Aussie Locker's NEW Aluminum Dana 44 Locker! UPDATE 12/24/2005

[Lbrty9]

Okay, after a week of having the locker in, here's my opinion of street driving.

I can barely tell it's there. I only hear the ratcheting when the radio is off and the window's are open. And it really isn't that loud. I only really notice it when I have no radio, open windows and I'm taking a fairly sharp turn or if I am backing up.

I have no problems taking corners. I don't get kicking or hopping. It rides very well.

So, the true test will be in less than two weeks when she hit's moab!! And I'll definately post back up afterward to let you know what I think.

And the full install write up is coming. Right now we're spending all our time on Dave's LA install.

Well, how'd it do and where's the write-up???

[BigDaveZJ]

Well, how'd it do and where's the write-up???

We just got back last night!!!!

[Lbrty9]

Must have been an awesome trip!

[MikeyM]

Hello all. So has anyone tried getting on the gas around turns without spining the tires to see if it locks up?? It seems like a good value for performance upgrade but my main concern would be streetability; especially coming around the freeway onramps and hitting the gas pretty hard around the corners.

Any feedback yet on how it performs offroad in contrast to, say, a Trac-lok?

Thanks, Mike.

[usafeod86]

I have a WJ and have had it in for about 4 months now and I dont notice it at all when the pavement is dry except for the clicking when the windows are down. Im not a serious wheeler and since my grand has only 2.5 suspension lift and some 31's i dont get too far before im stuck. In my opinion I love it. Its much better than the stock vari-lock(?) that I had before. Im happy with the product but it got a lil pricy having to by new shafts and an open carrier. BUt there arent that many options for the D44A.

[MikeyM]

Thanks for the info... so you haven't experienced any unpleasantries getting on the gas out of turns?

Thanks, Mike.

[usafeod86]

nope nothing that i can complain about. If the road is dry it gives me no problems. However if there is dirt or rain on the road the tires will slip a lil and then the locker will engage straightening the jeep out fairly quick.

[napajeep]

Don't mean to hi-jack here, but, did I see your Jeep on a flatbed a couple of weeks ago Mike? If not, your Jeep has a twin in Napa.

[BigDaveZJ]

Mikey,
In driving Pam's ZJ every once in a while I have noticed no adverse effects on streetability. I truly can't tell it's back there except for the clicking. With the swaybars disco'd, if you throttle it pretty good it will give you some body lean, but I'm used to that with my ZJ running a spool where it happens all of the time. I've driven her ZJ pretty hard on the street, and it's got a 249 case, so it's not going to lose traction on dry pavement anyways. I am certainly looking forward to this winter though to see how it does in snow.

[MikeyM]

Thanks for the feedback, guys - that helps alot.

Yeah, that was me. I took my daughter to her vollyball camp way up Hagen Rd, shut it off, and that was when the starter decided to give it's life. After waiting for the TT for 3 hours (they had a CHP audit that day - go figure) and an hour or so at home I had a new starter in it and we were good to go.

This locker sounds awesome. I think I'll make the move on one.

Mike.

[zjmikey]

Just wanted to comment that I have been running the locker now for almost 6 months.. no problems at all... it does ratchet quite loudly when turning in parking lots, but I have gotten used to it.


when I did the swap I also put in Yukon Alloy shafts and put new bearings and seals in the diff while I was at it..

I have beaten the poop out of it for the past few summer months all over southern california, including big bear, anza borrego, truckhaven hills and Johnson valley.

No issues at all, I serviced the diff today and did NOT notice any metal shaving, and I also pulled the axles just to check the splines, they all looked great..

I am running heavy 35" comp compound Maxxis Creepy Crawlers with Staun beadlocks and the combo has held up great so far...

Definitely makes a HUGe difference off-road, almost isnt fun anymore with an ARB up front and this in the rear combined with the 4-1 just crawl over everything.

[wonder371]

I'm still holding out on my purchase because I fear how they will act in snow. I drive up to the snow almost every weekend during winter. Any guesses on how you think the Aussie will react to slippery/icy roads?

Thanks In Advance.

[zjmikey]

I'm still holding out on my purchase because I fear how they will act in snow. I drive up to the snow almost every weekend during winter. Any guesses on how you think the Aussie will react to slippery/icy roads?

Thanks In Advance.

it wont matter that much when you are in 4wd..

if you run in the snow in 4wheel full time, I doubt if you will need to worry

[gonecheenin]

A automatic locker should act no different then a posi in the snow since the snow doesn't offer enough friction to break a posi loose either

and like was said if your in fulltime your front wheels are pulling you straight anyway

[fr3db3ar]

Personally I'm looking forward to snow/aussie/2wd

[Taz]

you know, if i can't find some damn replacement spiders/side gears, I'm going to have to get that locker too. It seems like no one has parts for it, and I can't justify spending > $50 on a used set of spiders....

Or....swap in an 8.8 since the ABS is non functional on my ZJ anyways. I need to find someone to do some welding for me though. that's teh hard part.

[Jim311]

Taz I'd send you my spiders but I'm keeping them around in case my locker ever explodes or something crazy happens on the trail. It's a hell of a lot easier to swap in a set of spiders than to install a lunchbox locker on the trail.

[Taz]

Taz I'd send you my spiders but I'm keeping them around in case my locker ever explodes or something crazy happens on the trail. It's a hell of a lot easier to swap in a set of spiders than to install a lunchbox locker on the trail.

I bet. I talked to a friend of a friend who's a certified welder lastnight. We are welding the spiders to teh carrier wed night. how long will the thing last

[HuskerZJ]

Is there a difference between the trac-lok and open carriers on the 44A? Also do you have any updates on this?

[BigDaveZJ]

Husker, there absolutely is a difference between the open and lsd carriers for the 44a. You need the open carrier for the Aussie Locker to work properly.

As for an update, we haven't gotten Pam's ZJ on the trail in a while, but it's been doing pretty good on the road. No real adverse reactions to snow with the locker, which was nice.

[daverobb@rewedmonton]

My Aussie has been in for about 3 months and 6 to 7 thousand KMs. It is noisey. There is a noticable clicking and sometimes a snapping noise when turning sharply and in parking lots and when backing up. If going a little quickly it will scrub and sometimes spin the inside wheel. Care must be taken when cornering if it has started to rain or drizzle and the Jeep is in two wheel drive. Traction is fantastic. It really has more traction in mud and water in 2WD than it had in 4WD, with the open rear. It will push our travel trailer up a muddy or gravel grade in reverse, where before it would spin out. I've even gotten kind of used to the noise and telling those who inquire, that it has a locker.
The Jeep is a '98 ZJ Laredo with a 5.9, 46RE, 242 D44a and D30 combo and my DD.

[AQHACowboy]

Any more updates on this, I have a buddy wanting to do this and run 33" tires on his d44a. Any and all info welcome.

[Jim311]

I have one of the original prototype Aussies. I can't recall exactly when I first got it, but it's been at least 40k miles or more with zero problems. I won't claim to be the hardest wheeler on the board, and I only run 33s, but I've had zero problems out of my turd polished 44a. It's got 4.56s and upgraded shafts from Randys also. I have no complaints whatsoever other than that it makes some noise in the parking lot but that's to be expected. It works every time.

[AgitatedPancake]

Just a bump for aussies sweet ass lockers. This has been in my DD WJ since Feb '06, still looks like new =D

[KevinF]

Looks brand new! You must change your fluid regularly. I should probably do that too, lol.

Kevin