Scotty

I drive a 1997 TJ, 4 banger, 5 speed, 2 1/2" lift, 31" tires, front
swaybar disconnects, otherwise stock. I drive two-track roads for
hunting, camping and fishing in all kinds of weather. I have also done
Moab Jeep Safari three times and have been able to negotiate 3 1/2
rated trails without getting hung-up. I try to drive with a light
foot. Where I live winter with icey roads can happen anytime between
Sep 1 and May 31. I have recently been considering some sort of locker
or limited slip. As I see it, I can do a rear ARB with all the bells
and whistles or a front and rear limited slip for about the same price.
These things are new to me, and I am the only Jeeper in my small town
so I have no one to turn to for real life experiences. What are the
advantages/disadvantages of each? Will I be satisfied with the limited
slip as I try new and maybe tougher trails? A person I talked with at
a Six States Distributors recomended an electric locker. From what I
have read about these is that they function as a limited slip until
activated, but they seem cheaper than an ARB. Any help and advice is
appreciated.

Earle Horton

Adding a locker to the POS cheap *** rear axle you have can over stress it
to the point of destruction, even with a four banger. If you like to
fishtail a lot on icy roads, then a limited slip on the back only might not
be a bad idea. If you like to go sideways, put one on the front too.

If you seriously want to increase the off road ability of your Jeep, then an
axle upgrade sounds like a good idea.

Earle

"Scotty" <ssargent@onewest.net> wrote in message
news:1158098511.484313.155500@i3g2000cwc.googlegro ups.com...
> I drive a 1997 TJ, 4 banger, 5 speed, 2 1/2" lift, 31" tires, front
> swaybar disconnects, otherwise stock. I drive two-track roads for
> hunting, camping and fishing in all kinds of weather. I have also done
> Moab Jeep Safari three times and have been able to negotiate 3 1/2
> rated trails without getting hung-up. I try to drive with a light
> foot. Where I live winter with icey roads can happen anytime between
> Sep 1 and May 31. I have recently been considering some sort of locker
> or limited slip. As I see it, I can do a rear ARB with all the bells
> and whistles or a front and rear limited slip for about the same price.
> These things are new to me, and I am the only Jeeper in my small town
> so I have no one to turn to for real life experiences. What are the
> advantages/disadvantages of each? Will I be satisfied with the limited
> slip as I try new and maybe tougher trails? A person I talked with at
> a Six States Distributors recomended an electric locker. From what I
> have read about these is that they function as a limited slip until
> activated, but they seem cheaper than an ARB. Any help and advice is
> appreciated.
>

Earle Horton

Adding a locker to the POS cheap *** rear axle you have can over stress it
to the point of destruction, even with a four banger. If you like to
fishtail a lot on icy roads, then a limited slip on the back only might not
be a bad idea. If you like to go sideways, put one on the front too.

If you seriously want to increase the off road ability of your Jeep, then an
axle upgrade sounds like a good idea.

Earle

"Scotty" <ssargent@onewest.net> wrote in message
news:1158098511.484313.155500@i3g2000cwc.googlegro ups.com...
> I drive a 1997 TJ, 4 banger, 5 speed, 2 1/2" lift, 31" tires, front
> swaybar disconnects, otherwise stock. I drive two-track roads for
> hunting, camping and fishing in all kinds of weather. I have also done
> Moab Jeep Safari three times and have been able to negotiate 3 1/2
> rated trails without getting hung-up. I try to drive with a light
> foot. Where I live winter with icey roads can happen anytime between
> Sep 1 and May 31. I have recently been considering some sort of locker
> or limited slip. As I see it, I can do a rear ARB with all the bells
> and whistles or a front and rear limited slip for about the same price.
> These things are new to me, and I am the only Jeeper in my small town
> so I have no one to turn to for real life experiences. What are the
> advantages/disadvantages of each? Will I be satisfied with the limited
> slip as I try new and maybe tougher trails? A person I talked with at
> a Six States Distributors recomended an electric locker. From what I
> have read about these is that they function as a limited slip until
> activated, but they seem cheaper than an ARB. Any help and advice is
> appreciated.
>

Earle Horton

Adding a locker to the POS cheap *** rear axle you have can over stress it
to the point of destruction, even with a four banger. If you like to
fishtail a lot on icy roads, then a limited slip on the back only might not
be a bad idea. If you like to go sideways, put one on the front too.

