D R Seal

I am in need of advice. I recently bought a '99 TJ and am looking to
modify. I am not planning on a LOT of off road but, like to know I can
handle about anything I can dish out. I am looking at lock-right lockers
for front and rear and wonder if there are better applications? Is there
anyway to tell if the rear is a trac-lock without tearing it apart? I am
also looking at a teraflex 3" lift. I really would like your opinions on
this, pease! I am a first time jeep owner and am already in love with my
jeep! Also, hoping to start with something I can upgrade later. Thank
you! Dan

Mike Romain

To test the rear for what's in there, jack up both wheels and turn one
by hand. If the other wheel turns opposite, you have an open diff. If
the other wheel turns the same, you have a limited slip or locker.

Mike
86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00
88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's

D R Seal wrote:
>
> I am in need of advice. I recently bought a '99 TJ and am looking to
> modify. I am not planning on a LOT of off road but, like to know I can
> handle about anything I can dish out. I am looking at lock-right lockers
> for front and rear and wonder if there are better applications? Is there
> anyway to tell if the rear is a trac-lock without tearing it apart? I am
> also looking at a teraflex 3" lift. I really would like your opinions on
> this, pease! I am a first time jeep owner and am already in love with my
> jeep! Also, hoping to start with something I can upgrade later. Thank
> you! Dan

Mike Romain

To test the rear for what's in there, jack up both wheels and turn one
by hand. If the other wheel turns opposite, you have an open diff. If
the other wheel turns the same, you have a limited slip or locker.

Mike
86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00
88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's

D R Seal wrote:
>
> I am in need of advice. I recently bought a '99 TJ and am looking to
> modify. I am not planning on a LOT of off road but, like to know I can
> handle about anything I can dish out. I am looking at lock-right lockers
> for front and rear and wonder if there are better applications? Is there
> anyway to tell if the rear is a trac-lock without tearing it apart? I am
> also looking at a teraflex 3" lift. I really would like your opinions on
> this, pease! I am a first time jeep owner and am already in love with my
> jeep! Also, hoping to start with something I can upgrade later. Thank
> you! Dan

Mike Romain

To test the rear for what's in there, jack up both wheels and turn one
by hand. If the other wheel turns opposite, you have an open diff. If
the other wheel turns the same, you have a limited slip or locker.

Mike
86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00
88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's

D R Seal wrote:
>
> I am in need of advice. I recently bought a '99 TJ and am looking to
> modify. I am not planning on a LOT of off road but, like to know I can
> handle about anything I can dish out. I am looking at lock-right lockers
> for front and rear and wonder if there are better applications? Is there
> anyway to tell if the rear is a trac-lock without tearing it apart? I am
> also looking at a teraflex 3" lift. I really would like your opinions on
> this, pease! I am a first time jeep owner and am already in love with my
> jeep! Also, hoping to start with something I can upgrade later. Thank
> you! Dan

Jerry Bransford

Is your Jeep a daily driver? If so, then there are much better behaved
lockers for the rear axle than the Lockrite. While a Lockrite is great in
the front axle, I sure wouldn't think about one for the rear if I drove my
TJ every day.

Jerry
--
Jerry Bransford
To email, remove 'me' from my email address
N6TAY, PP-ASEL
See the Geezer Jeep at
http://members.***.net/jerrypb/

"D R Seal" <dr_spy@webtv.net> wrote in message
news:4845-4014EB32-145@storefull-3313.bay.webtv.net...
> I am in need of advice. I recently bought a '99 TJ and am looking to
> modify. I am not planning on a LOT of off road but, like to know I can
> handle about anything I can dish out. I am looking at lock-right lockers
> for front and rear and wonder if there are better applications? Is there
> anyway to tell if the rear is a trac-lock without tearing it apart? I am
> also looking at a teraflex 3" lift. I really would like your opinions on
> this, pease! I am a first time jeep owner and am already in love with my
> jeep! Also, hoping to start with something I can upgrade later. Thank
> you! Dan
>

Jerry Bransford

Is your Jeep a daily driver? If so, then there are much better behaved
lockers for the rear axle than the Lockrite. While a Lockrite is great in
the front axle, I sure wouldn't think about one for the rear if I drove my
TJ every day.

