Aussie vs Detroit E-Z "Lunchbox"...Experience? Opinions?

Hello All!

I hope the Summer has treated you all well and you have been able to go out and do some wheelin'!

I need traction on my CJ. At first I thought I would just replace the probably worn out Trac-Lok LSD in the rear....uh, until I cross referenced the code on my model 20 and found out I have been running open axles on both ends. (I have some great stories of winch usage R))

So, I ordered the parts, clutch kit, spider gears and differentail for my model 20 to convert to a LSD. I do not have a truck to pull my CJ5 to the field so I did not want lockers in the rear.

Now comes the front model 30 axle....I was looking around for a "lunchbox" style locker and went right to Detroit E-Z locker at about $320. Ouch. Looking at all the reviews for that product I noticed that many, many people are very unhappy with that unit. I looked at Aussie and got one for $239. The reviews on that unit coupled with a model 30 have been great it seems.

I do not run a lift. I have stock leaf springs, Rancho 5000 shocks, 31" BFG AT's. I was hoping the Aussie would be invisible until I lock the hubs.

Any recent experience out there with either the E-Z or the Aussie "Lunchbox" style on the Dana 30? Most of the forums under the "search" button were a few years old.

Thanks All!

 

....SIDE NOTE.....

My AVATAR pic shows me trying to get through a mud puddle with open diffs, she kept wanting to take a left turn!! I had to winch out. My buddy offered to pull me out with his TJ, but there was NO FREAKING WAY I was going to let him get a picture of that! R)

 

I stay away from the Detroit ez locker. I've seen too many failures. I like my Lock rites. Been in for many, many years with no issues.
I have friends who run the Aussie's and they've had no issues with theirs.

 

I have an aussie in my D30 in my '80 been doing great so far had it in about 9 months now. Unfortunately i have been so tied up with the '55 i haven't really got a chance to really use it but i am going to warn you the steering gets really hard once you lock in the hubs. The install was simple enough good time to repack bearings.

 

I had a detroit ez that was cast wrong from hte factory. Got it all installed and couldnt move forward.

My brother on the other hand has been very happy with his Aussie.

 

I put an aussie in my TJ's d-30 two years or so ago. Since then have about 40,000 miles on it (front axle is always spinning on a TJ) with multiple trips to the mountains and some pretty rough usage at Tellico, NC and at Windrock, TN. Simply could not be happier. Very faint clicking, the occasional BANG that scares the crap out of my wife when off-road and unbelievable traction.

As soon as I get my ecj5 up and running I will buy aussies for the front and rear. Have not read any reviews as of yet but the Spartan (By Yukon ??) locker looks like a similar design.

 

I'm quite happy with the Aussie in the front of mine. Why don't you want a locker in the rear? I'm running a Detroit and don't have any problems. The only time you know the Detroit is there is sometimes on corners in town if you get on it. You just need to learn to drive a little different in town.

 

I have quite a few buddies that run the Aussie/Lockrite's front and rear and they seem to like them, alot of bang for the buck. A few have had to do some stuff to maintain the lockrights like springs and pins, but that comes with the territory after they get some years of wear and tear and is normal. It seems like the Aussie use to or still does have a better warranty tire size wise or something.