If you seriously want to increase the off road ability of your Jeep, then an
axle upgrade sounds like a good idea.

Earle

"Scotty" <ssargent@onewest.net> wrote in message
news:1158098511.484313.155500@i3g2000cwc.googlegro ups.com...
> I drive a 1997 TJ, 4 banger, 5 speed, 2 1/2" lift, 31" tires, front
> swaybar disconnects, otherwise stock. I drive two-track roads for
> hunting, camping and fishing in all kinds of weather. I have also done
> Moab Jeep Safari three times and have been able to negotiate 3 1/2
> rated trails without getting hung-up. I try to drive with a light
> foot. Where I live winter with icey roads can happen anytime between
> Sep 1 and May 31. I have recently been considering some sort of locker
> or limited slip. As I see it, I can do a rear ARB with all the bells
> and whistles or a front and rear limited slip for about the same price.
> These things are new to me, and I am the only Jeeper in my small town
> so I have no one to turn to for real life experiences. What are the
> advantages/disadvantages of each? Will I be satisfied with the limited
> slip as I try new and maybe tougher trails? A person I talked with at
> a Six States Distributors recomended an electric locker. From what I
> have read about these is that they function as a limited slip until
> activated, but they seem cheaper than an ARB. Any help and advice is
> appreciated.
>

Mike Romain

I really prefer my open diffs for the snow. I have a CJ7 as my daily
driver up here in Canada. With my 33x9.5" muds in snow, a TJ locked
front and rear can more or less keep up if they don't slide sideways off
the trail....

If I went for a locker I would go electric or cable only. As it is, I
use 2 wheel drive at lots of intersections because 4x4 can end up
plowing the front wheels straight when turning left at intersections.
With a locker, that kind of slushy turn would be impossible.

I have been 'stuck' on slushy ice with one front wheel and one back
wheel spinning away and the boys going for the straps and I have hit the
brake pedal hard while goosing the gas to get all 4 wheels tossing
rooster tails and away I go.

This method loads up the spinning wheel until the torque equals the
break away torque needed for the tire not spinning and gets the diff to
lock up both axles. The owners manual says you can use the emergency
brake to do this, but I have better luck with the brake pedal.

Mike
86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00
88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's
Canadian Off Road Trips Photos: Non members can still view!
Jan/06 http://www.imagestation.com/album/pi...?id=2115147590
(More Off Road album links at bottom of the view page)

Scotty wrote:
>
> I drive a 1997 TJ, 4 banger, 5 speed, 2 1/2" lift, 31" tires, front
> swaybar disconnects, otherwise stock. I drive two-track roads for
> hunting, camping and fishing in all kinds of weather. I have also done
> Moab Jeep Safari three times and have been able to negotiate 3 1/2
> rated trails without getting hung-up. I try to drive with a light
> foot. Where I live winter with icey roads can happen anytime between
> Sep 1 and May 31. I have recently been considering some sort of locker
> or limited slip. As I see it, I can do a rear ARB with all the bells
> and whistles or a front and rear limited slip for about the same price.
> These things are new to me, and I am the only Jeeper in my small town
> so I have no one to turn to for real life experiences. What are the
> advantages/disadvantages of each? Will I be satisfied with the limited
> slip as I try new and maybe tougher trails? A person I talked with at
> a Six States Distributors recomended an electric locker. From what I
> have read about these is that they function as a limited slip until
> activated, but they seem cheaper than an ARB. Any help and advice is
> appreciated.

Mike Romain

I really prefer my open diffs for the snow. I have a CJ7 as my daily
driver up here in Canada. With my 33x9.5" muds in snow, a TJ locked
front and rear can more or less keep up if they don't slide sideways off
the trail....

If I went for a locker I would go electric or cable only. As it is, I
use 2 wheel drive at lots of intersections because 4x4 can end up
plowing the front wheels straight when turning left at intersections.
With a locker, that kind of slushy turn would be impossible.

I have been 'stuck' on slushy ice with one front wheel and one back
wheel spinning away and the boys going for the straps and I have hit the
brake pedal hard while goosing the gas to get all 4 wheels tossing
rooster tails and away I go.

