Sponsored

Sahara automatic, front locker install options

Ron_H

Well-Known Member
First Name
Ron
Joined
May 3, 2018
Threads
12
Messages
209
Reaction score
145
Location
British Columbia
Vehicle(s)
2018 Wrangler JLU Sahara in Punk'n Metallic
Occupation
Retired and spending the kid's inheritance
I have a 2018 JLU Sahara and I would like to look at front locker options.

Though I would have preferred a Rubi, I had to keep the height down as my wife has trouble with the height getting in due to medical reasons. Even the Sahara is a challenger for her. We don’t do much in terms of off-roading but a good amount of soft-roading while exploring areas we visit in our motorhome travels.

I have a winch installed and carry a full set of recovery gear. I would like to consider adding a front axle locker solution to make it more reliable when we encounter slick or rough terrain but I am not finding a lot of information on locker options for an automatic Sahara.
* 8-Spd Auto 850RE Transmission)
* 2.72:1 Selec-Trac Full Time 4WD Sys
* Dana M186 Front Axle

This is an upgrade I will have installed by an experience 4x4 shop, not a DYI install.

Information on available options and pros and cons is greatly appreciated.
Sponsored

 

aldo98229

Well-Known Member
First Name
Aldo
Joined
Nov 16, 2019
Threads
86
Messages
11,019
Reaction score
27,683
Location
Bellingham, WA
Vehicle(s)
2023 Jeep Gladiator, 2018 Fiat 124 Spider
Occupation
Market Research
Vehicle Showcase
3
For some reason I haven’t seen many vendors develop aftermarket parts for these new axles. I’ve been waiting for Eaton to develop a Detroit TrueTrac for JL; I’m still waiting...

One key feature on your Sahara with Select-Trac that you omitted on your list above, is that it has a rear D44 with LSD. That alone is going to give a lot more traction on slick surfaces vs a regular open differential.

If you aren’t able to find a front locker, my suggestion is make sure you get some good tires. You will be amazed the stuff you can get through with a rear LSD and a good set of tires.

Good luck.
 

MtCamper

Well-Known Member
First Name
Ken
Joined
Mar 30, 2018
Threads
47
Messages
592
Reaction score
875
Location
NW Montana and Yuma Az
Vehicle(s)
2018 jlUR White Rubi, 2018 GMC 3500 Duramax,
Occupation
Retired Snowbird
Before you spend a lot of money on a front locker, I'd recommend a good compressor. I'd never aired down before until we go to Arizona. I was amazed to find out how much difference that made in loose stuff. You won't be rock crawling with low clearance. I really doubt you would ever need a front locker with LSD in the rear.
 
OP
OP
Ron_H

Ron_H

Well-Known Member
First Name
Ron
Joined
May 3, 2018
Threads
12
Messages
209
Reaction score
145
Location
British Columbia
Vehicle(s)
2018 Wrangler JLU Sahara in Punk'n Metallic
Occupation
Retired and spending the kid's inheritance
I am aware of the LSD on the rear but did not mention it as I felt it was not directly relevant but I do appreciate the feedback regardless.

I am also aware of the advantages of airing down and I am equipped with an Air Armor M240 12v compressor with a 50% duty cycle.

My prior off-road experience was years ago when I built and raced sand rails in the foothills of western Canada. I know and understand the basics but I am still unfamiliar with the capabilities of a Sahara and I would prefer being prepared, rather than learn the hard way.
 

Oldbear

Well-Known Member
First Name
Dwayne
Joined
Sep 1, 2020
Threads
14
Messages
461
Reaction score
530
Location
Bowling Green, Ky
Vehicle(s)
16 Ram 1500 Ecodiesel; 20 JL Sport S 2 door
I too would recommend a decent set of tires before fooling with the front dif. Odds are Very good that your Sahara as equipped will do anything you’ll want if you’ve got decent rubber under it.
 

Sponsored

OP
OP
Ron_H

Ron_H

Well-Known Member
First Name
Ron
Joined
May 3, 2018
Threads
12
Messages
209
Reaction score
145
Location
British Columbia
Vehicle(s)
2018 Wrangler JLU Sahara in Punk'n Metallic
Occupation
Retired and spending the kid's inheritance
I too would recommend a decent set of tires before fooling with the front dif. Odds are Very good that your Sahara as equipped will do anything you’ll want if you’ve got decent rubber under it.
And what would you consider to be "decent rubber". I expect I'll be changing out the OEM Bridgestone rubber before the end of summer.
 

aldo98229

Well-Known Member
First Name
Aldo
Joined
Nov 16, 2019
Threads
86
Messages
11,019
Reaction score
27,683
Location
Bellingham, WA
Vehicle(s)
2023 Jeep Gladiator, 2018 Fiat 124 Spider
Occupation
Market Research
Vehicle Showcase
3
And what would you consider to be "decent rubber". I expect I'll be changing out the OEM Bridgestone rubber before the end of summer.
I’ve had excellent experience with BFG KO2, General Grabber ATX and GY Duratrac. I hear Falken Wildpeak AT3W is in the same league.

