locked front diff
06-28-2010, 01:41 PM
#1
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: montreal
Posts: 29
locked front diff
I am looking for some info on locking my front diff, I have a 94 xj with chrsyler corp diff. I do not want to go the air locker route because of the expense. I do not want to weld it bcause I have to drive it to the trails. I don't drive it very often so I don't need something that would need to stand up to daily driving, just want to be able to get to the trails safetly, usually a 1 to 2 hour drive, any advice would be great.
06-28-2010, 05:03 PM
#2
Re: locked front diff
Limited slips (lock right) or (posi lock) Theres a fellow in Mtl that carries both and can install I will give you his number call him and ask for pricing 514 522 7775 ask for Jeff (Joron Automobile) He also does gear changes.
I see from you signature you have a steering stabilizer on it now?
I see from you signature you have a steering stabilizer on it now?
06-28-2010, 09:41 PM
#3
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: montreal
Posts: 29
Re: locked front diff
yes I took your advice and ordered one for the price it was I thought it was a good idea should be out of the shop on wednesday, I am having the stabilizer quick disconnects and a bored out throttle body put on, I am very curious to see the difference that these mods will have.
06-28-2010, 11:24 PM
#4
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Calgary
Posts: 215
Re: locked front diff
Isn't the Lock Right a lunch box locker that will lock up when going straight and very abruptly unlock when cornering regardless if he is in 4wd or not? Might be interesting on dry pavement and icy conditions. I was under the assumption a LockRight wasn't to be used in the front of any vehicle that was to be used on the road because of the abrupt disengagement and then engagement of the axles as soon as a load was applied.
06-30-2010, 05:20 AM
#5
Moderator
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: New Brunswick
Posts: 889
Re: locked front diff
so theres the tricky bit, you dont want to install one in a full time transfer case, seeing as soon as the additional torque is sensed it locks up... so as soon as theres load on the drive shaft it can engage, in a straight line or in a turn, doesn't matter... it'll lock, so yea
its kinda tricky in a front diff... its not that you cant use it in the front, its just you'll have to have a selectable 2wd case, and maybe change your driving habits to get there without it engaging.
09-15-2010, 10:30 AM
#8
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Somewhere between NE and SW Alberta
Posts: 1,216
Re: locked front diff
Info on standard lunchbox lockers.
Lunchbox lockers come with advantages and disadvantages. An advantage that comes with these drop-in lockers are the fact that they are generally simple devices and are designed to fit into a stock open carrier or in some cases limited slip carrier, reusing stock parts. Since the ring gear is connected to the carrier and the carrier is reused, the ring and pinion gears generally do not need to be setup again. This makes it much easier for a backyard mechanic to install a drop-in "lunchbox" locker. It also allows the locker to be removed and the stock carrier parts be re-installed putting it back to an open carrier (or Limited Slip). Disadvantages of these types of lockers include the fact that their strength is limited to the carrier they are installed in, which can vary greatly. Their strength is moderate to less than moderate and for the most part support what seems to be up to a 33" tires and a mild amount of abuse before encountering problems and damage. Another disadvantage to a drop-in locker is that some have a more severe locking and unlocking feel over a full carrier locker. For this reason some drop-in locker manufacturers incorporate dampening mechanisms to reduce the backlash and harsh engagement / disengagement creating a smoother operating locker. For many people they are a good candidate for a first "economy" locker on vehicles that are mildly modified with slightly oversized tires.
Lunchbox Lockers operate in much the same manner as full carrier automatic lockers. These locker are automatic locking differentials designed to lock both wheels of the axle automatically with power input, when forward or reverse torque is applied, so that both wheels are providing 100% power to the wheels and creating essentially a "spool" that solidly connects the axle shafts together. When torque is not being applied, the locker is allowed to unlock, permitting a differentiation variance in wheel speed while negotiating turns. As an automatic locking differential, the primary drawback is their characteristics when they engage such as accelerating out of a turn or going from torque to no to torque to torque again such as when a manual transmission vehicle is shifting gears. In these situations, the driver must be aware of the characteristics that will affect the handling of the vehicle. For example during a turn the inside axle will spin slower than the outside axle, which is the basic purpose of the differential. If torque is applied to an automatic locker during the turn it will engage due to the torque engaging the locker gears. When the locker engages, it will cause the vehicle to push towards straight ahead or possibly to the inside of the turn. The net effect is somewhat un-predicable handling characteristics when compared to open differentials. These effects are much more noticeable in shorter wheelbase vehicles and smaller lighter vehicles. The odd handling characteristics will also be more apparent if road traction is compromised such as in rain or when the road surface is ice or snow covered. Further noticeable characteristics of automatic lockers can be a banging or clunking noise during engagement of disengagement, delayed engagement, and added significant backlash, also known as slop, in the driveline. Disengagement can be abrupt and sometimes a ratcheting noise can be heard when cornering. Most people who use automatic lockers become accustom to these handling characteristics and adjust their driving style accordingly to accommodate it or just simply just get used to it.
