I am new to the forum and would like to say hi,
Any one ever try one of these things? (EZ Locker)

Just wondering if anyone has ever used it in a front dana 30? I have heard that the locker is not the issue it's the case that you remove the spider gears from, the case doesn't handle the stress of positracktion. Any one exp such an adventure? I have the 35 in the back with a truetrack with heavy duty axles for Michigan weather it is adequate but for slick roads I'm thinking of putting one in the front but it's a little on the expensive side so I'm thinking of an easy locker.

2000 tj sahara with 3.5" BDS with 33's

I don't know where you got your information from, but the Dana 30 axle will handle a locker or LSD fine, as long as you're not trying to run 44" tires on it. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> Everyone I know who uses their Jeep off-road a lot has some kind of traction-aiding differential in their Dana 30.

I've had a LockRight locker, with 4.56 gears, in my Dana 30 for 13 years. First 5 or 6 years, I ran 32" tires, and the last few years I've run 35" tires. Absolutely no problems with the locker.

The only problem with a locker or LSD in the front occurs if you're planning on using 4WD on light (less than 2 inches) snow on the pavement. Engaging the front axle with a locker or LSD in such conditions can get squirrely.

My CJ7 is used 95% off-road. In conditions like above, I just use 2WD. If we get deep snow (over 6 inches), then I'll engage 4WD, 'cause that's just like driving off-road -- slow and cautious.

The best option, of course, is to have a selectable locker in the front, like an ARB locker or an Ox-Locker. Than way you can use 4WD unlocked in light snow, and save the locker engagement for really deep snow or off-road use.

Ok toolguy.. The slick road problem you prolly are having is made worse with the type locker you have in the rear right now.
The "TRUTRAC" locker is a lunchbox type locker. It has no clutches and drives both wheels the same speed except when one wheel ROLLS faster than the driven wheel, as in a turn the outside wheel turns faster than the inside or driven wheel. The trutrac is more expensive and has more parts than most other lunchboxes but does the same thing all of them do.
Your slick road problem will be made far worse if you place one of them in the front. A front locker should NEVER be used on slick roads..PERIOD!!
You will be far better off on those slick roads with a clutch type locker in the rear. These are known as "positraction" lockers. The second wheel does not have power to it until the first wheel spins around a few times.
Clutch type lockers are ideal for slick streets.
LOCKING type lockers are horrible as you are finding out..
IN THE FRONT a EZ locker or any other brand of lunchbox locker will make driving on those streets a very dangerous thing to do. I would hate to be on the same street as you if you put one in the front.
My advice for the problem you say you have is to take the TRUTRAC out of the rear and put a posi in there...you will have lots better traction on the street. Then for the front, if you still think you want one up there, put an expensive selectable one in there..
You may also wish to look at your tires as they can add a lot of street traction also.
Remember we are talking about the street here! Off raod your trutrac can do just fine.. But ONLY a selectable locker should EVER be on the front!
Big JIm <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/pfft.gif" alt="" />

My question was "Will the case that accomadates the spider gears crack at the axle retaining pin hole. I am aware that the case will handle a bolt in locker When I considered an EZ locker insert for the back carrier the guys at Drive train specialist (Warren Michigan)said Ez lockers had been known to cause such an issue. So I went with a trutrack carrier instead of an ez lock that mounts in a factory carrier.

Thanks Jim,
It tracks well in 1 foot of snow but 2 inches it's pretty squirley, I've got BFG AT's on it at the moment. I appreciate the insight and the education. The truetrac went in when I snapped the 35 axle spline and rolled the spline through the spider gears, About three years ago. Needed the Jeep asap and bought what DTS sugested. Didn't have time to do any real research.

Ok then I'll answer THAT question. The detroit ez locker is another lunchbox locker! It has a few more moving parts than the other well known lunchboxes. BUT it acts the same and none have proven to cause problems to the factory parts of the axle. For my own use I would prefer the POWERTRAX which I have had some experience with.
All that said I wouldn't ever use a front locker on the street unless I had wheel disconnecting lockouts! Then when using the front locker on the street I'd always unlock one wheel..
I would not ever be afraid of a lunchbox causing harm to my axle.
Big Jim <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/pfft.gif" alt="" />

r u sure you didnt hear that the d35 wont last long with a locker? cause with those 33's that rear end probably wont last long if your hard on it

So, we're back to the lockers.
I am trying my best to keep up. But this subject always moves very fast and I am literally left at the starting line, or in the dust, or somewhere.
Perhaps a forum devoted only to the subject of lockers (front, rear, selective, super)?

Here's something you should check out Wrangirl. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />

differentials

detroit truetrac is a limited slip differential; E-Z locker and Lock Right are "lunch-box lockers" and look very similar; PowerTrax, another lunch-box locker by Richmond appears to be an improvement over their Lock Right locker.

Wrangirl, luch-box lockers are designed to be installed by do-it-yourselfers (only, warranty voided by E-Z locker if not installed by professional), weaker in design than a Detroit, ARB or Ox full lockers.

Hopefully, you'll get out on the trail this weekend. One thing you'll likely experience is that in the front or rear axle, if one wheel losses traction, the slipping wheel will spin while the traction wheel will not; even if you have 4WD engaged. To obtain truly 4WD, four wheeler's install full lockers, either automatic (always engaged, generally speaking) or selectable lockers (driver can select locker to be engaged or not). A locker, very generally speaking, causes the wheels in an axle to rotate at the same speed; eliminating wheel spin and most likely getting your rig over an obstacle or out of a possible stuck situation. Hopefully, this is helpful. Now, go four wheeling, and have fun!