JL Rubicon Locker Function

[splat]

Can anyone confirm whether the rear locker on the JL rubicon acts as an open differential or limited slip when not engaged? The TJ rubicon functioned as a limited slip differential in the rear when not engaged, and I was hoping they would return to this with the JL.

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[wanderer]

I believe it has the brake lock differential function which acts like an electronic limited slip. By sensing which wheel has more traction and sending power there I had my ruby in the snow about 4 I he’s with mud underneath and near the wear bar falken atr tires and it was hard to discern a notable difference between switching the locker off and using bld. I got out to walk the trail and did the crazy ice dance and almost ate it that’s is how poor the traction was.

 

[splat]

Thanks for the reply. I have BLD in my JK rubicon, but it is a laggy reactive system and slippage needs to occur before brakes are applied. It works great in a 4lo offroad scenario where one wheel loses traction or comes off the ground (I rarely need to use my lockers because it does work so well), but I don't find it very effective at all in a 4hi scenario where there are slippery conditions like going up a mountain pass transition between rain/ice, driving onroad/offroad in deeper snow, or even just starting off from a stoplight in icy conditions. One of the main gripes I had when the JK was introduced was the loss of the mechanical limited slip + locker combo that was offered in the TJ and was hoping other people complained enough for them to bring it back with the redesign, but I just want a confirmation.

 

[macintux]

I suspect I'll add it (more accurately, have someone add it) myself.

 

[alphalife9]

I really wish the rear diff was limited slip when not locked.... like the Dodge Power Wagon. I'm not a fan of BLD.

 

[splat]

I suspect I'll add it (more accurately, have someone add it) myself.

You are going to have to explain further. I would be surprised if its possible to add a limited slip clutch pack to a Rubicon locker....or did you mean that you would replace your rear locker with a limited slip differential?

 

[macintux]

You are going to have to explain further. I would be surprised if its possible to add a limited slip clutch pack to a Rubicon locker....or did you mean that you would replace your rear locker with a limited slip differential?

You should be able to have both LSD and a locker inside the differential. My LJ Rubicon has both, it's only when the JKs came out that Jeep dropped the LSD from Rubicons.

 

[DanW]

It actually works better than a limited slip. I can show you on my driveway right now. WIth a limited slip, you have to get more wheel spin to get it to send power. Wheel spin is the enemy, especially off road.

My vehicles with limited slip struggle MUCH more than my Jeep, even though they have much better winter tires. My JK's Mud Terrains are well worn, but it still climbs up the driveway MUCH better.

The most effective rear traction device I've used, at least on road, and it was pretty darned good off road, too, was the automatic "locking" rear diff on my 99 Silverado and my subsequent Tahoe and Suburban. That thing was really outstanding, especially on steep boat ramps that were wet and algae covered. My Ford with LS diff would barely make it up. My SIlverado would quickly go from a little wheelspin to locked up and it would just walk right up the boat ramp. I think that locker was made by Eaton, IIRC.

 

[intentsrig]

It actually works better than a limited slip. I can show you on my driveway right now. WIth a limited slip, you have to get more wheel spin to get it to send power. Wheel spin is the enemy, especially off road.

My vehicles with limited slip struggle MUCH more than my Jeep, even though they have much better winter tires. My JK's Mud Terrains are well worn, but it still climbs up the driveway MUCH better.

The most effective rear traction device I've used, at least on road, and it was pretty darned good off road, too, was the automatic "locking" rear diff on my 99 Silverado and my subsequent Tahoe and Suburban. That thing was really outstanding, especially on steep boat ramps that were wet and algae covered. My Ford with LS diff would barely make it up. My SIlverado would quickly go from a little wheelspin to locked up and it would just walk right up the boat ramp. I think that locker was made by Eaton, IIRC.

Super old post here but I called Dana and they said the locker was an Eaton.

I have been doing research trying to find out if a Rubicon m220 locker will work in the sports m220. All m220 are 32 spline. Same ring gear and shaft spline count..looks promising. Question is are the shafts equal length because JK rubicon’s rear 44 we’re not while JK sports were.

Still trying to find someone on the phone at Eaton who knows what they are talking about. Emailing didn’t help.

I also have the part number to what I think the locker is

 

[DanW]

Super old post here but I called Dana and they said the locker was an Eaton.

I have been doing research trying to find out if a Rubicon m220 locker will work in the sports m220. All m220 are 32 spline. Same ring gear and shaft spline count..looks promising. Question is are the shafts equal length because JK rubicon’s rear 44 we’re not while JK sports were.

Still trying to find someone on the phone at Eaton who knows what they are talking about. Emailing didn’t help.

I also have the part number to what I think the locker is

I think that old GM locker in my Chevy Silverado was an Eaton unit, too. I remember easily going up mossy, slippery boat ramps when other trucks were really struggling. That'd be great if it is the Eaton unit. I rember almost imperceptible slip before it engaged.

 

[The_Phew]

My folks had a ~25 year old diesel John Deere riding mower with a little foot button for variable rear differential lockup. If you started to slip, just modulate that button until you got moving again (or stomp it, whichever). It may have been brake-based, but the icon was a geared differential, so maybe not. But I actually like how that worked better than most brake-based traction control systems in modern autos (BLD, etc).

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