Lunchbox lockers come with advantages and disadvantages. An advantage that comes with these drop-in lockers are the fact that they are generally simple devices and are designed to fit into a stock open carrier or in some cases limited slip carrier, reusing stock parts. Since the ring gear is connected to the carrier and the carrier is reused, the ring and pinion gears generally do not need to be setup again. This makes it much easier for a backyard mechanic to install a drop-in "lunchbox" locker. It also allows the locker to be removed and the stock carrier parts be re-installed putting it back to an open carrier (or Limited Slip). Disadvantages of these types of lockers include the fact that their strength is limited to the carrier they are installed in, which can vary greatly. Their strength is moderate to less than moderate and for the most part support what seems to be up to a 33" tires and a mild amount of abuse before encountering problems and damage. Another disadvantage to a drop-in locker is that some have a more severe locking and unlocking feel over a full carrier locker. For this reason some drop-in locker manufacturers incorporate dampening mechanisms to reduce the backlash and harsh engagement / disengagement creating a smoother operating locker. For many people they are a good candidate for a first "economy" locker on vehicles that are mildly modified with slightly oversized tires.
Lunchbox Lockers operate in much the same manner as full carrier automatic lockers. These locker are automatic locking differentials designed to lock both wheels of the axle automatically with power input, when forward or reverse torque is applied, so that both wheels are providing 100% power to the wheels and creating essentially a "spool" that solidly connects the axle shafts together. When torque is not being applied, the locker is allowed to unlock, permitting a differentiation variance in wheel speed while negotiating turns. As an automatic locking differential, the primary drawback is their characteristics when they engage such as accelerating out of a turn or going from torque to no to torque to torque again such as when a manual transmission vehicle is shifting gears. In these situations, the driver must be aware of the characteristics that will affect the handling of the vehicle. For example during a turn the inside axle will spin slower than the outside axle, which is the basic purpose of the differential. If torque is applied to an automatic locker during the turn it will engage due to the torque engaging the locker gears. When the locker engages, it will cause the vehicle to push towards straight ahead or possibly to the inside of the turn. The net effect is somewhat un-predicable handling characteristics when compared to open differentials. These effects are much more noticeable in shorter wheelbase vehicles and smaller lighter vehicles. The odd handling characteristics will also be more apparent if road traction is compromised such as in rain or when the road surface is ice or snow covered. Further noticeable characteristics of automatic lockers can be a banging or clunking noise during engagement of disengagement, delayed engagement, and added significant backlash, also known as slop, in the driveline. Disengagement can be abrupt and sometimes a ratcheting noise can be heard when cornering. Most people who use automatic lockers become accustom to these handling characteristics and adjust their driving style accordingly to accommodate it or just simply just get used to it.
09-15-2010, 11:54 AM
#9
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Ottawa
Posts: 114
Re: locked front diff
Info on standard lunchbox lockers.
Lunchbox lockers come with advantages and disadvantages. An advantage that comes with these drop-in lockers are the fact that they are generally simple devices and are designed to fit into a stock open carrier or in some cases limited slip carrier, reusing stock parts. Since the ring gear is connected to the carrier and the carrier is reused, the ring and pinion gears generally do not need to be setup again. This makes it much easier for a backyard mechanic to install a drop-in "lunchbox" locker. It also allows the locker to be removed and the stock carrier parts be re-installed putting it back to an open carrier (or Limited Slip). Disadvantages of these types of lockers include the fact that their strength is limited to the carrier they are installed in, which can vary greatly. Their strength is moderate to less than moderate and for the most part support what seems to be up to a 33" tires and a mild amount of abuse before encountering problems and damage. Another disadvantage to a drop-in locker is that some have a more severe locking and unlocking feel over a full carrier locker. For this reason some drop-in locker manufacturers incorporate dampening mechanisms to reduce the backlash and harsh engagement / disengagement creating a smoother operating locker. For many people they are a good candidate for a first "economy" locker on vehicles that are mildly modified with slightly oversized tires.
