tool_guy

As far as I know you cannot put a detroit locker in the front of your jeep. A detroit locker is actually locked all the time and it will unlock when required. That's why the name is confusing to some people. You could use something like and eaton e locker for the front and a detroit in the rear or start with an e locker in the rear and then add the front one later. You'll use the rear much more than the front and then it also depends on how much and what type of trails you actually drive on. I don't use my lockers very much. Only on fairly extreme obstacles. And I normally try it not locked first and see how it goes. You'll be surprised what your jeep will actually go over and through.

AutoJunkieMan

Yeah for sure I am going to wheel a bit before attempting lockers, do you use Air Lockers or Electric Lockers? I was looking at ARB lockers, like 1 grand for the locker itself and almost 300 for a heavy duty compressor then it needs labour and switches etc installed. So what all money in a little over 2 grand just to do the rear? Then I expect 1.5 for the front, thats alot of dough.. :S Kind of regretting not getting a rubi but then again I also heard that the lockers in that are kind of flimsy too if you go up a tire size. To many opinions, not enough experience and it's alot of cash to take a chance.

tool_guy

I have a 03 TJ Rubicon so it has stock air lockers in it with somewhat of a limited slip in the rear. The JKs use an e locker and I know people that have swapped in entire axles in order to get the JK lockers.

The front TJ locker is solid. But the rear has issues with the limited slip gears. I actually broke mine last fall rescuing a guy on a trail near Minden. I had to pull him out about 10.5 KM. Now had I actually had my rear locker enguaged I wouldn't have broken anything.

So since I already have on board air my decision was easy. I went with an ARB locker for the rear and the actual locker installation is beyond my skill level but I have no problem with the wiring and air lines. ARBs instructions are very well written. I also got a good deal on the locker through some club members who own Canadian Shield 4x4 Outfitters down in Niagara Falls. They are worth looking up. Their pricing is very good as they are able to complete their own brokerage and have a us address that they ship to.

Now there are other options other that ARB air lockers. There are some e lockers(Eaton and Yukon are a couple names that come to mind) and some cable actuated lockers of which I don't know any names.

As far as the stock lockers being flimsy I know guys that are running 35's and 37's with the stock JK lockers without any issue. A lot of that comes down to driving style. The people that have lots of problems tend to be heavy on the skinny pedal.

Do some asking around before automatically jumping to the detroit locker. Since this will keep the back axle locked all the time and only unlock when your wheels are spinning at different speeds you'll notice a huge differance on the road. Depending on your driving style you will notice and hear the detroit locker unlock while accelerating and sometimes while turning a corner.

Don't think too much about lockers for the time being. Concentrate more on getting sway bar quick disconnects, better/more agressive tires and a small lift. Unless you already have this done you're not going to get into too many suitations where you will require lockers.

AutoJunkieMan

Don't know much about sway bar disconnects, I was looking at a really nice suspension setup from teraflex. Complete kit, I want new springs and shocks. I have a sport so I got hydraulic shocks at the moment, it wasn't to badly priced and I really don't want a budget boost put on.

Tires I was looking at 35/12.50R15 tires (going down in size for the rim really makes a huge price difference) Looking at Duratracs, less then $200 per tire. Obviously I want to burn down the tires I have now before swapping out, looking at 2.5" lift I don't want to go to high. Looking at new bumper (maybe XRC?) winch with synthetic rope cabling, rear bumper, new carrier (XRC to match?) tons of stuff I want to do to my rig, I think I need to win the lotto!

tool_guy

You can go to a 2.5" budget boost to accomplish what you want. It's not too big. I don't know if 35s would fit under the fenders nicely. Anyone I know that's put 35s on with a smallish lift has to put a flat style fender like the bushwackers on. Again if you want to do something like a 2-2.5" budget boost it will only run you in the $500 range and I'd be more than willing to help you install it in my driveway.

Swaybar disconnects allow you to quickly disconnect the front axle from the sway bar. This will allow much more articulation for your front axle and makes a huge differance on the trail. You can accomplish the same thing my unbolting the stock sway bar links but it's a pain in the butt. I'd only suggest the JKS disconnects. Most others that I've seen use a ball and socket type setup that has a sliding sleeve. Once you get some dirt and mud into the sleeve it becomes hard to operate.

After disconnects and a small lift I'd look at tires and you're correct about the rim size making them less expensive because there are more around. If you have odd ball size rims then the tire are more scarce and therefore they cost more. The most common sizes are 15 and 17.

Once you get to that point because of the larger tires I'd suggest a rear bumper and tire carrier first for 2 reasons. One to keep the added weight off the tailgate of the jeep and two I know on a TJ you cannon put a key in the lock cylinder with a 35" tire on the door.

Then front bumper with good tow points. There is nothing wrong with the stock hooks but it's always nice to use a shackle on a bumper so you don't have to worry about having the strap come unhooked on you. Once you get to that point then you can start looking at winches. Synthetic line is more expensive and more fragile than steel but it's also much safer and lighter.

AutoJunkieMan

I was looking at something more then a budget boost, from what I've been told 35s will go under using this kit. But I was going to want flat fenders anyways, so if I chew these ones up its no biggie!

TeraFlex Part 1251002 - 2.5 Inch Lift Kit - - 4 Wheel Parts

Thats the kit I was looking at getting, I know I definitely want better shocks try and improve the ride quality. I wanted Fox shocks but they are super expensive!

tool_guy

Have a look at Bilstien shocks. They are less expensive than fox. I run them as do a number of other people I wheel with and we're all extremly happy with them.

The other thing that you can do with your stock fenders before you get flat fenders is to trim them. There should be a link or thread somewhere on where exactly to cut them.

Teraflex makes a pretty good product. The other company to look at is Rubicon express and pro comp.

AutoJunkieMan

I've heard alot of people getting that kit and subsituting Bilstien shocks. Teraflex actually offered the kit with that as an order option at one point. I would definetly put them in if I had the option for the upgrade. But I wouldn't if I had 4 shocks I just paid for that will be collecting dust.