Opinions on detroit in D 30

Daughter's 95 YJ has 9" in rear with detroit, she now wants a detroit in
the front, I read verying opinions on the YJs Dana 30 and putting in a
detroit locker, I understand if I put one in my CJ and unlock the hubs, no
locker problems, but what about the YJ with it's vacum, some one said the YJ
always has one axle engaged or something like that, and I also read that
something changed with the 95 YJs D 30, passenger side solid axle?
So what's everyones opinion, I'd prefer to here from YJ owners with
detroits in front, or just opinions on Dana 30 with detroit, I don't want to
here about axle swaps, or Currie/Dynatrac options. Thanks.

The driver's side axle on the YJ is always "engaged", but with the transfer
case in 2H there is no load on it. I don't know whether the axle can drive
the pinion in this situation, but even if it does it won't cause problems.
It will just cause the front drive shaft to turn. This isn't exactly what
you want for highway commuting, but if your daughter's YJ is mainly for
offroad (and why else would it have two lockers) then you should be fine.

That's my opinion, but you should probably talk to someone who has done
this, before trying it yourself.

Earle

"Greg" > wrote in message
news:MbtEe.21401$5V4.14387@pd7tw3no...
> Daughter's 95 YJ has 9" in rear with detroit, she now wants a detroit in
> the front, I read verying opinions on the YJs Dana 30 and putting in a
> detroit locker, I understand if I put one in my CJ and unlock the hubs, no
> locker problems, but what about the YJ with it's vacum, some one said the
YJ
> always has one axle engaged or something like that, and I also read that
> something changed with the 95 YJs D 30, passenger side solid axle?
> So what's everyones opinion, I'd prefer to here from YJ owners with
> detroits in front, or just opinions on Dana 30 with detroit, I don't want
to
> here about axle swaps, or Currie/Dynatrac options. Thanks.
>
>

I have the detroit EZLocker in my D30 (in a CJ5) and I leave the hubs locked
all of the time. I can't remember the last time the hubs were unlocked
because anytime I unlock them, I turn around in less than 20 miles and lick
them again anyway. I decided that unlocking the hubs was highly over rated.

When your YJ is in 2WD, the front will never know that a locker is
installed.





"Greg" > wrote in message
news:MbtEe.21401$5V4.14387@pd7tw3no...
> Daughter's 95 YJ has 9" in rear with detroit, she now wants a detroit in
> the front, I read verying opinions on the YJs Dana 30 and putting in a
> detroit locker, I understand if I put one in my CJ and unlock the hubs, no
> locker problems, but what about the YJ with it's vacum, some one said the
> YJ always has one axle engaged or something like that, and I also read
> that something changed with the 95 YJs D 30, passenger side solid axle?
> So what's everyones opinion, I'd prefer to here from YJ owners with
> detroits in front, or just opinions on Dana 30 with detroit, I don't want
> to here about axle swaps, or Currie/Dynatrac options. Thanks.
>

Thanks, mine's acually a CJ so I will be unlocking anyway so not worried
about it, but I was worried about daughter's YJ and no hubs to unlock.

"Jeff Strickland" > wrote in message
...
>I have the detroit EZLocker in my D30 (in a CJ5) and I leave the hubs
>locked all of the time. I can't remember the last time the hubs were
>unlocked because anytime I unlock them, I turn around in less than 20 miles
>and lick them again anyway. I decided that unlocking the hubs was highly
>over rated.
>
> When your YJ is in 2WD, the front will never know that a locker is
> installed.
>
>
>
>
>
> "Greg" > wrote in message
> news:MbtEe.21401$5V4.14387@pd7tw3no...
>> Daughter's 95 YJ has 9" in rear with detroit, she now wants a detroit in
>> the front, I read verying opinions on the YJs Dana 30 and putting in a
>> detroit locker, I understand if I put one in my CJ and unlock the hubs,
>> no locker problems, but what about the YJ with it's vacum, some one said
>> the YJ always has one axle engaged or something like that, and I also
>> read that something changed with the 95 YJs D 30, passenger side solid
>> axle?
>> So what's everyones opinion, I'd prefer to here from YJ owners with
>> detroits in front, or just opinions on Dana 30 with detroit, I don't want
>> to here about axle swaps, or Currie/Dynatrac options. Thanks.
>>
>

It won't be a problem. My brother has a YJ with a locker in the front, and
he has no problems at all.

