Would a locker add stress to the axle housing, shafts, gears etc vs and open diff?

Thanks

Not a simple yes or no answer, because once installed it will depend upon how much the locker is used. When not engaged it adds no stress, when it is engaged it increases stress on gears, shafts & housing, often significantly depending upon the situation. An automatic ;ocker like a Detroit is going to be harder on things than a selectable locker like an ARB, simply because the Detroit is essentially always engaged. It's a sound idea to upgrade axle shaft strength (material & spline count) and use a good quality gear set when upgrading to a locker.

So if I added an Aussie locker, my diff/axle shafts would be more prone to breaking than a stock open diff setup?

Not necessarily. But the answer is far longer than I care to type. You've got to remember that you'll be transmitting power to both tires instead of one....so you'll essentially have double the traction. All else being equal (same throttle input), double the traction = more stress on the housing, shafts, and gears. But with double the traction you likely won't need the same amount of throttle input to conquer the same obstacle so take that into account. From my experience, a poorly setup suspension that bounces under throttle (due to improper instant center placement), causing traction to be gained and lost, is harder on the axles than torque being transmitted through them. A fully locked Jeep with a proper suspension can traverse most obstacles with light throttle and, therefore, the vehicle will hold up for a very long time.

I'm pretty easy on the skinny pedal and have been running 37" MTR's on a stock Dana 30 for over 2 years.

I'm interested in an Aussie locker for the price and ease of install however I don't want to be blowing axle shafts because of it.

Thanks for the answer!

Long story short... yes . and it will usually be the short side on axle on the drivers side and most often at the U-Joint

It technically does not add more stress by installing it, but obstacles that once held you back enough where the Jeep simply would not climb due to the limited slip or open diff, will now be able to be driven because both tires are locked.... when one of those tires gets jammed up its still locked and usually transfers that torque to the axle shaft and UJ

I have an Aussie up front. I love it, and well worth the minimal cost. I bought a few stock axles as trail spared and a broken one is literally a fifteen minute trail fix

And I am very easy on the skinny pedal and try to make most of my climbs with proper line and slow crawling and I take pride in not spinning tires to climb an obstacle.

Have you broken many axles shafts so far?

The Jk dana 30 is junk. Better than the tj 30 but it is still garbage. First off, even the rubicon 44s bend with even moderate crawling use, especially with 37s. 37s are the tricky tire because they exceed the complete reliability of a 1/2 or even 3/4 ton axle. That being said even Dana 60s break and its really about the way you drive it. When you start hopping up and down on rocks, you'll probably break a shaft. In my opinion, 37s are a game changer, and not meant for even an open 30.

I'm similar to asmmns, except I've yet to get some trail spares. 37s, Aussie in my 30, don't jump/hump my jeep up stuff. I have enjoyed the extra traction from such a cheap locker, and I refused to put too much into that axle. Been worth it so far


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s'all about the driver and the line ... be ye not too proud to back-up & try a more optimal line? Don't wheel open diff D30 with 37s ...be ye wise and not proud + have spotters that know wtf they are doing and you can push the envelope and drive home smiling ... but beware you're playing a dangerous game ...tbh, the 30/44 axle is not bad at all until numbskullery gets behind it ...regardless of the tire size ...they just weren't made for these heavy wheels and tires we like to run ....every owner and rig is a totally different scenario and thank goodness for that !

No shafts themselves.... but two u joints which resulted in some damage.


It is unbelievable easy to pull out the axle and throw in the new spare. I vowed not to sink money into the thirty other than the Aussie, gussets and skids and would upgrade when it goes.

so i am now at the point where if i buy another spare set of shafts its probably putting me into the wasting money category, but honestly. it works so well and I have not had any other issues yet.

If you ran chromoly shafts, do you think something else, more expensive would break?

Yes, your ring and pinion. Several people with d30s keep the stock shafts so they act as a weak link and break before your gears break. Its a lot easier and cheaper to change shafts rather than gears.

Yes

exactly

Just a couple of random thoughts:

- A traction aid in the front has the potential to reduce wheelspin which would reduce the possibility of a parts snapping hop.

- Lunchbox lockers eliminate the weak spider gears.

I chose to do a TrueTrac and heat treated 5.13 gears. Other than C gussets, the rest of my D30 is stock. I run heavy-ish (E-rated) 315 tires on alloy wheels.

and then i see a thread like this and cant help my self..

https://www.jkowners.com/forum/showthread.php?t=270906

cheap insurance !!!

Haha! Yeah, that's a heckuva deal.

I don't know how many times I've thought about calling RWK to have him build me a new front axle. Thus far, though, I haven't broken mine so I can't bring myself to do it.

fwiw I'm enjoying my e locker on the d30 with full artec truss/gusset and Yukon auto full case in back d44 with 35s immensely, it was when open open on 33s I spun lots of wheels, spit rocks and broke a u joint......


knock on wood

I broke a stock u joint and shaft on my 30 with 33 iroks in the Florida mud with an Aussie locker... I was in rutts that couldn't be seen. I now have upgraded shafts. So with 37s and the addition of an Aussie I would recommend carrying trail spares with you. I'm going to be re gearing and going to a Detroit locker soon. Then will be 37 iroks.

Hi Folks, Cora from Aussie Locker here - Feel free to give me a call anytime if you have more questions - 585-723-14eighty nine

I would agree with Imped's comments, this has been our experience on the trails as well.