Eaton E-Locker Dana 30 & 35

[blnewt]

This blog on BLDs is a good read as well
https://blog.stellantisnorthamerica.com/2008/02/11/jeep-brake-traction-control-explained/

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[NyRey87]

This blog on BLDs is a good read as well
https://blog.stellantisnorthamerica.com/2008/02/11/jeep-brake-traction-control-explained/

Super helpful, thank you!

 

[grimmjeeper]

VERY helpful! I still can’t access my build sheet yet but was able to identify the rear axle as being the 44 which is awesome. Since I don’t have a switch to lock it I’m guessing it’s the LSD? Can anyone explain to me what the difference is between that and being able to lock it via switch? Thanks

An intro to various differential types here:

http://www.grimmjeeper.com/lockers.html

The Rubicon has selectable lockers. The LSD that comes in some Jeeps is a clutch type.

 

[GrayWolf.Overland]

I would suggest to wheel it for a while to really know your needs. I'm getting lockers on both axles on my Sahara. I thought I'll share my "why" if that helps in your decision process.

I have been overlanding on my jeep for 6 months and mostly go with my family and not part of any group. There were 2 occasions where the jeep got stuck

- one of our was a deep tank rut with boulders, the other was on a grasslands/desert climb up a hill.

The rocky rut, i had to gun it dangerously with ebreaks and momentum and felt like i was putting the vehicle at harms if it landed badly on the skids or diff. A front locker would have gotten us out crawling in 1st gear

The desert sand situation..i got in it while we were on 4hi, there was no grip on 2/4 tires. The LSD should have helped here theoretically but it didn't do squat. I had to pile up rocks while slamming on the accelerator to climb out at a 25° incline

As we were finding ourselves in more interesting situations in every trip i decided to invest in self recovery. I got a set of maxtrax extreme, my jeep is currently in the shop for a regear to 4.56 and ARB air lockers on both the m186 and m220 axles. Next month I am installing a steel bumper with a winch.

I know there's a ton of ppl will discourage you from locking the m186. But i am doing it anyways.. i can't start over again and love my jeep immensely, so i will roll the dice with the front axle..i plan to keep it to 35s max (skinny 11.5 wide) and wheel wisely. If it breaks then we'll see about it

Granted all of this additions will make the fender clearance very tight with my 33s on stock suspension. But that's a bridge I'll cross later with a modest 2" lift

 

[NyRey87]

An intro to various differential types here:

http://www.grimmjeeper.com/lockers.html

The Rubicon has selectable lockers. The LSD that comes in some Jeeps is a clutch type.

Thank you! The more I know the better off I’ll be so I appreciate it!

 

[NyRey87]

I would suggest to wheel it for a while to really know your needs. I'm getting lockers on both axles on my Sahara. I thought I'll share my "why" if that helps in your decision process.

I have been overlanding on my jeep for 6 months and mostly go with my family and not part of any group. There were 2 occasions where the jeep got stuck

- one of our was a deep tank rut with boulders, the other was on a grasslands/desert climb up a hill.

The rocky rut, i had to gun it dangerously with ebreaks and momentum and felt like i was putting the vehicle at harms if it landed badly on the skids or diff. A front locker would have gotten us out crawling in 1st gear

The desert sand situation..i got in it while we were on 4hi, there was no grip on 2/4 tires. The LSD should have helped here theoretically but it didn't do squat. I had to pile up rocks while slamming on the accelerator to climb out at a 25° incline

As we were finding ourselves in more interesting situations in every trip i decided to invest in self recovery. I got a set of maxtrax extreme, my jeep is currently in the shop for a regear to 4.56 and ARB air lockers on both the m186 and m220 axles. Next month I am installing a steel bumper with a winch.

I know there's a ton of ppl will discourage you from locking the m186. But i am doing it anyways.. i can't start over again and love my jeep immensely, so i will roll the dice with the front axle..i plan to keep it to 35s max (skinny 11.5 wide) and wheel wisely. If it breaks then we'll see about it

Granted all of this additions will make the fender clearance very tight with my 33s on stock suspension. But that's a bridge I'll cross later with a modest 2" lift

Thank you. Experience is a great teacher. I do need to get out and get a feel for my needs before I add too much more to it. But with that being said I definitely want to be as well prepared as I can before I get the fam out on some longer adventures.
I really appreciate your input on this!

