Dana 44 lock-right opinions?

[riles19]

I have a chance to buy a new lock-right for my rear dana 44 at a good price, but I'm a little leary if it will be worth it for me.  My JKU is my daily driver, and only has 3.21s and running 33" mtz.  I do wheel my jeep, but being my only daily driver, I need to think about that first and foremost.  Does anyone run, or has run,  a lock-right in just the rear of their 44?  Any major issues?  Pros vs. Cons?  If you could get one for almost 1/2 price would you do it again?  Any info would be greatly appreciated.

[badwithcomputer]

Daily driver. no. doesn't matter if it's in a D44, D35 F8.8 they are annoying sons of bitches to run in the rear. Some people can tolerate it, some people can't. I couldn't stand it, it puts tons of stress on the arms, bushings and mounts, it's a pain in the ass to take sharp corners in parking lots, it's jerky and over all unpleasant. If you can get it for free, then get it and sell it. As far as I'm concerned you may as well weld the rear because how often can you "coast" around a corner to keep the torque from locking the rear end? basically never.

You can pull wicked wheelies, awesome at doing donuts and awesome offroad. Just remember whenever torque is applied (aka gas pedal being pressed), it's locked. The write ups don't word it like that. The locker doesn't detect wheel spin, I think I remember reading that and laughed.

[Inchbomb]

I have a Detroit in the back of my XJ, it's a similar principle, outer wheel can travel faster to negotiate turns and locks when throttle applied.

I barely notice it in mine. If you're stomping on the gas going around a corner, it locks. But as long as you don't mat the pedal until you're straight, it turns just fine. I went and drove in circles when I first got it to see when it would lock and how it would feel. You can apply light to moderate throttle around a corner and it won't lock, put the nuts to it and you feel it lock and start chirping the rear tires.

I'm sure there's a little more to the Detroit than a Lock-right, as reflected in the price, but I would put a Detroit in any vehicle if I could after owning one. The road manners are great and you just point and shoot off road. I really have no complaints. I haven't even heard the "clicking" sound going around corners.

I would suggest you take a buddy's lock-right equipped Jeep for a drive and judge for yourself. Everyone is going to have different opinions on it based on their driving style and you're the best judge of whether it's right for you or not.

[The Garagemahal]

Caw caw

If you don't use it , I'll take it !

[Enos]

I had one in the back of my XJ with the 8.25, took a little getting used to. As was said, coming out of corners you have to be easy on the gas. Its all about easy application of the skinny pedal, too much and it will kick you sideways and a big bang and jerk when it unloads.

[littlemulticoloredwagoneer]

I would say with the wheel base you have with your JKU most likely will never know it's there except it tight parking lot maneuvers. Make sure it is setup to spec and enjoy really great bang for the buck.

[justajeep]

I hardly notice the lockrite in the back of my ZJ on the road. With the 242 tcase awd option, the one in the front doesn't cause any problems either.

[Creepy]

Short wheel-base TJ and a clicky setup = hell on the road.
Tractor-trailer length JKU and a good setup - you'll probably love it.

The wheelbase makes a BIG difference. I'd say go for it. You can always take it out again. No ring-gear set-up, just a bit of wrenching.

[riles19]

thanks for the input everyone

[4X4PLAY]

I'm seriously confused, LOL, reading what Brandon said I was wondering if he was talking about the same thing. I have a Lockright in my d44 and I have never even noticed it being there and I have been through more Tim hortons drive thru's than anyone and they are all tight paved parking lots, other that a light clicking noise it is unnoticed. My Jeep is no longer my daily driver but it was for the first few years that I had the Lockrights installed.
Is it possible that Brandon had a bad lockright that was acting like a spool?? Seriously, if you drive my Jeep you would not believe there is a locker of any sort.
We actually ran one in the back of my wife's Jeep for six months and again it was unnoticed.


Jeff

[justajeep]

Pay no attention to Brandon, he doesn't even own a Jeep!

[skinypedalmasher]

Feb 25, 2014 13:08:50 GMT -4 justajeep said:

Pay no attention to Brandon, he doesn't even own a Jeep!

BUUUUUUZZZZINGA...HAHAHAHAHA

[riles19]

Another question to put out there, I figure if I'm going to put in a locker, may as well change my stock 3.21 gears. What would be a good ratio for a daily driver on 33's? 3.73? would 4.10 be too high?

[Creepy]

Feb 26, 2014 8:19:35 GMT -4 riles19 said:

Another question to put out there, I figure if I'm going to put in a locker, may as well change my stock 3.21 gears. What would be a good ratio for a daily driver on 33's? 3.73? would 4.10 be too high?

BBBZZZT! Wrong! The lockrites install IN the carrier, no ring gear setup. This is probably why they were invented. More Expensive Detroits and ARB's,etc, are a whole carrier and require ring gear setup. Look at google pictures,see the difference.

Feb 24, 2014 17:36:54 GMT -4 Creepy said:

No ring-gear set-up, just a bit of wrenching.

Please read the answers instead of asking them over and over again.

[Creepy]

Feb 25, 2014 9:27:39 GMT -4 4X4PLAY said:

I'm seriously confused, LOL, reading what Brandon said I was wondering if he was talking about the same thing. I have a Lockright in my d44 and I have never even noticed it being there and I have been through more Tim hortons drive thru's than anyone and they are all tight paved parking lots, other that a light clicking noise it is unnoticed. My Jeep is no longer my daily driver but it was for the first few years that I had the Lockrights installed.
Is it possible that Brandon had a bad lockright that was acting like a spool?? Seriously, if you drive my Jeep you would not believe there is a locker of any sort.
We actually ran one in the back of my wife's Jeep for six months and again it was unnoticed.


Jeff

I'd agree with that statement. My current one is perfect, unnoticeable, nary a click. Had another one in my old black ZJ that got broke a few times, it was clicky and annoying, randomly locking, etc. I think its the one in Darren's black TJ he's having trouble with, got passed around/sold as a used unit.