I'm certain that you have used your CJ on at least one occasion with the
front hubs locked and the tcase set to 2HI. I drive my CJ like this all of
the time, I mean A-L-L of the time. The only "problem" is that it tends to
be noisy at parking lot speeds when I pull into a parking spot. Depressing
the clutch and rolling into the spot makes everything quiet ...





"Greg" > wrote in message
news:iGxEe.23000$s54.19254@pd7tw2no...
> Thanks, mine's acually a CJ so I will be unlocking anyway so not worried
> about it, but I was worried about daughter's YJ and no hubs to unlock.
>
> "Jeff Strickland" > wrote in message
> ...
>>I have the detroit EZLocker in my D30 (in a CJ5) and I leave the hubs
>>locked all of the time. I can't remember the last time the hubs were
>>unlocked because anytime I unlock them, I turn around in less than 20
>>miles and lick them again anyway. I decided that unlocking the hubs was
>>highly over rated.
>>
>> When your YJ is in 2WD, the front will never know that a locker is
>> installed.
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> "Greg" > wrote in message
>> news:MbtEe.21401$5V4.14387@pd7tw3no...
>>> Daughter's 95 YJ has 9" in rear with detroit, she now wants a detroit
>>> in the front, I read verying opinions on the YJs Dana 30 and putting in
>>> a detroit locker, I understand if I put one in my CJ and unlock the
>>> hubs, no locker problems, but what about the YJ with it's vacum, some
>>> one said the YJ always has one axle engaged or something like that, and
>>> I also read that something changed with the 95 YJs D 30, passenger side
>>> solid axle?
>>> So what's everyones opinion, I'd prefer to here from YJ owners with
>>> detroits in front, or just opinions on Dana 30 with detroit, I don't
>>> want to here about axle swaps, or Currie/Dynatrac options. Thanks.
>>>
>>
>
>

Ya I don't worry about unlocking hubs most times as mine is 99% for off
road it is just to the off road and back on weekends, I only unlock if I am
going to be driving around town.
A freind here has a lockright in the front of his YJ and has no problems
but I just thought I would ask anyway. At $409.00 for a D 30 detroit we
can't go wrong for what it will do, I remeber when I first got my rear
detroit it was like the difference between a 2 wheel drive and a 4 wheel
drive, maybe even more so. Anyway I wont worry about her, will order them
both on Monday.

"Jeff Strickland" > wrote in message
...
> It won't be a problem. My brother has a YJ with a locker in the front, and
> he has no problems at all.
>
> I'm certain that you have used your CJ on at least one occasion with the
> front hubs locked and the tcase set to 2HI. I drive my CJ like this all of
> the time, I mean A-L-L of the time. The only "problem" is that it tends to
> be noisy at parking lot speeds when I pull into a parking spot. Depressing
> the clutch and rolling into the spot makes everything quiet ...
>
>
>
>
>
> "Greg" > wrote in message
> news:iGxEe.23000$s54.19254@pd7tw2no...
>> Thanks, mine's acually a CJ so I will be unlocking anyway so not worried
>> about it, but I was worried about daughter's YJ and no hubs to unlock.
>>
>> "Jeff Strickland" > wrote in message
>> ...
>>>I have the detroit EZLocker in my D30 (in a CJ5) and I leave the hubs
>>>locked all of the time. I can't remember the last time the hubs were
>>>unlocked because anytime I unlock them, I turn around in less than 20
>>>miles and lick them again anyway. I decided that unlocking the hubs was
>>>highly over rated.
>>>
>>> When your YJ is in 2WD, the front will never know that a locker is
>>> installed.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> "Greg" > wrote in message
>>> news:MbtEe.21401$5V4.14387@pd7tw3no...
>>>> Daughter's 95 YJ has 9" in rear with detroit, she now wants a detroit
>>>> in the front, I read verying opinions on the YJs Dana 30 and putting in
>>>> a detroit locker, I understand if I put one in my CJ and unlock the
>>>> hubs, no locker problems, but what about the YJ with it's vacum, some
>>>> one said the YJ always has one axle engaged or something like that, and
>>>> I also read that something changed with the 95 YJs D 30, passenger side
>>>> solid axle?
>>>> So what's everyones opinion, I'd prefer to here from YJ owners with
>>>> detroits in front, or just opinions on Dana 30 with detroit, I don't
>>>> want to here about axle swaps, or Currie/Dynatrac options. Thanks.
>>>>
>>>
>>
>>
>

