I have a question about getting lockers. I have a 2012 JKU Sport. I just bought 35 spline axle shafts to replace my 30 spline shafts for the rear and my plan was to put in a locker since I have to replace the carrier any way. I have the stock 3.21 gears and plan on re-gearing at some point. My plan is to buy a crate Dana 44 axle to replace the front Dana 30 with 4.56 and a locker, then re-gear the rear axle. But I have seen ARB locker that is advertised to fit any gear. Just curious if this is true since most lockers say either a ratio or high or lower. I am looking to find out if I can get a locker now that will fit my 3.21 gears and then fit my 4.56 (Or what ever gear ratio i decide) without buying a new locker. I don't really want to do much to my Dana 30 since my plan is to swap it out. Thanks for the help!

 

You would be paying labor twice if you went the route you described. That would run you $500-700 in most places for a gear job on one axle. If you don't need 4wd while you are in transition with the front axle simply remove the front driveshaft. It will run fine that way,

 

Right, I wouldn't re-gear the front, i would buy a crate axle that already has the gears i want so all i have to do is re-gear the rear. My question is while I wait, can I buy a locker that will fit my stock 3.21 gears and then fit my 4.56 gears when I finally decide to do it? Or will I have to buy a new locker?

 

Check with ARB but generally 3.73 down is a different part number.. IF you put locker in the rear with your 3.21 gears it is going to cost you in the range of 500-750 for the install. When you swap out gears to 4.56 it will cost you the gears + that $500-$750 again so you would be trowing away 500-750 to go that route. Thats why I said just go with 4.56 rear and remove the front driveshaft until you are ready to swap the front axle out.

 

Gotcha, I planned on installing the locker myself. I heard the locker install is not has hard has the gear install. I have not done a whole lot on it yet, but that was my plan.

 

Installing the locker is the same as a gear install. If you have never done a gear change before it is best to find someone with experience to help you or have a professional do it.
If you do an lunchbox locker you are not required to remove the carrier so that may be where you hear it not a gear change but an ARB is the new carrier and everything is removed and reset.