A few upgrades!! :)

Today I finally received my new 1.25" spacers from Spidertrax! I am running a stock lift with 31 10.50 BFG AT's with a narrow track D30 front and AMC 20 rear. I wasn't sure about spacers, but reading much on this forum amongst others I decided to go ahead with it. I also decided on 1.25's rather than 1.50's or 2 inchers b/c I am fairly low to the ground compared to some of you guys (always thought she was dangerous enough), not really a hard-core wheeler (use it for hunting/fishing mainly) and was concerned that I would start rubbing against the fender flares if I went out too far. 1.25" is the max for that wheel well with my setup bringing the tire to the very edge.

On a test-drive.....WOW!!!! I could immediately feel a huge increase in stability. I have not wheeled her yet....will do next week. However, on simple street turns she now turns more like a roadster with hardly any tilt at all...even at faster speeds. Amazing what only 2.50“ can do. I can't wait to see how it reduces the "pucker" factor off-road!!

Other products I've installed lately that I like are Moser single piece axles for my AMC 20.....turns out my OEM axle shafts were bent and slowly getting worse... (can't imagine how that happened ) This improved the smoothness of highway driving tremendously. Off-road she feels about the same, however.

Finally, recently I upgraded my axles a bit by adding a Trac-Lok LSD diff, clutch/rebuild kit w/ bearings by Omix-Ada to the rear model 20. I think they are the only ones who still make it??? I noticed right away on dirt roads and what I used to consider mild off-roading I don't even need to lock the hubs anymore!

I also added an Aussie lunchbox style locker to the front Model 30. I haven't really had a chance to put it through a strong test, but I will very soon. I can tell you, with the hubs unlocked, if I didn't know any better I would think nothing is there at all.

I have a bull Elk tag for next week here in AZ!! I will write more when I return on how all this new equipment faired.

 

let us know how the front locker works off road.. I plan on putting one in my 30 in the future. How easy was the install?

 

Not too terribly bad. I did the entire rebuild kit at the same time...bearings, gaskets, etc....as long as I have it all apart, you know? Like anything...if you have the right tools.......It fits right inside the original differential, so there is no need to cut or adjust anything. I have attached a pic that was taken after the locker was set into place.....



I'll let you know how it works off-road after next week!

 

Front Locker Review....

WOW!!! First of all I have manual steering, so make sure you do some push-ups or curls prior to offroading if you have the same. The steering becomes much more difficult, but doable. I took the Jeep to previous areas where I had to winch out of the mud with my open diff, under the same wet, slick conditions and it had ZERO problems. I REALLY noticed a differendce when climbing! The Aussie locker did not make any noises, popping, etc.. There was a slight wine in 4WD, but that could be lots of things. The engine noise drowned it out. When I let off the throttle, I could feel the locker disengage and the steering became looser. Don't get me wrong, the vehicle will turn, just not as easily.

I would strongly recommend adding a front locker to your D30. It took an already capable Jeep and turned it into a VERY capable Jeep. Worth the money!!

Regarding the spacers.....

There was a huge difference on highway driving. The Jeep felt much more stable around mountain turns at high speeds. With my gearing setup, I won't really drive her much over 65mph. Any more than that and she gets super squirly. Offroad however, I did not notice much of a difference.

 

Sounds like some nice upgrades... Adding a front locker makes a huge difference. I have heard nothing but good things about the aussie.

 

JASON ,be carefull with that front locker it will alow you to put the jeep in some hairy spots if you don't push that clutch in to stop it ......remember to unlock the hubs now when you hit pavement ,,,,,,,,,,and keep a 9/16" socket in the jeep to check the hub bolts often.............words of wisdom ......................

 

Hello,
Elk???

 

Yeah, I kinda left that out of the review....

Full Moon -
Day 1 - heavy rain, mud, cold, saw 6 cows run by me in thick woods at full speed.

Day 2 - light rain, mud, cold, saw nothing.

Day 3 - light rain, mud, cold, finally let my guard down hiking back to the Jeep, rifle slung, GPS out...then about 50 yards in front of me is a HUGE bull looking right at me w/ 3 cows setting a pick for him. I drop to the ground in kneeling position and couldn't get a clear shot through the thick woods.....then he disappeared. mehh

Day 4 - partly cloudy, really cold, found a ravine heavily used by game...saw 1 cow.

Final Score: Elk - 1, Jason - 0

 

That's good advice!! I've already been upside-down hanging by the seatbelt once in this darned thing so I'll take it.

 

So what tools did you need for the install? I've got several upgrades to do on my jeep and I'm putting together all the tools I'm going to need for the installs... its always easier to hear from someone who's done the job first!

 

Let's see....

- A jack and stands
- Drainage container for diff fluid
- socket set w/ extensions
- breaker bar
- vice if you have one
- air ratchet if you have one
- torque wrench if you have one
- screw driver set
- pliers
- good strong hammer large and small
- brake cleaner
- pry bar
- shop cloths
- grease
- you may want to consider nitrile gloves
.....I think that was it.

Also, when taking apart the diff and removing the axles, you may want to get a master rebuild kit and replace your bearings, pins and/or anything else that might be worn now that you have it apart. On my jeep, my bearings were totally shot and was glad I replaced them.

Here are a couple of websites that might help as well...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ruklIjF7orA

http://www.naxja.org/forum/showthread.php?t=99710&highlight=aussie+locker+dana+30+install

http://www.4x4xplor.com/aussielocker.html

http://s213.photobucket.com/albums/cc238/YellowJK/Aussie Locker D30 Install/

 

well i should have all i need when i rebuild mine.... thanks for the links, i'll check those out later

 

I have the same luck hunting Elk also.