Dana 30 Traction Devices

I collected enough parts to put a nt d30 together for my 66. I have to re gear it, so I was thinking of putting a limited slip in or a Detroit locker. I’d love to do selectable, but that is expensive. Advice?

 

It depends on what you want to do and how strong you want to build your arms.

 

I've had customers happy with ARB. Ron

 

While not in a CJ, I’ve had a few other Jeeps with mechanical lockers in the front. One was a real whiz-bang Detroit style. Another was a cheap lunchbox locker that just replaced the spider gears. I was extremely happy with both and when the transfer case wasn’t sending anything forward they were both nearly invisible. For something I drive daily, my combo of choice is a limited slip or selectable locker in the rear and a cheap mechanical up front.

 

I have a spartan lunchbox locker in mine and i have been happy with its performance plus i didnt have to reset the gears. If i ever change gear ratios i would go with a Detroit locker.

 

I'll be running drive flanges and I have hydraulic assist steering. I want the device in the front because of the tracks for winter time use. With the power lock in the rear, it tends to keep going straight rather than turning. When I had the tracks on my '49 with selectables, I had no issues with them unlocked and if I engaged the front, it really helped to steer it.

 

If you plan on keeping the Jeep/tracks for awhile, just bit the bullet and put an Ox or ARB in it. I don't think you will be sorry.

 

TruTrac. I have one in the 5.38 geared Dana 30 in my A1 and in the 3.73 geared 30 in my CJ-6. Imperceptible in operation until you need extra traction.

 

Sounds like this is for snowshoe?
So virtually no highway driving, lots of traction possible... also very little traction and ice possible.

I'd lean to a solid overrunning clutch style unit front.

 

i got a lunchbox in my D25, never suffered for traction, but never done anything crazy with it. i would definitely say go selectable, but i absolutely see why you wouldn't. ideally you would save up for a while for a selectable, but now is the time when it makes sense to do it.

we're good at spending other peoples money.

 

Yes, its for snowshoe. It might see trail use with tires as well, but not nearly as much at Ted sees.

Maybe I'll bite the bullet and go with an ox locker. I didn't want to spend that much though. The truetrac does fit my budget though.

Detroit Locker 912A585 Detroit Trutrac by Eaton Performance Limited Slip Differential for 27 Spline Dana 30 Axle with 3.73 and Numerically Higher Gear Ratio

 

It might be worth it to hit the local yards looking for a ‘91+ Volvo 940. They had (essentially) D30 rears, and about half of them had Eaton locking diffs. It was a clutch-style locker that disengaged over 25mph. They do work in the front D30s.

There should be a sticker on the axle tube by the tail pipe. 1031 denotes a Dana diff (open or LSD) and 1041x is the Locker. This sticker should also tell the ratio.

 

When I did my D 30 I found an ARB on Craigslist for $200. Maybe watch your local ads.

 

I wouldn't do a Detroit Locker in the front. Just the thought of driving on ice and not turning.
I do however like my ARB. The onboard air is nice too.

 

I have a powerlok. Setup tight, I don't notice it in 4wd but I have one finger power steering. Lunchbox in the back. If I had to do it again, I'd reverse it.

 

I have a detroit in the front and ARB in the rear. No steering problems or having to unlock to turn on the trails.

Scott above has a good point. The detroit in the snow bumps you around a bit in the snow as it locks in.

I would do it the same again.

 

I've ran Lunchbox lockers in the front of 3 XJs. My current XJ has the Powertrax No Slip in it. During snowpacalypse that we experienced this year down here I had no issues with steering in the snow/ice, and I was out and about a lot transporting friends places they needed to go.

 

I've ran 3 lunchboxes in the front of my XJs. I've also ran rear locked, front locked and locked on both ends and IMO the best budget setup around for a regularly street driven Jeep is to leave the rear open and lock the front end. Even on my XJ which has unithubs they're nearly invisible during 2wd street use.

That being said, if you have the pockets deep enough to go selectable I'd go that route. I've also thought about Detroit Tru Tracs on both ends but it would be expensive.

 

What Ryan is referring to is a G-Locker that can be found in Volvo rear D30 axles. I have one, but have never installed it in anything, yet. The unit senses the difference in spinning between left and right sides, and engages both together when a specified difference is sensed. It has a flyweight that locks out the automatic engagement over about 25 mph. In theory, it should work well in our Jeep front axle applications, but I've never installed mine.
As far as Volvo donors, the earlier (pre- G Locker) Volvo wagons often have a Powr Lok in their D30 rear axles. They usually have 3.73 gears, so are a Series 4 PowrLok for 3.73 - 5.38 gears in our Jeeps. I have a PowrLok in my D30 front, and love it. The D30 PowrLoks were sometimes found in early Bronco front axles, and C101 Jeepsters rear axles w/D30, but they are all pretty scarce.
-Donny

 

i believe 3.73 is actually right at the top of a series 3, no?