One Confusing part of the Rubicon vs. Sahara question.

[limeade]

And Lockers never break? Clutch Packs can wear out (that well past the ownership for most who keep their rigs less than 8 years)however it is not a major maintenance expense anyway.

"The Terrain" what terrain, extreme rock climbing, for sure but the other 99% that is not an issue. It is laughable that Rubicon owners only talk in extremes, negating the other 99% of driving conditions.

It is a major expense as you'd need to install a whole new LSD carrier, bearings, and check/adjust the backlash on the ring gear.

Sure lockers break, in extreme traction situations and usually due to too much power. But you generally will break an axle shaft u-joint before a locker.

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[SecondTJ]

Wrangler’s OEM clutch based LSD has never been known for longevity or great performance.

Putting in a used take off OEM lsd would be a waste of money. Now an aftermarket gear-based LSD is a whole different story.

 

[SecondTJ]

Lockers are limited to 4WD-LOW only (unless re-programmed which is a warranty killer).

~ $60 for JScan will give you use of the lockers in 2H and 4H. No re-programming needed.

 

[Alamo1]

Wrangler’s OEM clutch based LSD has never been known for longevity or great performance.

Putting in a used take off OEM lsd would be a waste of money. Now an aftermarket gear-based LSD is a whole different story.

How much do those LSD usually run for? With install? Asking for a friend.

 

[mgroeger]

How much do those LSD usually run for? With install? Asking for a friend.

If I were to get an LSD I would go for the geared version as well. Ball park $600 for the LSD.

 

[SecondTJ]

How much do those LSD usually run for? With install? Asking for a friend.

Gear based LSD such as a Detroit TruTrac are in the $500-700 range. Maybe $250-500 in labor to install.

Problem is nobody makes one for the JL axles yet that I’m aware of

 

[Tdkrum5]

My LSD is on demand all the time, your lockers are limited to 4WD-low. When Lockers brake traction you are pretty much done for. Having the Front pulling locker and the rear intermitent LSD provides variables in leverage to help wiggle out.

Again 99% of Rubicon owners will use their lockers 1% of their miles (or less), When I am running 4-H with LSD be it dirt road, muddy trail, snow, ice, rain the Rubicon is limited to BLD unless in 4-low putting my setup in a much better traction position. Talking extremes is a waste of time when when it is such a rare if EVER event for most and a $1000 winch and bumper will get you out of those 1% situations when needed. This is speaking to the 99%.

My Self while I have front lockers I have used them once in more than 2000 miles of off road (Trails and service roads) and that was only to pull a rig out of the ditch.

What front locker did you put in? Did you keep the D30 front axle?

 

[jdegrave]

I personally bought the Rubicon over the Sahara for pure esthetics. I may do some mild trails at some point but mine is a daily driver and a mall crawler. There used to be a Moab edition which was essentially a Sahara dressed as a Rubicon which is a great compromise between the two trims. Can’t go wrong with with one,

 

[RoadiJeff]

^^^Same with us. Our Recon is my wife's dd and she has not let the tires touch dirt in 8 months of ownership.

 

[Alamo1]

Thank you and everyone for your comments and considerations. I am merely picking up data points. But most importantly, thank you for not making me look like an idiot when going back to the shop and ask for whatever modifications I decide to go with regards to LSDs.

 

[Headbarcode]

One major thing that always seems to get overlooked in these type of threads. Tires don't always leave the ground on "extreme rock crawling". It just as easily happens on even simple fire roads, and other light to medium rated trails that get used by far more than 1% of jeep owners.

Here's an example of losing ground contact on a simple, and very commonly found dirt mound. I can finally use this in a non joking manner.

 

[mgroeger]

One major thing that always seems to get overlooked in these type of threads. Tires don't always leave the ground on "extreme rock crawling". It just as easily happens on even simple fire roads, and other light to medium rated trails that get used by far more than 1% of jeep owners.

Here's an example of losing ground contact on a simple, and very commonly found dirt mound. I can finally use this in a non joking manner.

Yet another reason IFS sucks... a disconnected Jeep would not be lifting that tire.

 

[Alamo1]

Great point! Just called a local shop that said they could install an Advantek LSD in my JLUS for about 8 bills plus tax. That also includes the carrier kit.

 

[lightsout]

What front locker did you put in? Did you keep the D30 front axle?

Here is the front Locker does require changing the Carrier bearings, also depending on miles on exiting gears you may want to replace. I had my local 4WP do the install total cost was $1700 (and change). Also note Eaton Lockers have a long history of reliability. This is the retorfit for the D30

https://www.4wheelparts.com/p/eaton-dana-30-27-spline-3-73-up-e-locker-19818-020/_/R-BHXC-19818-020

 

[mgroeger]

Here is the front Locker does require changing the Carrier bearings, also depending on miles on exiting gears you may want to replace. I had my local 4WP do the install total cost was $1700 (and change). Also note Eaton Lockers have a long history of reliability. This is the retorfit for the D30

https://www.4wheelparts.com/p/eaton-dana-30-27-spline-3-73-up-e-locker-19818-020/_/R-BHXC-19818-020

You are the first person I've heard who had a good experience w/ 4WP. I've heard nothing but horror stories about having them do work.

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