Jeeps Canada - Jeep Forums

Jeeps Canada - Jeep Forums (https://www.jeepscanada.com/)

- Jeep Mailing List (https://www.jeepscanada.com/jeep-mailing-list-32/)

- - Traction (https://www.jeepscanada.com/jeep-mailing-list-32/traction-40854/)

Just personal opinion, but after one snow storm (28 inches <g>) I
yanked the positraction (limited slip, clutch type) off the front end
of the Scout I had just bought. As others point out, locking both
ends is good if you want to get far enough in to REALLY break
something but the front locker WILL cause you problems, especially in
the snow. Turning becomes a challenge as it wants to just plow
straight ahead and your first trip down a snow covered, high crowned
road will introduce you the the reason they call them "low side
finders". The part that got my attention was slowing down - even with
a 4-banger it gets interesting, to say the least. If you let off the
gas too much or too fast, you are going to get at least one wheel
slipping (plowing) at which point you then get 4 wheels sliding and
become a 4-pt hockey puck. It is counter-intuitive, but the only
recovery is to give it gas until the wheels start to roll - which is
hard to make yourself do.

Given the time you spend on the road vs off-road and the length of
your snow season you are probably better off with an open front end
and at most a limted slip (tracloc or such) in the rear. My
preference would be a manual locker in the rear so that I had full
control of when it locks but the rear axles in the D35 won't take it
for long. I've snapped axles even with the tracloc when working the
gas too hard and getting a sudden grab on just one side. Even with
just a limited slip in the rear and the 4-banger you will have to pay
close attention when accelerating or taking a slick hill. If not,
you'll find that it will quickly decide to go back down as it does a
rapid 180.

On Tue, 12 Sep 2006 22:01:51 UTC "Scotty" <ssargent@onewest.net>
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.
>

--
Will Honea

My TJ is a four banger manual as well. Don't waste your money on a
locker for a D35. Lockers are lousy on ice and snow. A locker in a
D35 will get you broken axles if you are into serious rock crawling. A
manual locker in the rear would be OK if you are just slopping around
in the mud.

You're better off with a good winch and a couple of straps if you are
going to stay with the D35. Tire choice matters, too. My 31's are
like large skates when the roads get icy.

J.

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.

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

> I am the only Jeeper in my small town
> so I have no one to turn to for real life experiences.

Awww, that's so sad...no one to wave to...:^(

Seahag