Adding front locker to Willys?

[dan_k]

Hey guys,

I posted this on another website but only got one response. Curious what people here have to say.

I'm considering ordering a '25 2-door stickshift. Not sure between the Rubicon and the Willys.

The only thing I really wish the Willys had was an option to add a front locker. Has anyone added one to theirs? How much did it end up costing you?

In all honesty, I *CAN* afford either. But it would be quite nice to save an extra ~$6k with the Willys. The Rubi wouldn't put me in the poor house per se but it's definitely overkill and a bit harder on me financially.

The amount and difficulty of the off-roading that I intend to do is probably well within the capability of the Willys (or even Sport S). I'm talking mostly fire roads, some trails with hard-pack and some with more sandy/muddy/rocky surfaces. No rock crawling and no situations where I risk flipping over a new car. Not likely ever going with tires bigger than the stock 33".

I'm thinking of something like an Ox Locker with a drive-away lock that I could get out and engage manually then disengage when I get un-stuck. Just for emergencies really.

Or am I unlikely to need this given that the Willys has the rear locker? What kind of situation would require the front locker? I'm thinking it would be one where only one front wheel has any traction.

Thanks!

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[chevymitchell]

Hey guys,

I posted this on another website but only got one response. Curious what people here have to say.

I'm considering ordering a '25 2-door stickshift. Not sure between the Rubicon and the Willys.

The only thing I really wish the Willys had was an option to add a front locker. Has anyone added one to theirs? How much did it end up costing you?

In all honesty, I *CAN* afford either. But it would be quite nice to save an extra ~$6k with the Willys. The Rubi wouldn't put me in the poor house per se but it's definitely overkill and a bit harder on me financially.

The amount and difficulty of the off-roading that I intend to do is probably well within the capability of the Willys (or even Sport S). I'm talking mostly fire roads, some trails with hard-pack and some with more sandy/muddy/rocky surfaces. No rock crawling and no situations where I risk flipping over a new car. Not likely ever going with tires bigger than the stock 33".

I'm thinking of something like an Ox Locker with a drive-away lock that I could get out and engage manually then disengage when I get un-stuck. Just for emergencies really.

Or am I unlikely to need this given that the Willys has the rear locker? What kind of situation would require the front locker? I'm thinking it would be one where only one front wheel has any traction.

Thanks!

To add a locker, you can expect to pay the re-gear rate for the front axle. Adding the locker wouldn't be much more than that.

If you added an air/electronic locker, then there will be costs for drilling a hole in the housing, routing wiring, air lines, etc... I would do that work for maybe $250-500 more depending on if you picked an electric or air locker.

If it's just a mechanical locker, then the re-gear rate is all you'd pay. Shouldn't be more than $500-700 for a single axle re-gear.

 

[agentdr8]

I think if your goal is Rubicon-ish levels of capabilities, at a lower base cost, you're probably better off speccing out a Sport or Sport S, and then add take-off Rubi axles to it. Not only does it reduce your annual vehicle registration (at least it does here in CA), but based on incentives, they could be had for under 30K OTD. You can add quite a lot of upgrades with the additional ~20-25K.

Of course, it won't help come trade-in/resale time, so maybe only go the Sporticon/Willyscon route if you plan on keeping it long term (or don't mind reverting everything to stock later).

 

[dan_k]

To add a locker, you can expect to pay the re-gear rate for the front axle. Adding the locker wouldn't be much more than that.

If you added an air/electronic locker, then there will be costs for drilling a hole in the housing, routing wiring, air lines, etc... I would do that work for maybe $250-500 more depending on if you picked an electric or air locker.

If it's just a mechanical locker, then the re-gear rate is all you'd pay. Shouldn't be more than $500-700 for a single axle re-gear.

Good to know! I wouldn't need air/electric, only manual. It can even be where I have to get under the car and turn a knob on the diff itself. Just curious, what locker would it be that costs $500-700? I was only able to find the Ox locker for over $1000.

I think if your goal is Rubicon-ish levels of capabilities, at a lower base cost, you're probably better off speccing out a Sport or Sport S, and then add take-off Rubi axles to it. Not only does it reduce your annual vehicle registration (at least it does here in CA), but based on incentives, they could be had for under 30K OTD. You can add quite a lot of upgrades with the additional ~20-25K.

Of course, it won't help come trade-in/resale time, so maybe only go the Sporticon/Willyscon route if you plan on keeping it long term (or don't mind reverting everything to stock later).

I do plan to keep it long term but I don't plan to modify it for a few years at least (until warranty expires). I don't really want to drive a Sport/S until then so in that case I'd probably go with the Willys. Though, changing both axles sounds like a lot more work than adding a locker to one of them.