Jerry
--
Jerry Bransford
To email, remove 'me' from my email address
N6TAY, PP-ASEL
See the Geezer Jeep at
http://members.***.net/jerrypb/

"D R Seal" <dr_spy@webtv.net> wrote in message
news:4845-4014EB32-145@storefull-3313.bay.webtv.net...
> I am in need of advice. I recently bought a '99 TJ and am looking to
> modify. I am not planning on a LOT of off road but, like to know I can
> handle about anything I can dish out. I am looking at lock-right lockers
> for front and rear and wonder if there are better applications? Is there
> anyway to tell if the rear is a trac-lock without tearing it apart? I am
> also looking at a teraflex 3" lift. I really would like your opinions on
> this, pease! I am a first time jeep owner and am already in love with my
> jeep! Also, hoping to start with something I can upgrade later. Thank
> you! Dan
>

Jerry Bransford

Is your Jeep a daily driver? If so, then there are much better behaved
lockers for the rear axle than the Lockrite. While a Lockrite is great in
the front axle, I sure wouldn't think about one for the rear if I drove my
TJ every day.

Jerry
--
Jerry Bransford
To email, remove 'me' from my email address
N6TAY, PP-ASEL
See the Geezer Jeep at
http://members.***.net/jerrypb/

"D R Seal" <dr_spy@webtv.net> wrote in message
news:4845-4014EB32-145@storefull-3313.bay.webtv.net...
> I am in need of advice. I recently bought a '99 TJ and am looking to
> modify. I am not planning on a LOT of off road but, like to know I can
> handle about anything I can dish out. I am looking at lock-right lockers
> for front and rear and wonder if there are better applications? Is there
> anyway to tell if the rear is a trac-lock without tearing it apart? I am
> also looking at a teraflex 3" lift. I really would like your opinions on
> this, pease! I am a first time jeep owner and am already in love with my
> jeep! Also, hoping to start with something I can upgrade later. Thank
> you! Dan
>

Steve

Hi Dan,

Before you upgrade anything, get some basic recovery gear (hilift jack,
2 ton come-along hand winch, chain, straps, tow hooks) and go off road
as much as you can in stock form. Seek out your local Jeep/offroad club
and attend some organized runs so you can learn driving technique with
recovery/repair help if (when) you need it.

One of the first 'mods' you can make is to disconnect your front sway
bar when on the trail. It's free (if rather time consuming). Always
reconnect before getting back on the road.

After you get some experience, you'll start to know what sort of
upgrades you'll want. Best advice I was ever given was to decide exactly
what you want before you start investing and then develop a phased
plan to get there. You'll waste the least amount of money this way.

The main decision when building in phases is whether to first lock it or
lift it. Sort of depends on your local terrain. Lockers: steep grades.
Lift: uneven terrain.

Another sage bit of advice is to lift only as much as required to fit
the tires you want. If you are looking at 3" lift, you are likely
considering bigger tires. Bigger tires often mean wider wheels with less
backspacing. Also, when lifting 3", you'll probably want a slip-yoke
eliminator and a new CV drive shaft:

http://www.4xshaft.com/techinfo.html

When the bigger tires go on, you'll likely need lower ratio ring and
pinion gears to maintain your RPM/speed ratio:

http://www.4wheelparts.com/Tirel_Gear_Ratio.asp

Regearing can be costly and usually requires an experienced mechanic
($$$) to do the setup. If your plans include a locker that replaces the
ring gear carrier, it may be best to install the locker when you regear.

When choosing lockers, you should consider your local on-road driving
conditions. If you see significant snow or ice where you live, you may
want to avoid automatic lockers (front and rear) and instead plan on
manual lockers (ARB, OX, etc) and/or limited slips. Some automatic
lockers (Lockright) fit inside your carrier and don't affect the ring &
pinion setup. You can install them yourself pretty easily. Some people
routinely remove them in the winter and put them back in after the thaw.

