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Locker considerations

Discussion in 'Flat Fender Tech' started by willness, Jul 8, 2008.

  1. Jul 8, 2008
    willness

    willness flatty noob

    Charlotte,NC
    Joined:
    Jul 3, 2008
    Messages:
    25
    Dad is thinking about a locker for his '54 3B. Now, I'm quite familiar with axle strengths in newer jeeps, but I lack the knowledge of strength considerations of the 25/27 and the 10 spline 44. I've always preferred a front locker over a rear in a one locker setup to aide in climbing over ledges and such. How would this litte, closed knuckle beauty going to hold up on 31s with light-moderate wheeling?
     
    willness, Jul 8, 2008
    #1
  2. Jul 8, 2008
    Andy4802

    Andy4802 Canadian Jeep junkie

    Hudson, Qc, Canada
    Joined:
    Jul 30, 2006
    Messages:
    410
    should hold up fine with 31's and the type of wheeling you are describing, although you can break these axles with a stock setup... just depends on the way you drive. I say go for it.
     
    Andy4802, Jul 8, 2008
    #2
  3. Jul 8, 2008
    w3srl

    w3srl All-around swell dude Staff Member

    Port Orange, FL
    Joined:
    Nov 6, 2002
    Messages:
    4,275
    X2. :iagree:

    If you can only have one locker, I've always been partial to having one in the rear because thats where all your weight is when you are climbing. Not that a front locker isn't helpful; it is, but not to the degree that the rear one will be.

    The downsides of a rear locker is that it will be a bit squirrely on wet/snowy pavement unless you are running in 4WD and it will also tend to 'drag' one rear tire a tiny bit in tight turns on hard pavement.

    All a matter of personal preference, your mileage may vary. :)
     
    w3srl, Jul 8, 2008
    #3
  4. Jul 8, 2008
    jeeper50

    jeeper50 jeeps 'till I die

    Spanish Fort. AL
    Joined:
    Dec 20, 2007
    Messages:
    844
    I've ran lockrights in both the 25/44 10 splines, with 31s. Wheeled the heck outta it and only broke one bendix joint in the last 5 yrs. I would keep my eye out for the stronger carden cross type axles out of 27. Haven't had a problem since that mod. Stock f head engine. It'll make your dad's 3B the envi of many a TJ owner.:hurrican:
     
    jeeper50, Jul 8, 2008
    #4
  5. Jul 8, 2008
    DanStew

    DanStew Preowned Merkin salesman Staff Member

    Lexington, South...
    Joined:
    Sep 22, 2002
    Messages:
    4,586
    You would be surprised on how much of a beating a stock front axle can take. With stock engine and such it takes quite a beating. I know i ahve gotten on my front end by hopping the jeeps front end trying to get up a hump and i swear it would have popped.
     
    DanStew, Jul 8, 2008
    #5
  6. Jul 8, 2008
    sammy

    sammy Coca-Cola?

    Albuquerque, NM
    Joined:
    Jul 1, 2007
    Messages:
    1,577
    x2 on what all these guys have said. I plan on a lockright for my rear axle, either with or before FF.
    With the rear also, you can go around in 2WD and go over stuff with the rear locker that you may have had to shift to 4wd for.
     
    sammy, Jul 8, 2008
    #6
  7. Jul 8, 2008
    EricM

    EricM Active Member

    Southern California
    Joined:
    Dec 19, 2007
    Messages:
    1,019
    I've got a lock rite in the rear end of my stock drivetrain '48 CJ2a, it works great.
     
    EricM, Jul 8, 2008
    #7
  8. Jul 9, 2008
    willness

    willness flatty noob

    Charlotte,NC
    Joined:
    Jul 3, 2008
    Messages:
    25
    Ok, so the consensus is either axle will take a little rough use with 31s and a stock drivetrain. I'll throw the options of rear or front at Dad with examples of how each would benefit. I figure I'll end up picking which axle in the long run, though.
     
    willness, Jul 9, 2008
    #8
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