 

[chevymitchell]

Good to know! I wouldn't need air/electric, only manual. It can even be where I have to get under the car and turn a knob on the diff itself. Just curious, what locker would it be that costs $500-700? I was only able to find the Ox locker for over $1000.



I do plan to keep it long term but I don't plan to modify it for a few years at least (until warranty expires). I don't really want to drive a Sport/S until then so in that case I'd probably go with the Willys. Though, changing both axles sounds like a lot more work than adding a locker to one of them.

I was referring to labor only.

$500-700 + Parts.

 

[TxJeepers]

Do the Rubicon. You get the front locker and if you plan on wheeling trails to utilize f/r lockers you will also in most cases want the 4:1 transfer case. Serious difference between 2.72:1 and 4:1. Electric sway disco is real nice too.

 

[dan_k]

I don't plan on very difficult trails. I had a bad experience where I pulled over a 4wd Ford Ranger on the side of the road which was covered in sand that was deeper than it appeared. When it came time to go, despite engaging the 4wd and having the left side entirely on asphalt, the truck wouldn't budge and I had to get someone to pull me out. Not even wheeling, just pulled over to check a map. That's why I'm worried about the need for lockers.

I do think you get a lot for the $6k extra for the Rubicon. Just not sure if I'll need it.

 

[kah.mun.rah]

Q: How many Rubicon owners here have ever had to use their front locker? Not, used it because you didn't trust your Jeep without it, but actually "had" to use it on a trail? My guess is slim to none since these things are very capable without it and any trail that is technical enough to require a front lock is a trail that most of us wouldn't drive a 2025, $50K+ vehicle on.

 

[Bandana]

The amount and difficulty of the off-roading that I intend to do is probably well within the capability of the Willys (or even Sport S). I'm talking mostly fire roads, some trails with hard-pack and some with more sandy/muddy/rocky surfaces. No rock crawling and no situations where I risk flipping over a new car. Not likely ever going with tires bigger than the stock 33".

Nothing that you described would ever require a front locker...

 

[Tr4ckD4ys]

All im reading is that a front locker is barely ever necessary for the 90% of us and is only needed in extreme situations. Which begs the question why to even add one to the Willy’s.

 

[JT1]

OP sounds like he could just buy a winch for self recovery..

 

[Ol’ Timey Manual SWB Guy]

This entire thread reminds me that this whole site would be improved immensely by some kind of rating system for the humans, similar to the rating system for trails.

The humans who say you “need” lockers (i.e., in Utah, where they live & wheel) might simply encounter different terrain than the humans who say you “don’t need” lockers on a dry New Hampshire fire road in July.

 

[embedded rock]

Did the same noodling before I bought my JLUWX one year ago this month. Decided I just didn't want to do the mods, and jumped to a trim level that works for myself.

I've taken my Willys wheeling in CO and UT, had a great time, and not once wished I had a front locker. Even with the 35in tires, there were a moments I would have liked 37in tires. Over the winter I added a winch and some skids underneath.

There are obstacles I don't have the experience for traversing, and if I had a Rubicon, I might be tempted. Can't do that stuff as I'm out solo--even in the previous bike riding adventures.

Sounds like you will be fine with a Willys.

 

[dan_k]

Thanks for all the replies!

All im reading is that a front locker is barely ever necessary for the 90% of us and is only needed in extreme situations. Which begs the question why to even add one to the Willy’s.

I won't necessarily, just trying to get a feel for how many Willys owners have done it and how much it costs. Sounds like it's a rare thing to do and mostly not needed (for those who buy a Willys).

OP sounds like he could just buy a winch for self recovery..

Assuming there's a tree or something like it, yes.

This entire thread reminds me that this whole site would be improved immensely by some kind of rating system for the humans, similar to the rating system for trails.

The humans who say you “need” lockers (i.e., in Utah, where they live & wheel) might simply encounter different terrain than the humans who say you “don’t need” lockers on a dry New Hampshire fire road in July.

Well I'm in western WA state. Mud is probably the most like thing I would run into.

Did the same noodling before I bought my JLUWX one year ago this month. Decided I just didn't want to do the mods, and jumped to a trim level that works for myself.

I've taken my Willys wheeling in CO and UT, had a great time, and not once wished I had a front locker. Even with the 35in tires, there were a moments I would have liked 37in tires. Over the winter I added a winch and some skids underneath.

There are obstacles I don't have the experience for traversing, and if I had a Rubicon, I might be tempted. Can't do that stuff as I'm out solo--even in the previous bike riding adventures.

Sounds like you will be fine with a Willys.

Good info, thanks!

 

[Sidewalk]

This obstacle, on a trail rated a 7, required a few feet worth of front locker use.

I used the locker before I ever got to this point. I wasn't even using my rear here

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