Another important consideration is your rear axle assembly. Adding large
tires and a locker to a Dana 35 is a recipe for breakage. If you have a
Dana 35, you should upgrade it or find a replacement such as a Dana 44
or a Ford 8.8 before you invest in gears and lockers:

http://www.footeaxle.com/Pages/start.html
http://www.4x4wire.com/jeep/tech/axle/xj_dana44_02/
http://www.jedi.com/obiwan/jeep/ford88.html

If you're not quite ready to jump on the slippery slope, you might want
to look at a budget boost, slightly-larger-than-stock tires in an
offroad AT or MT pattern, and a lockright or two. Rocker rails and skid
plates would help if you stay low and won't be a wasted investment if
you later lift higher.

Steve
90 XJ: 4.5" RE SuperFlex, OME Nitros, 33x10.50R15 BFG MT, 4.10 R&P


D R Seal wrote:
> I am in need of advice. I recently bought a '99 TJ and am looking to
> modify. I am not planning on a LOT of off road but, like to know I can
> handle about anything I can dish out. I am looking at lock-right lockers
> for front and rear and wonder if there are better applications? Is there
> anyway to tell if the rear is a trac-lock without tearing it apart? I am
> also looking at a teraflex 3" lift. I really would like your opinions on
> this, pease! I am a first time jeep owner and am already in love with my
> jeep! Also, hoping to start with something I can upgrade later. Thank
> you! Dan
>

Steve

Hi Dan,

Before you upgrade anything, get some basic recovery gear (hilift jack,
2 ton come-along hand winch, chain, straps, tow hooks) and go off road
as much as you can in stock form. Seek out your local Jeep/offroad club
and attend some organized runs so you can learn driving technique with
recovery/repair help if (when) you need it.

One of the first 'mods' you can make is to disconnect your front sway
bar when on the trail. It's free (if rather time consuming). Always
reconnect before getting back on the road.

After you get some experience, you'll start to know what sort of
upgrades you'll want. Best advice I was ever given was to decide exactly
what you want before you start investing and then develop a phased
plan to get there. You'll waste the least amount of money this way.

The main decision when building in phases is whether to first lock it or
lift it. Sort of depends on your local terrain. Lockers: steep grades.
Lift: uneven terrain.

Another sage bit of advice is to lift only as much as required to fit
the tires you want. If you are looking at 3" lift, you are likely
considering bigger tires. Bigger tires often mean wider wheels with less
backspacing. Also, when lifting 3", you'll probably want a slip-yoke
eliminator and a new CV drive shaft:

http://www.4xshaft.com/techinfo.html

When the bigger tires go on, you'll likely need lower ratio ring and
pinion gears to maintain your RPM/speed ratio:

http://www.4wheelparts.com/Tirel_Gear_Ratio.asp

Regearing can be costly and usually requires an experienced mechanic
($$$) to do the setup. If your plans include a locker that replaces the
ring gear carrier, it may be best to install the locker when you regear.

When choosing lockers, you should consider your local on-road driving
conditions. If you see significant snow or ice where you live, you may
want to avoid automatic lockers (front and rear) and instead plan on
manual lockers (ARB, OX, etc) and/or limited slips. Some automatic
lockers (Lockright) fit inside your carrier and don't affect the ring &
pinion setup. You can install them yourself pretty easily. Some people
routinely remove them in the winter and put them back in after the thaw.

Another important consideration is your rear axle assembly. Adding large
tires and a locker to a Dana 35 is a recipe for breakage. If you have a
Dana 35, you should upgrade it or find a replacement such as a Dana 44
or a Ford 8.8 before you invest in gears and lockers:

http://www.footeaxle.com/Pages/start.html
http://www.4x4wire.com/jeep/tech/axle/xj_dana44_02/
http://www.jedi.com/obiwan/jeep/ford88.html

If you're not quite ready to jump on the slippery slope, you might want
to look at a budget boost, slightly-larger-than-stock tires in an
offroad AT or MT pattern, and a lockright or two. Rocker rails and skid
plates would help if you stay low and won't be a wasted investment if
you later lift higher.

