Power Loks

Great time to go through the axles and check all the bearings and brakes while you have them torn down. I vote yes. I can't think of a single downside.

 

I'd go front and rear.

My last cj5 had Power Locs front and rear, dana 27 & 44, but with power steering and an sm420. For a while I ran it with a Power Loc in the rear only and open front. I did lots of tough sierra trails that way, including the Rubicon. It performed pretty well. But the front power loc changed things. It then became a casual, crawling along, no wheel spin, low stress affair. I barely noticed the power loc in front in terms of steering and never had problems with the 27 axle. Lockers and truck 4 speeds transform a trail jeep.

The Power Loc is a true performance upgrade. My current jeep has one in the rear and although I plan to go selectable in the front, a power loc would be my next choice. The clutch packs can be tightened if you want. I have never done it but I believe they are easy to rebuild as well. The power loc is proven and one of the best options for these old jeeps.

 

A vote for F&R here too.

 

Do it Don.
You won't regret it.
And it will be more fun to watch in the Canyon of Death....

 

Mine has a front power lok and it makes a significant increase in the steering effort with the hubs locked in.

 

No question a front Pwr Lok will add to the steering effort..............with 5.38's in the back , you'll only need the front PL on steep uphill climbs or ledges.......

 

Got one in my FF d44 rear axle. Its awesome. If I had the money and the inclination, a Powerlock in the d30 front would be awesome. Only thing better in my mind is an Eaton E locker, Ox locker or ARB.

 

Don you've done the Rubi with open diffs?

Being a more is better type, if 1 power loc is good than two is better

 

Don,
My M38a1 that I had in the 70s had a powerlock in the rear Dana44 and tracklock in the front Dana25. Also had manual steering- with no issues (Although I might have been younger then). Mostly sand in Borrego, Devil’s dunes etc. Even ran the Borrego Rough 150 with that setup.
Dennis

 

My body is pretty soft and supple, it conforms well to pointy rocks... uh you meant the Jeep... sorry.

 

These aren't love handles, they're rocker cushions.

 

I vote yes to both ends. I have a powerlock in the rear factory D44. The clutches did wear out and i had to have it rebuilt. I have a Detroit True trac in the front and it does not have clutches to wear out and works very well. If i had it to do over again i might think about the Truetrac in the rear as well to not have clutches that wear. But they may not be available for the older D44's. Not sure..
Peter

 

Do it Don. Is it going to make that much of a difference in steering with your manual set up? I hardly noticed it with mine, but I do have power steering.

 

Total garbage and waste of time. I'll pm my address and pay shipping. I have a hole out back trying to fill with power loks, t18's, sm465, Texas pattern D300,etc.

 

At the very least, start with 1 in the rear. It will change your world. And, once you've had a rear one for a while you'll want one for the front as well.
You will not be if disappointed; I daresay you'll wonder why you didn't do it sooner. They are a great unit for many reasons. 2 piece case design that makes it easy to replace (or modify ) the clutches, giving you the ability to make them more positive if you desire by arranging the clutch discs differently. You can also add extra bellevue discs to make them REALLY positive. I have had one in the front of my 75 for 26 yrs. now and have replaced the clutches once. When I did I added about 15 thousands of pinion shims to each clutch pack to tighten it up a little. It wouldn't hardly steer for the first year it was so tight but it finally broke in and now it steers just fine. You will notice some understeer in the front but its worth it for the increased traction it affords. You'll hardly notice the one in the rear on the street except for the occasional tire chirp when turning. You can still find used ones and clutches and other internals are still available. AFAIK they were the only unit the factory ever offered as an option. I buy every one I can find.

FWIW,
Mike

 

So thats where they have all been going!
I've had PowerLoks in the rear, and they make a noticable difference, as in seldom needing 4wd in many situations. I'm still looking for a PowerLok for a D30, 4series.
-Donny

 

Another guy that has the Powerlok in the rear D44. Love it!