Lunchbox Lockers operate in much the same manner as full carrier automatic lockers. These locker are automatic locking differentials designed to lock both wheels of the axle automatically with power input, when forward or reverse torque is applied, so that both wheels are providing 100% power to the wheels and creating essentially a "spool" that solidly connects the axle shafts together. When torque is not being applied, the locker is allowed to unlock, permitting a differentiation variance in wheel speed while negotiating turns. As an automatic locking differential, the primary drawback is their characteristics when they engage such as accelerating out of a turn or going from torque to no to torque to torque again such as when a manual transmission vehicle is shifting gears. In these situations, the driver must be aware of the characteristics that will affect the handling of the vehicle. For example during a turn the inside axle will spin slower than the outside axle, which is the basic purpose of the differential. If torque is applied to an automatic locker during the turn it will engage due to the torque engaging the locker gears. When the locker engages, it will cause the vehicle to push towards straight ahead or possibly to the inside of the turn. The net effect is somewhat un-predicable handling characteristics when compared to open differentials. These effects are much more noticeable in shorter wheelbase vehicles and smaller lighter vehicles. The odd handling characteristics will also be more apparent if road traction is compromised such as in rain or when the road surface is ice or snow covered. Further noticeable characteristics of automatic lockers can be a banging or clunking noise during engagement of disengagement, delayed engagement, and added significant backlash, also known as slop, in the driveline. Disengagement can be abrupt and sometimes a ratcheting noise can be heard when cornering. Most people who use automatic lockers become accustom to these handling characteristics and adjust their driving style accordingly to accommodate it or just simply just get used to it.
Lunchbox lockers come with advantages and disadvantages. An advantage that comes with these drop-in lockers are the fact that they are generally simple devices and are designed to fit into a stock open carrier or in some cases limited slip carrier, reusing stock parts. Since the ring gear is connected to the carrier and the carrier is reused, the ring and pinion gears generally do not need to be setup again. This makes it much easier for a backyard mechanic to install a drop-in "lunchbox" locker. It also allows the locker to be removed and the stock carrier parts be re-installed putting it back to an open carrier (or Limited Slip). Disadvantages of these types of lockers include the fact that their strength is limited to the carrier they are installed in, which can vary greatly. Their strength is moderate to less than moderate and for the most part support what seems to be up to a 33" tires and a mild amount of abuse before encountering problems and damage. Another disadvantage to a drop-in locker is that some have a more severe locking and unlocking feel over a full carrier locker. For this reason some drop-in locker manufacturers incorporate dampening mechanisms to reduce the backlash and harsh engagement / disengagement creating a smoother operating locker. For many people they are a good candidate for a first "economy" locker on vehicles that are mildly modified with slightly oversized tires.
Lunchbox Lockers operate in much the same manner as full carrier automatic lockers. These locker are automatic locking differentials designed to lock both wheels of the axle automatically with power input, when forward or reverse torque is applied, so that both wheels are providing 100% power to the wheels and creating essentially a "spool" that solidly connects the axle shafts together. When torque is not being applied, the locker is allowed to unlock, permitting a differentiation variance in wheel speed while negotiating turns. As an automatic locking differential, the primary drawback is their characteristics when they engage such as accelerating out of a turn or going from torque to no to torque to torque again such as when a manual transmission vehicle is shifting gears. In these situations, the driver must be aware of the characteristics that will affect the handling of the vehicle. For example during a turn the inside axle will spin slower than the outside axle, which is the basic purpose of the differential. If torque is applied to an automatic locker during the turn it will engage due to the torque engaging the locker gears. When the locker engages, it will cause the vehicle to push towards straight ahead or possibly to the inside of the turn. The net effect is somewhat un-predicable handling characteristics when compared to open differentials. These effects are much more noticeable in shorter wheelbase vehicles and smaller lighter vehicles. The odd handling characteristics will also be more apparent if road traction is compromised such as in rain or when the road surface is ice or snow covered. Further noticeable characteristics of automatic lockers can be a banging or clunking noise during engagement of disengagement, delayed engagement, and added significant backlash, also known as slop, in the driveline. Disengagement can be abrupt and sometimes a ratcheting noise can be heard when cornering. Most people who use automatic lockers become accustom to these handling characteristics and adjust their driving style accordingly to accommodate it or just simply just get used to it.
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