You can go a little bigger than stock, too; that will aid traction even more.

This is my Sahara with Selec-Trac and 275/70R18 KO2s, before she got a lift.
Jeep Wrangler JL Sahara automatic, front locker install options 36E6F3FD-95B3-454D-BE14-61F36FA7D01D


Haven’t gotten stuck yet....
 

daveprice7

Well-Known Member
First Name
Dave
Joined
Aug 26, 2019
Threads
12
Messages
633
Reaction score
867
Location
Junction City, OR
Vehicle(s)
2019 Sport 2DR, 2020 Willys 2DR
Occupation
Nerd
i just helped install one of these lunchbox lockers on someone's jeep. drove it offroad today (and on road). could barely tell it was there, doing its thing. very affordable and not difficult to install.

https://www.torqmasters.com/products/fitment/2018-Jeep-JL Wrangler-any
Passive front lockers can make steering unpredictable on slippery roads, no? So, you're basically committing to keep it in 2hi on the road. That's probably too big of a sacrifice on a Jeep with selec-trac I'd think.

I was considering one of these for my sport, but I just couldn't bring myself to give up 4hi on snowy roads... If I lived in Florida or something, yeah, maybe.
 

Sponsored

OP
OP
Ron_H

Ron_H

Well-Known Member
First Name
Ron
Joined
May 3, 2018
Threads
12
Messages
209
Reaction score
145
Location
British Columbia
Vehicle(s)
2018 Wrangler JLU Sahara in Punk'n Metallic
Occupation
Retired and spending the kid's inheritance
i just helped install one of these lunchbox lockers on someone's jeep. drove it offroad today (and on road). could barely tell it was there, doing its thing. very affordable and not difficult to install.

https://www.torqmasters.com/products/fitment/2018-Jeep-JL Wrangler-any
Thanks for the suggestion but I don't think that product is a good fit for my vision/wants. I want something that I can enable or disable, not something that deploys automatically. Something like the old manual lockers that you engaged on the wheel hub or enabled with a switch, like in a Rubi, is more what I have in mind.
 
OP
OP
Ron_H

Ron_H

Well-Known Member
First Name
Ron
Joined
May 3, 2018
Threads
12
Messages
209
Reaction score
145
Location
British Columbia
Vehicle(s)
2018 Wrangler JLU Sahara in Punk'n Metallic
Occupation
Retired and spending the kid's inheritance
I have no experience with it, but this may be an option for you if you want something selectable:

https://ox-usa.com/home/716-dana-30.html
This sounds like an interesting product — one I had not previously been aware of. Its operation sounds like a good match to what I am looking for. I'll have to do some research on it and see what the installation cost would look like.

Thanks.
 

word302

Well-Known Member
Joined
Sep 13, 2017
Threads
11
Messages
5,146
Reaction score
5,718
Location
Oregon
Vehicle(s)
JLU
Thanks for the suggestion but I don't think that product is a good fit for my vision/wants. I want something that I can enable or disable, not something that deploys automatically. Something like the old manual lockers that you engaged on the wheel hub or enabled with a switch, like in a Rubi, is more what I have in mind.
Locking hubs are not the same thing as locking differentials.
 

Pig-Pen

Well-Known Member
First Name
Steve
Joined
May 29, 2018
Threads
80
Messages
3,875
Reaction score
5,976
Location
Eastvale, CA
Vehicle(s)
2018 JLU
Occupation
jabroni
Clubs
 
Passive front lockers can make steering unpredictable on slippery roads, no? So, you're basically committing to keep it in 2hi on the road. That's probably too big of a sacrifice on a Jeep with selec-trac I'd think.

I was considering one of these for my sport, but I just couldn't bring myself to give up 4hi on snowy roads... If I lived in Florida or something, yeah, maybe.
ive been doing plenty of reading in my research on this subject. the old aussie lockers had issues with steering. the revised "torq locker" does not really have this issue. i watched a video of a guy driving his jeep on snow covered road with one and he said it was no problem.

you can also wait till Eaton releases the Truetrac. they made them front and rear for the JK and ive read nothing but raving reviews about them. ill definitely grab one for my rear D44 when they do.
 

Pig-Pen

Well-Known Member
First Name
Steve
Joined
May 29, 2018
Threads
80
Messages
3,875
Reaction score
5,976
Location
Eastvale, CA
Vehicle(s)
2018 JLU
Occupation
jabroni
Clubs
 
Locking hubs are not the same thing as locking differentials.
i couldnt image having to jump out of the jeep every time you wanted to turn the lockers on and then hop out a minute later to turn it off and keep repeating through the trail lol.
Sponsored

 
 



Top