Why So Many Bad Reviews On Lunchbox Lockers

No, no, no, no, no! I welded the diffs in a jeep once and it was the worst thing ever! I have decided that I am never welding a diff again. Ruins the axle. You're better off buying a traction device, so if you get sick of it, its easy enough to pull out and go back to stock.

 

Lincoln lockers work. I personally won't do it, especially when mini-spools are dirt cheap for most common axles, if you just want a solid axle.

 

Anyone know if there a mini spool made for a D25? I tried searching but couldn’t find one.

 

No idea. the D25 isn't what I'd consider a "common" axle, certainly not anymore, same goes for the D27.

 

and the 19 spline 44

 

There are lunch box lockers available. Kaiser Willys carries them.

 

but that is all that is available, no more. (besides clutch operated limited slips that came on some)

 

Sounds like somebody's ready to give the Rubicon a try.....

 

locking hubs?

 

Mine has lasted 16 yrs so far in front and rear lockrights. stock powertrain. As for hard turning just remove the interlock pill in the front section of the Dana 18. between the shift rails.
Gives you 2LO. Low HP works like a dream

 

I've ran lunchboxes in the front of 3 XJs. Steering has never been an issue even when under power (locked). Maybe in something with manual steering it may be untenable.

 

I've had 3 of them.. one in my XJ and two in my CJ with never an issue other than the short wheel base handling quirks to be expected..

 

Spools and Lincoln lockers although cheap or free are usually anything but when you look at the peripheral parts they wear out or break. Zero differential action leads to massive bind situations in alot of parts exterior to the spool or welded diff itself. Axle shafts, hubs, tires, u joints, drive shafts, suspension bushings and mounts, springs, etc. The list goes on and on.

Common thought has always been put a locker in the rear first. Some of the very successful rock crawling/racing guys have been touting selectable rear (ARB/OX) and auto locker front (detroit/grizzly). I was a doubter at first until last summer when I wired my ARB's in the Flatty for independent operation. An auto locker up front and selectable rear works really really well. You can still turn just fine (with power steering) since the rear isn't pushing you, and most of the time you don't even need to lock the rear. It's wild.

 

I run "lunch box" lockers in the front and auto lockers in the rear (detroits). The main reason being is that I can build a really good rear axle on the cheap but building a really good front axle cost more money. So I rather brake a cheap locker/U joints vs spending money on a heavy expansive front diff.
On my TJ (Mangum 5.9L Swap NV4500 Transmission) I run a Ford 9" from a Torino car that is only 3/4" wider then stock so no custom axles with a 35 spline Detroit and a Nodular Iron center knowing that I will never brake the axle/diff with 35" and the type of wheeling we do. On the front to save money I run XJ HP D30. Its light, as strong as a low pinion D44 and parts are easy to find at any pull apart. spare axle shafts with unit bearings can be had for under $75. I keep the weak link at factory u joints and a lunch box locker. in the last 10 years or so i have had to replace one Lock Right in the D30 and realistically I could have gotten away with a pin parts kit. They are easy to work on and require no gear set re-set if it brakes.