"Steve" > wrote in message
news ....
> A Detroit is stronger than a 'lunchbox' locker that fits inside the
> existing carrier, but note that ring & pinion need to be set up ($$$)
> when replacing the carrier and a 'master rebuild' kit to replace
> bearings and shims is recommended. Lunchbox lockers can be swapped in or
> out in a matter of minutes in the driveway.
>
If this operation is performed correctly, and the axle was set up correctly
in the first place, the pinion depth and pinion bearing preload will not
change. For this reason, it is possible to change the carrier without
disturbing the pinion settings. In my experience, once you get the carrier
bearing preload and gear lash set, you are good to go. Of course, a prudent
mechanic would check the gear contact pattern before driving off.

You do need shims, and you might want new carrier bearings, unless you have
the bearing puller to get the old ones off the old carrier, but the master
rebuild kit is not necessary.

Earle

I'm not sure why you would want a Full Detroit in the front axle, the front
does not carry the same loads as the rear, and the Detroit EZ Locker or the
PowerTrax Lockright should do the duty fine. The affect on the front axle is
the same in terms of the questions you asked earlier, but the cost is less
and the reliability is on par.




"Greg" > wrote in message
news:CJAEe.23007$5V4.8711@pd7tw3no...
> Ya I don't worry about unlocking hubs most times as mine is 99% for off
> road it is just to the off road and back on weekends, I only unlock if I
> am going to be driving around town.
> A freind here has a lockright in the front of his YJ and has no problems
> but I just thought I would ask anyway. At $409.00 for a D 30 detroit we
> can't go wrong for what it will do, I remeber when I first got my rear
> detroit it was like the difference between a 2 wheel drive and a 4 wheel
> drive, maybe even more so. Anyway I wont worry about her, will order them
> both on Monday.
>
> "Jeff Strickland" > wrote in message
> ...
>> It won't be a problem. My brother has a YJ with a locker in the front,
>> and he has no problems at all.
>>
>> I'm certain that you have used your CJ on at least one occasion with the
>> front hubs locked and the tcase set to 2HI. I drive my CJ like this all
>> of the time, I mean A-L-L of the time. The only "problem" is that it
>> tends to be noisy at parking lot speeds when I pull into a parking spot.
>> Depressing the clutch and rolling into the spot makes everything quiet
>> ...
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> "Greg" > wrote in message
>> news:iGxEe.23000$s54.19254@pd7tw2no...
>>> Thanks, mine's acually a CJ so I will be unlocking anyway so not
>>> worried about it, but I was worried about daughter's YJ and no hubs to
>>> unlock.
>>>
>>> "Jeff Strickland" > wrote in message
>>> ...
>>>>I have the detroit EZLocker in my D30 (in a CJ5) and I leave the hubs
>>>>locked all of the time. I can't remember the last time the hubs were
>>>>unlocked because anytime I unlock them, I turn around in less than 20
>>>>miles and lick them again anyway. I decided that unlocking the hubs was
>>>>highly over rated.
>>>>
>>>> When your YJ is in 2WD, the front will never know that a locker is
>>>> installed.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> "Greg" > wrote in message
>>>> news:MbtEe.21401$5V4.14387@pd7tw3no...
>>>>> Daughter's 95 YJ has 9" in rear with detroit, she now wants a detroit
>>>>> in the front, I read verying opinions on the YJs Dana 30 and putting
>>>>> in a detroit locker, I understand if I put one in my CJ and unlock the
>>>>> hubs, no locker problems, but what about the YJ with it's vacum, some
>>>>> one said the YJ always has one axle engaged or something like that,
>>>>> and I also read that something changed with the 95 YJs D 30, passenger
>>>>> side solid axle?
>>>>> So what's everyones opinion, I'd prefer to here from YJ owners with
>>>>> detroits in front, or just opinions on Dana 30 with detroit, I don't
>>>>> want to here about axle swaps, or Currie/Dynatrac options. Thanks.
>>>>>
>>>>
>>>
>>>
>>
>
>