Steve
90 XJ: 4.5" RE SuperFlex, OME Nitros, 33x10.50R15 BFG MT, 4.10 R&P


D R Seal wrote:
> I am in need of advice. I recently bought a '99 TJ and am looking to
> modify. I am not planning on a LOT of off road but, like to know I can
> handle about anything I can dish out. I am looking at lock-right lockers
> for front and rear and wonder if there are better applications? Is there
> anyway to tell if the rear is a trac-lock without tearing it apart? I am
> also looking at a teraflex 3" lift. I really would like your opinions on
> this, pease! I am a first time jeep owner and am already in love with my
> jeep! Also, hoping to start with something I can upgrade later. Thank
> you! Dan
>

Steve

Hi Dan,

Before you upgrade anything, get some basic recovery gear (hilift jack,
2 ton come-along hand winch, chain, straps, tow hooks) and go off road
as much as you can in stock form. Seek out your local Jeep/offroad club
and attend some organized runs so you can learn driving technique with
recovery/repair help if (when) you need it.

One of the first 'mods' you can make is to disconnect your front sway
bar when on the trail. It's free (if rather time consuming). Always
reconnect before getting back on the road.

After you get some experience, you'll start to know what sort of
upgrades you'll want. Best advice I was ever given was to decide exactly
what you want before you start investing and then develop a phased
plan to get there. You'll waste the least amount of money this way.

The main decision when building in phases is whether to first lock it or
lift it. Sort of depends on your local terrain. Lockers: steep grades.
Lift: uneven terrain.

Another sage bit of advice is to lift only as much as required to fit
the tires you want. If you are looking at 3" lift, you are likely
considering bigger tires. Bigger tires often mean wider wheels with less
backspacing. Also, when lifting 3", you'll probably want a slip-yoke
eliminator and a new CV drive shaft:

http://www.4xshaft.com/techinfo.html

When the bigger tires go on, you'll likely need lower ratio ring and
pinion gears to maintain your RPM/speed ratio:

http://www.4wheelparts.com/Tirel_Gear_Ratio.asp

Regearing can be costly and usually requires an experienced mechanic
($$$) to do the setup. If your plans include a locker that replaces the
ring gear carrier, it may be best to install the locker when you regear.

When choosing lockers, you should consider your local on-road driving
conditions. If you see significant snow or ice where you live, you may
want to avoid automatic lockers (front and rear) and instead plan on
manual lockers (ARB, OX, etc) and/or limited slips. Some automatic
lockers (Lockright) fit inside your carrier and don't affect the ring &
pinion setup. You can install them yourself pretty easily. Some people
routinely remove them in the winter and put them back in after the thaw.

Another important consideration is your rear axle assembly. Adding large
tires and a locker to a Dana 35 is a recipe for breakage. If you have a
Dana 35, you should upgrade it or find a replacement such as a Dana 44
or a Ford 8.8 before you invest in gears and lockers:

http://www.footeaxle.com/Pages/start.html
http://www.4x4wire.com/jeep/tech/axle/xj_dana44_02/
http://www.jedi.com/obiwan/jeep/ford88.html

If you're not quite ready to jump on the slippery slope, you might want
to look at a budget boost, slightly-larger-than-stock tires in an
offroad AT or MT pattern, and a lockright or two. Rocker rails and skid
plates would help if you stay low and won't be a wasted investment if
you later lift higher.

Steve
90 XJ: 4.5" RE SuperFlex, OME Nitros, 33x10.50R15 BFG MT, 4.10 R&P


D R Seal wrote:
> I am in need of advice. I recently bought a '99 TJ and am looking to
> modify. I am not planning on a LOT of off road but, like to know I can
> handle about anything I can dish out. I am looking at lock-right lockers
> for front and rear and wonder if there are better applications? Is there
> anyway to tell if the rear is a trac-lock without tearing it apart? I am
> also looking at a teraflex 3" lift. I really would like your opinions on
> this, pease! I am a first time jeep owner and am already in love with my
> jeep! Also, hoping to start with something I can upgrade later. Thank
> you! Dan
>