This method loads up the spinning wheel until the torque equals the
break away torque needed for the tire not spinning and gets the diff to
lock up both axles. The owners manual says you can use the emergency
brake to do this, but I have better luck with the brake pedal.

Mike
86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00
88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's
Canadian Off Road Trips Photos: Non members can still view!
Jan/06 http://www.imagestation.com/album/pi...?id=2115147590
(More Off Road album links at bottom of the view page)

Scotty wrote:
>
> I drive a 1997 TJ, 4 banger, 5 speed, 2 1/2" lift, 31" tires, front
> swaybar disconnects, otherwise stock. I drive two-track roads for
> hunting, camping and fishing in all kinds of weather. I have also done
> Moab Jeep Safari three times and have been able to negotiate 3 1/2
> rated trails without getting hung-up. I try to drive with a light
> foot. Where I live winter with icey roads can happen anytime between
> Sep 1 and May 31. I have recently been considering some sort of locker
> or limited slip. As I see it, I can do a rear ARB with all the bells
> and whistles or a front and rear limited slip for about the same price.
> These things are new to me, and I am the only Jeeper in my small town
> so I have no one to turn to for real life experiences. What are the
> advantages/disadvantages of each? Will I be satisfied with the limited
> slip as I try new and maybe tougher trails? A person I talked with at
> a Six States Distributors recomended an electric locker. From what I
> have read about these is that they function as a limited slip until
> activated, but they seem cheaper than an ARB. Any help and advice is
> appreciated.

Mike Romain

I really prefer my open diffs for the snow. I have a CJ7 as my daily
driver up here in Canada. With my 33x9.5" muds in snow, a TJ locked
front and rear can more or less keep up if they don't slide sideways off
the trail....

If I went for a locker I would go electric or cable only. As it is, I
use 2 wheel drive at lots of intersections because 4x4 can end up
plowing the front wheels straight when turning left at intersections.
With a locker, that kind of slushy turn would be impossible.

I have been 'stuck' on slushy ice with one front wheel and one back
wheel spinning away and the boys going for the straps and I have hit the
brake pedal hard while goosing the gas to get all 4 wheels tossing
rooster tails and away I go.

This method loads up the spinning wheel until the torque equals the
break away torque needed for the tire not spinning and gets the diff to
lock up both axles. The owners manual says you can use the emergency
brake to do this, but I have better luck with the brake pedal.

Mike
86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00
88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's
Canadian Off Road Trips Photos: Non members can still view!
Jan/06 http://www.imagestation.com/album/pi...?id=2115147590
(More Off Road album links at bottom of the view page)

Scotty wrote:
>
> I drive a 1997 TJ, 4 banger, 5 speed, 2 1/2" lift, 31" tires, front
> swaybar disconnects, otherwise stock. I drive two-track roads for
> hunting, camping and fishing in all kinds of weather. I have also done
> Moab Jeep Safari three times and have been able to negotiate 3 1/2
> rated trails without getting hung-up. I try to drive with a light
> foot. Where I live winter with icey roads can happen anytime between
> Sep 1 and May 31. I have recently been considering some sort of locker
> or limited slip. As I see it, I can do a rear ARB with all the bells
> and whistles or a front and rear limited slip for about the same price.
> These things are new to me, and I am the only Jeeper in my small town
> so I have no one to turn to for real life experiences. What are the
> advantages/disadvantages of each? Will I be satisfied with the limited
> slip as I try new and maybe tougher trails? A person I talked with at
> a Six States Distributors recomended an electric locker. From what I
> have read about these is that they function as a limited slip until
> activated, but they seem cheaper than an ARB. Any help and advice is
> appreciated.

Daniel Bibbens

"Scotty" <ssargent@onewest.net> writes:

> I drive a 1997 TJ, 4 banger, 5 speed, 2 1/2" lift, 31" tires, front
> swaybar disconnects, otherwise stock. I drive two-track roads for
>
> [..snipped..]
>
> These things are new to me, and I am the only Jeeper in my small
> town so I have no one to turn to for real life experiences. What
> are the advantages/disadvantages of each? Will I be satisfied with
> the limited slip as I try new and maybe tougher trails? A person I
>
> [..snipped..]

I have a setup similar to yours except that I have a Dana 44 with
limited-slip differential on the rear axle. My TJ is a 2004. I go
off-roading nearly every weekend in Southern California (where I
live). Here is the sum of my experience: Excellent tires and excellent
articulation will get you very far. Practice will take you farther
still, and a good line through/over an obstacle gets easier to spot
with experience.

