The point of automatic lockers is that they will never let a wheel turn slower than being driven, but will let a tire spin faster than being driven by driveshaft. So in a turn the outside tire should be able to turn faster, but I guess I am realizing the maybe since all of the torque is now on the inside wheel it probably tends to push you straight. Since I have never had a locker in the front, I take your advise. [/quote]
Christian,
Your ring and pinion gears are responsible for multiplying the torque supplied from the driveshafts to the wheels. And A full locker locks both axleshafts,passengerside and driverside; the torque from the driveshaft is basically split/distributed evenly to the passenger and driver side axleshafts when a full locker is engauged. When you lift a tire in the air four wheeling while a full locker is engauged, both passenger and driver side wheels turn at the same rate, thus real "four wheel drive" when lockers are installed in both the front and rear differentials.
Another problem with limited slip type traction devices, is that when you lift a tire on one side of the Jeep with a LSD installed in either differential, it is just like having an open/non-locked differential: almost all the torque from the driveshaft goes to the lifted tire, and therefore no traction to push/pull the jeep over the obstacle.
I wish you could have posted what you wanted to do with the TJ here on 4x4wire before you purchased, but that's the old should've, could've, would've scenario! Jeep offers TJ's with 2.5L and 4.0L engines, and also offers the 4.0L with D35 & 3.07 gears, or with D44 & 3.73 gears,& track lok LSD. The D35 axle is for Jeeps that Dad buys for his college bound daughter! The D44 axle is for frequent offroading with the TJ! Hey, when I bought my first Jeep (even my 2nd Jeep) I didn't have a clue about axles. My 98 sahara and 05 unlimited, both have D44 axles --- I learned the hard way.
Jeepete is giving you very sound advice . . . even though you only want to do moderate to moderately difficult trails with your TJ, a selectable locker in the front D30 and nothing for the D35 is the sound recommendation. Save your dollars to upgrade the rear axle. A free-floating, stouter rear axle will provide a lot towards getting the family home in the same rig they all began the trip in.
I would like to have someone technically explain why it is nearly impossible to steer sharp left or right while making a climb on a trail that is providing steady traction to the wheels in a rig that has a full locker engauged in the front axle: perhaps Sunder, Super Dawg, CSP, or other members that are more mechanically-inclined would explain this steering concern?