 

[Megawatt]

I added a Eaton locker to my 2013 Sport rear axle in 2013. I never locked up the front axle and only did the rear. It was a good upgrade for me. Back then the Eaton was a single pin design. Todays design is a double or cross type for more strength. I added 35” tires and was still working great until 2020 when I sold it.

 

[blnewt]

I would honestly just take it out and go play. You’ll likely discover that you’ll be far more limited by your confidence and driving ability than you will by the Jeep’s capabilities. As you get more experience and confidence you can then decide where to go/upgrade next.

This really is solid advice^^^

I'd also add that finding a couple other Jeeps to go out and explore together is never a bad idea.
Going into the unknown without anyone else in case help is needed isn't a good idea, especially when you're trying to figure out what you and your Jeep can or can't do.

Luckily most all the popular Jeep trails are well documented on youtube and other sources like trailsoffroad. These sources will help you pick trails that would match your experience level and your Jeep upgrades. Just work your way up the difficulty scale and don't feel like you need to keep cranking up the challenges . You want to enjoy the Jeep experience, especially since you'll be w/ the family and not want the group terrified.

I think you'll have it figured out soon enough, just enjoy the ride!

 

[DavidArmen]

Rubicon axle swap

 

[NyRey87]

Rubicon axle swap

Man I wish, maybe down the road. But 4-5k for new axles plus the install is just not in the cards for the time being

 

[entropy]

Figure out if you have a dana44 on your rear axle, you can look up your vin number and see if you have the LSD. I agree with word, if you don't know the difference between LSD and lockers you probably dont need lockers.

As others have said you have BLD and that "might" be enough for you.

If you decide to add lockers in the future and you already have the d44 on the rear. I would suggest you re-visit "the lunchbox thing". I have a a torque locker on my dana30 up front and it has been really nice. It is only a $400 investment. So if I lose my front axle it isnt as bad.

 

[entropy]

I wrote a post somewhere about the JL LSD. I'll see if I can find it and post it here. The LSD sends up as much 75% available torque to the tire with most traction. Lockers can send 100% of available torque to the tire with traction, even if one tire has 0 traction (LSD cant do much here). But in very simple terms:
- Your LSD will do nothing when 1 wheel is on the air, but it will improve the performance of the BLD system in this scenario.
- Your LSD is going to provide you great traction when both tires are on the ground. Better than BLD.
- LSD improves the performance of BLD on every possible scenario.


It is a nice unit to have. Until the clutches fail. Mine is still going strong. I will install a selectable locker in the rear eventually.

 

[NyRey87]

I wrote a post somewhere about the JL LSD. I'll see if I can find it and post it here. But in very simple terms:
- Your LSD will do nothing when 1 wheel is on the air, but it will improve the performance of the BLD system in this scenario.
- Your LSD is going to provide you great traction when both tires are on the ground. Better than BLD.
- LSD improves the performance of BLD on every possible scenario.


It is a nice unit to have. Until the clutches fail. Mine is still going strong. I will install a selectable locker in the rear eventually.

The article Grimjeeper posted was loaded with great info, still have to reread it a couple times till I feel I’ve fully grasped it all.

I still would love have lockers ?

 

[entropy]

I still would love have lockers ?

but why? have you been in a situation where you are like "damn I can't get through this obstacle because of my lack of lockers"

You are gonna be hitting rocks before you truly need lockers and I see you don't have metal bumpers or rock sliders. That should be your first mod.

 

[micahpop]

We don't always settle on what we "need".

I don't need a Rubicon or lockers for the majority of the trails that I do.
But I "wanted" to have a Rubicon. And it's nice having selectable lockers for those times when you do need them.

OP might not need lockers but he clearly wants them.
Let the man fortify his Jeep.

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