I regularly ride "Black Diamond" (3 on a scale from 1 to 3 -- 3 being
toughest) trails here. I've not gotten stuck but have had to make a
second try on a couple of occasions. The limited-slip diff is nice to
have and it is my opinion, based on my experience and from observing
others, that a full lockers will offer an advantage ONLY at the margin
and in rare circumstances vs. limited-slip.

I prefer narrow tires and the lowest center of gravity possible (the
math seems natural to me). The only change I am considering is the
addition of an OX locker (engaged manually with a cable, not air or
electicity) to the front axle (which is open now), though I doubt I'll
ever use it. I'd invest in this order: tires (I have Mickey Thompson
Baja Claw radials and LOVE them), articulation, hi-lift jack, winch,
and then limited-slip differential(s).
--

Daniel Bibbens

"Scotty" <ssargent@onewest.net> writes:

> I drive a 1997 TJ, 4 banger, 5 speed, 2 1/2" lift, 31" tires, front
> swaybar disconnects, otherwise stock. I drive two-track roads for
>
> [..snipped..]
>
> These things are new to me, and I am the only Jeeper in my small
> town so I have no one to turn to for real life experiences. What
> are the advantages/disadvantages of each? Will I be satisfied with
> the limited slip as I try new and maybe tougher trails? A person I
>
> [..snipped..]

I have a setup similar to yours except that I have a Dana 44 with
limited-slip differential on the rear axle. My TJ is a 2004. I go
off-roading nearly every weekend in Southern California (where I
live). Here is the sum of my experience: Excellent tires and excellent
articulation will get you very far. Practice will take you farther
still, and a good line through/over an obstacle gets easier to spot
with experience.

I regularly ride "Black Diamond" (3 on a scale from 1 to 3 -- 3 being
toughest) trails here. I've not gotten stuck but have had to make a
second try on a couple of occasions. The limited-slip diff is nice to
have and it is my opinion, based on my experience and from observing
others, that a full lockers will offer an advantage ONLY at the margin
and in rare circumstances vs. limited-slip.

I prefer narrow tires and the lowest center of gravity possible (the
math seems natural to me). The only change I am considering is the
addition of an OX locker (engaged manually with a cable, not air or
electicity) to the front axle (which is open now), though I doubt I'll
ever use it. I'd invest in this order: tires (I have Mickey Thompson
Baja Claw radials and LOVE them), articulation, hi-lift jack, winch,
and then limited-slip differential(s).
--

Daniel Bibbens

"Scotty" <ssargent@onewest.net> writes:

> I drive a 1997 TJ, 4 banger, 5 speed, 2 1/2" lift, 31" tires, front
> swaybar disconnects, otherwise stock. I drive two-track roads for
>
> [..snipped..]
>
> These things are new to me, and I am the only Jeeper in my small
> town so I have no one to turn to for real life experiences. What
> are the advantages/disadvantages of each? Will I be satisfied with
> the limited slip as I try new and maybe tougher trails? A person I
>
> [..snipped..]

I have a setup similar to yours except that I have a Dana 44 with
limited-slip differential on the rear axle. My TJ is a 2004. I go
off-roading nearly every weekend in Southern California (where I
live). Here is the sum of my experience: Excellent tires and excellent
articulation will get you very far. Practice will take you farther
still, and a good line through/over an obstacle gets easier to spot
with experience.

I regularly ride "Black Diamond" (3 on a scale from 1 to 3 -- 3 being
toughest) trails here. I've not gotten stuck but have had to make a
second try on a couple of occasions. The limited-slip diff is nice to
have and it is my opinion, based on my experience and from observing
others, that a full lockers will offer an advantage ONLY at the margin
and in rare circumstances vs. limited-slip.

I prefer narrow tires and the lowest center of gravity possible (the
math seems natural to me). The only change I am considering is the
addition of an OX locker (engaged manually with a cable, not air or
electicity) to the front axle (which is open now), though I doubt I'll
ever use it. I'd invest in this order: tires (I have Mickey Thompson
Baja Claw radials and LOVE them), articulation, hi-lift jack, winch,
and then limited-slip differential(s).
--