Locker In Front Or Back?

69 CJ5 V6-almost stock. With factory limited slip in rear, would it make more sense to put a locker in front or change out the rear? Just wondering. WCP

 

Just for me, I do most driving while in 2-wheel drive, so I have the Powr-Lok in the rear. I think it helps in not having to put the jeep in 4-wheel drive as often too.

 

Manual steering?
I have a front power lock and with the hubs locked in its significantly harder to steer...it really wants to go straight ahead.

 

I think id just make sure the limited slip is in good condition and call it good. If you want something for the front look for a dana 27 limited slip for that aswell. I believe the scout dana 27 rear fits them if the ratio is near enough. Thats just what id do

 

That's what mine is.

 

I wouldn't put the money into a 27 and locker in the front only if its selectable.

 

Does anyone even make a selectable locker for the 27?

 

There seems to be confusion on my part of what I actually have. The Positraction I ordered when the thing was new in 1969 was whatever the JEEP dealer in Salinas, CA. ordered I guess. But now reading about Posi it seems like there are numerous names it is called. I have seen TrakLock and Power Lock and a few more I think. I know it worked well for me at the time the thing was my only set of wheels. Lots of sand and lots of fire roads and lots of hiway miles also.
Can anyone give me the correct name for the thing? Thanks. WestCoastPat
BTW-I know that the rear end is a tapered 44 with 4.88 ratio.

 

Factory equipment with the tapered 44 is a Dana PowerLock. The TracLock was supplied with the flanged axle.

 

A tag that says "Power Lock"? Only tags I have ever seen that give a clue say something like "Limited Slip" and/or use some special gear oil. I forget exactly what they say at the moment but, nothing that says exactly Trac-Loc or Power Lock. Maybe I'm missing or forgetting something.

 

If you get the Jeep PN from the axle tag (should be like 9xxxxx) someone with an early parts book can look it up. AFAIK there is no external way to tell which LSD is in the axle, other than to infer it from the axle type, or decode the tag number. There will be a lubricant tag on a LSD. AFAIK Jeep did not say anything on the option list other than "limited slip differential." The fool-proof way is to open the cover and look - they are obviously different in appearance.

 

1971 flanged 44 with Trac Loc

 

That's the one. It's the only info given on any axle tag I've ever seen. As Tim states, no identification of which LSD it is. I believe it can be assumed, with a few modified units withstanding, that tapered axles got the Power Lock and flanged axles got the Trac-Loc, also as Tim explains.

There is the possibility of a Power Lock in a flanged axle but, they are built from parts by owners, etc. Not available from the factory, AFAIK, with there possible exception of units offered in other manufacture's front Dana 44s but, I'm not totally sure about that.

Someone here, I'm sure can clear up the water I just made muddy.

But, back to the OP, again, I don't believe there are selectable lockers available for the 27. Only the Power Lock. If want anything else, you would likely have to upgrade to a Dana 30 which has much greater parts availability, both OEM and aftermarket.

 

Spelled > Powr-Lok / Trac-Loc

Jeep Dana 44 rear with tapered axle shafts used optional Powr-Lok limited slip only. (1956-1970)
Jeep Dana 44 rear with flanged type axle shafts used optional Trac- Loc limited slip only. (1970-1975)
Differential tags: "use limited slip diff lube only"
No other rear traction devices from Jeep.
If you know what your looking at you can tell after removing the cover fill plug what differential is installed.
Standard open differential / Powr Lok or Trac Loc.
Powr Loc in a Jeep flanged rear axle is superior but its not factory.

 

Thanks guys. It looks like I will be able to bring my JEEP home soon. Way too many ideas of what needs to be done, but that is part of the fun.

 

Just my $.02 but replacing my Trac Lock with a Detroit was one of the best ever upgrades. I can't comment on a Power Loc in the rear.
I did have a power loc in my 27 but replaced it with a lock rite. I was happy with the lock rite but upgraded to a D30 w/ARB this winter. The selectable locker is pretty amazing.