Originally Posted by Renegade

I used to be in agreement with this statement and have run a rear locker and open front in 2 of my Jeeps. I now have a selectable locker in front with an open rear and am having GREAT success. The front locker allows me to get one front tire against a rock or ledge and just climb up. With the assist of the BLD, I can usually use just a little momentum to get the rear up too. It's still a valid debate, but I'm leaning more toward the front locker being the better first upgrade for the JK, at least in the longer wheelbase Unlimited.

Originally Posted by gt3073b

I think you are confusing a couple things. A locker is an open (not limited slip) diff when the power is off, and a solid axle (both tires turn together) when the power is on.

A Limited Slip Diff is not a locker, and works off of plates or gears and is torque/friction operated. No wires or air or anything, so nothing to connect a switch to. It provides 2-3x more torque to the wheel that isn't spinning than the one that is. Unfortunately, if there is 0 traction at one wheel, 3*0=0 so you get nothing at either one.

Brake lock diff uses one brake to trick an open or limited slip diff into seeing torque at the wheel that is slipping (by not letting it spin) so that you get torque at the other wheel. With an open diff, the torque at the good wheel will be equal to the torque held back by the brake on the spinning wheel. The LSD will give 2-3x more torque than that to the good wheel.

Even if you did have both front and rear lockers, you wouldn't want them on a single switch. It is really nice to run the rear locked with the front unlocked when you don't have a straight shot up and over something. The front locker REALLY hurts your steering ability since the two tires are forced to turn the same speed but have to travel a different distance. The rear locker affects steering but to a lesser extent.

The front locker is nice to have, but the rear is far more useful. I don't see any reason why you couldn't run limited slip in the rear and a locker up front though.

Bryan.

Originally Posted by ThinkMud

I agree man, I have the Aussie in the front, and man! what a difference! I haven't slipped yet (well, I did get high-centered last week, but no locker could have helped that since all 4 of my wheels were spinning) but the front locker only just climbs like crazy! I love it.

Originally Posted by captsam54

So I keep my limited rear slip and add a ft. Aussie locker and be good to GO...!!!

Originally Posted by Renegade

Until the Dana 30 breaks...yes. I considered doing just that (Aussie in the 30), but since I was going to 37's I felt I would save money in the long run by getting the 44. If I can recover about $500 from selling or parting out my Dana 30, I know I will have made the right choice. Good luck.

Originally Posted by CarFanatic

question, I just got my 08. I ordered the rear locker in mine. The window sticker say heavy duty d44 with locker. IS this the same axle thats in the rubi? SO I could just buy the front rubi axle with locker in it?

Originally Posted by nycauburn

i am pretty sure the splines are different. the rubi has 32 and the non rubi is 27 or 30 or something, but not 32. someone correct me if i am wrong