From everything I read online the 95 YJ is the change year and has a one
piece axle and 297 Ujoints, her ujoints are deffinately bigger then in my 81
CJ7. As for set up and install kit, all gears are new and there is a guy up
the road that according to all in town is the gear install king, he charged
her $50.00 to put the detroit in the rear, of coarse that was her taking the
3rd member over to him, but I think he does them for about $100.00
Canadian.. We get one 6" snowfall a year so that isn't a consideration, as
for lockright she went through 3 of those in the rear end and finally went
to detroit. I've talked to her about a cable dissconnect on the front to get
rid of vacum.

"Steve" > wrote in message
news
> The YJ passenger side, 2 piece inner axle is disconnected when in 2WD.
> With an open diff, this means the driver side axle rotates only the spider
> gears, not the ring, pinion, and drive shaft. With an automatic locker,
> you will still have zero steering feedback in 2WD, but the driver side
> axle will now turn the front shaft causing a slight increase in noise and
> a slight decrease in fuel economy.
>
> Installing an automatic locker up front is not recommended if your
> daughter will rely on 4WD to navigate snow-covered roads. A gear based
> limited slip (Detroit Truetrac) or manual locker (ARB, Ox) is preferred.
>
> A Detroit is stronger than a 'lunchbox' locker that fits inside the
> existing carrier, but note that ring & pinion need to be set up ($$$) when
> replacing the carrier and a 'master rebuild' kit to replace bearings and
> shims is recommended. Lunchbox lockers can be swapped in or out in a
> matter of minutes in the driveway.
>
> With the addition of a locker comes increased risk of breaking the
> relatively weak 5-260x axle joints found on most pre-1996 Dana 30s. Such
> breakage most often occurs when the steering wheel is hard over and or the
> front end is spinning fast and suddenly finds traction. Later Dana 30s
> have stronger 5-297x joints. The vacuum disconnect housing is limiting
> when considering options to convert to one-piece axles with stronger
> joints. When wheeling with locked 260 axles, it is a good idea to carry
> junkyard spares and know how to change them.
>
> Having a locked front end can make tight turns on the trail difficult. If
> you keep the YJ D30, consider installing a cable disconnect that replaces
> the vacuum mechanism. This will allow your daughter to disconnect the
> locked diff while in low range. Buy one for $200 or make your own:
>
> http://www.4x4posi-lok.com/app_jeep.html
> http://xjeep.dyndns.org/posilok/
>
> Steve
> http://xjeep.dyndns.org
>
> Greg wrote:
>> Daughter's 95 YJ has 9" in rear with detroit, she now wants a detroit
>> in the front, I read verying opinions on the YJs Dana 30 and putting in a
>> detroit locker, I understand if I put one in my CJ and unlock the hubs,
>> no locker problems, but what about the YJ with it's vacum, some one said
>> the YJ always has one axle engaged or something like that, and I also
>> read that something changed with the 95 YJs D 30, passenger side solid
>> axle?
>> So what's everyones opinion, I'd prefer to here from YJ owners with
>> detroits in front, or just opinions on Dana 30 with detroit, I don't want
>> to here about axle swaps, or Currie/Dynatrac options. Thanks.