff ( including a hardcore wallet) would probably lead you to at least one arb with an arb rear/trutrac front sounds like a good combo, as well.

just my 2 cents

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LOST # 633
'05 KJ 3.7L/6spd/241 245/75/16 MT's
'88 MJ 4.0L/AW4/231 SWB HPD30 & trac-loc D44 w/3.73's
A dirty Jeep is a happy Jeep

hmm... all good information. I will track down the jeep engineringpath and post here.

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THX DJ
My first Jeep, an 06 KJ 4x4 Sport, inferno red, Command Trac, Stock+;
All Mopar skids, Front hooks, Fog Lights, Window tints, Front & Window air deflectors, BFG A/T KO 235/70R16
Rear Class III Hitch and ever Changing.

I was searching around these threads because I'm considering an LSD for the rear. I bought an '05 to avoid the complexity of the ESP/TC package but was unable to find a CRD with the options I wanted which also had the track-lock. Not sure if it's worth the time & expense. Already found this vehicle climbs a snowy grade like a mountain goat (and that's with the lousy factory tires). I think my money would be better spent on some real rubbers before messing with a LSD install.

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2005 Liberty Sport CRD, Lt Khaki, sunroof

Thankful to now be an EX-CRD owner.

Just to give a little input on a PowerTrax No slip (in rear). At first, I was skeptical about a locker when I heard about how having a locker in the back wasn`t that great in snow/ice and noise, but I decided the pros outweighed the cons and went ahead and bought one (off the boards here from a fellow member). Boy, the difference is night and day offroad. Places where I would have had trouble or at least minor slippage at Paragon Offroad Park now became child`s play. Tested it out on Blue trails (Blacks are next step up and that`s for more serious/built up rigs) and it performed flawlessly. Went wherever any of the TJ`s built up went.

As for Highway/road performance, the two concerns were as mentioned above: snow/ice and noise. The noise isnt that bad as I thought. Some may not like the once in awhile "pop" noise but most get used it. And as I stated, its only once in awhile and is totally normal. Sometimes you`ll feel it but it really isn`t anything. The snow and ice, and I must admit here, was one of my biggest concerns. To my surprise, it wasn`t bad at all. Don`t drive like an Indy 500 driver and let off the gas when on turn, and it`s just fine in the snow/wintry conditions. I couldn`t wait for the snow during the winter to go out and play.

Now, mine is an `04 and I have no clue how a locker will interact with the new ESP, but I thought I would throw in my experience with a locker in the rear.

Mike

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My `04 Atlantic Blue Rocky Mtn Ed.
My Webshots Page

EX-Vice Pres. Mid Atlantic Chapter
L.O.S.T. Moderator

Rusty`s Lift, all armor, BB`s, locked, and tons more stuff...and more to come

FYI, ARB lockers will not affect steering at all as they are a selectable locker, meaning they can (and should be) left "open" when not needed.

Also, I think when this topic was being discussed quite some time ago the general consensus was that putting a locker in the front would likely decrease the chances of busting the front diff. Most of the times one has broken the KJ had one front wheel on the ground and the other spinning in the air, then landed stopping the wheel spin suddenly, causing the pinion gear to walk up the ring gear.

As for whether or not you need a front locker, as said above it depends on the terrain you wheel. If I were to put a locker in right now I would only put in a front as most of the time when I get stuck I'm climbing and my rear wheels have traction but only one front wheel does.

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Jeremy - Aurora, CO
L.O.S.T. #0

Future:
2016 Hydro Blue JK Unlimited Rubicon Hard Rock

Previous:
2012 Flame Red JK Unlimited Rubicon - Sold!
2012 Flame Red JK Unlimited Rubicon - Dealer buyback
2003 Silver KJ Freedom 4x4 - Sold!
32s, Frankenlift, BBars, onboard air, dirt.
KJ EVIC Install

At Camp Jeep, a Commander and my KJ both got up on a big log. I didn't get to see my tires as I went up, but the Commander (with ESP), lost traction on both axels as it flexed up on the log. The ESP kicked in and the wheels stopped spinning and up he went. I'm sure I did the same thing, but I couldn't tell. Libby just kept going! (I hate the ESP in 2WD mode, but it seems to workv well in 4WD, but that's another thread...)

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My opinions & advice are taken at your own risk.
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2002 Patriot Blue KJ - Coming soon!
2006 Black LJ (Wrangler Unlimited), auto, custom skids, 3.5" Rubicon Express, Aussie D30, Rocker Guards & Cooper AT3 235x85r16
2009 Patriot Blue D2500, 5.7L Hemi, 4x4, Quad Cab
1967 Alberg 37' Masthead rigged Sloop

I sent a mail via the jeep web page. But if your stll there, maybe you can ask the enginers what is the pro and con to have a LSD or a locker on the 06 with the ESP in both the front and back, or just the front or just the back. I would apprciate it.

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THX DJ
My first Jeep, an 06 KJ 4x4 Sport, inferno red, Command Trac, Stock+;
All Mopar skids, Front hooks, Fog Lights, Window tints, Front & Window air deflectors, BFG A/T KO 235/70R16
Rear Class III Hitch and ever Changing.