Your right, that is my opinion. I beleive the tendancy toward starting with the front is because people are worried about handling issues with a full-time in the rear, and don't want to ante up for a selectable. but again, that is my opinion.

As for locking the front being superior, I don't think so, especially with a full time. Handling would be affected, and you would have gotten the traction with a rear locker just as easily, with better turning radius. But to each his own, everyone should be aware when considering though, Aussie in the front=way larger turning radius, and increased likelihood of popping a u-joint, and/or snapping an axle shaft.

 

It's just the way it is, normally with an open front the torque is bled off to the wheel that slips. With a locked front, the U-joint's take the brunt of it. U-joint's have a tendancy to take out axleshafts when they fail. Not getting the front tires bound up, not throttling down in low range, not cranking the wheels to full lock and hammering on it will help preserve them alot.

As for turning radius, it's the same idea, it happens to some degree with a locker in the rear as well. When you turn a corner the inside wheel need's to turn less than the outside, just like the foot race tracks (you know how the guy on the outside get's a huge head start?). With a locker, they can't do that. They do ratchet to try to allow it, but if you are on the gas, they will stay locked. It give's the rig a tendancy to "plow" in a major fashion. Not a big deal offroad, and with an open or selectable rear, a non-issue on road as well. But you won't be able to make a corner you could before, you may need to drive your local trails differently. It depends on the terrain really.

With my prefered method, I have to deal with the plow all the time, on road and off, 2wd and 4wd. But like I said, I'm willing to deal with thing's most user's on this board wouldn't. It's all personal preference. If you do a aussie up front, you'll never notice it until you are in 4wd, and alot of people probably prefer that.

 

A locker in either end will make you a superhero offroad anyhow

 

I have a 2008 X model. I had an ARB air locker installed in the rear D44. 4 Wheel Parts installed it. It works awesome, one switch for the compressor and one for the locker. On the street it is just like an open diff. It was about
$1100 installed. The compressor is very small and is mounted in the engine compartment.

I had thought about putting one in the front also, but with the traction control, the front acts like its "locked" when needed.

I would highly recommend the ARB.

 

My YJ had an ARB in front and factory limited slip in the back. NEVER out-gunned by anybody who had lockers front and rear. Not sure I can explain why – perhaps having at least one driving wheel on the ground up front made it easier for the LSD to tighten up if a rear tire got loose. So if you already have an LSD in the back, I'd go for a selectable locker up front. The one thing you need to be aware of is the steering issues. On really tight high-traction whoops or rock crawling, you'll find that the Jeep will tend to pull straight ahead with the front locked, and the steering will fight against you. In other words, you'll find you might lose effective turn radius and will need to muscle the steering wheel a bit more. I have the same experience with my ’08 Rubi. I’m constantly selecting and de-selecting the front locker depending on how tight the trail obstacle is. Just another 2 cents.

 

Not always true. Your turning radius can be increased but that is with any locker, as for breaking axles and u joint, you have just as much chance open as you would locked.

 

My .02 on the Eaton E-Locker- I had one in my 98 TJ and was very happy with its performance. very easy to switch in and out of and performed well on the rocks. I would definitely consider buying one for the JK. I would also have to agree with igofishn...I have a LS in my Jk right now and I thought about just going with a front locker for the time being.

 

Has anyone been able to integrate an aftermarket e-locker to work with the switch with a X that came equipped with a factory rear locker? Reason for asking is I see that the switch looks just like the Rubicon in that it appears to be a "dual action" switch. I would like to get that factory finish look if possible.

 

Just to clarify the Aussie Locker vs turning radius, etc...

It allows the outside tire to go faster, while making the inside tire go the same speed as the drivetrain...IE: It allows you to steer around the turn better thana regular locker.

So, all of the conventional locker up front steering issues are mitigated by the Aussie, but, not eliminated...just like an LSD mitigates the effects of a locker, but still impacts steering in slippery conditions.

Remember - typically, your rear HAS traction already...so locking it adds a lot of protection against tire slip related bog downs....but, your FRONT typically is lightly loaded on a hill climb, etc...and is MORE likely to have a tire hang, or slip.

The PRIMARY function of the locker is to overcome the bog down an open diff suffers when a tire hangs or slips....and, since that's more likely to be the FRONT suffering...the FRONT benefits the most from being locked.

Hell, most hard core guys eventually end up with the front and rear locked anyway, or if they buy a Rubicon, etc.

So, its not like locking the front is bad...its good. Its just one more mod you do to your truck, like a lift, or mud tires, that make it so you drive it a bit differently to accommodate the higher center of gravity, the more squirrelly tread blocks, etc.

 

WHEN ARE YOU GOING TO GET THE LOCKER DONE???