Factory Locker?
I have a '97 Wrangler Sahara TJ. This is a completely stock Jeep except for the tires, which are 30s. Whenever I stomp on the gas both tires turn on the rear end. I thought maybe the previous owner installed a locker, but there are no outward signs. There aren't any lines from the rear housing or switches anywhere to be found. So I thought I was just crazy until another Jeeper was following me on a trail and asked why I had my locker on while on this very minor trail. What's going on?
We put it on the rack and turned the drive shaft and both tires turned. I couldn't figure it out until I read an article in Jp on lockers. That is when you mentioned "auto lockers." Did this Jeep come stock with one? We popped the rear cover off. (I had 200K on the clock, so it needed new oil anyway.) I then realized I had no clue what I was looking at. It doesn't matter if I'm on the street or trail; if I step on the gas I get two smoking tires. What do I have? Limited slip? Auto locker? Or is my wife right in stating I am just obsessed on rear ends? Any help or medication would really help.
Vann Campbell
Republic of Tejas.
Don't take it too hard, but you have no future as a magazine photographer! I couldn't tell exactly what diff you have from the photos you sent because they were too blurry, but based on what I could make out I'm certain you don't have a locker.
Most likely your Jeep has a Trac-Loc limited slip. It's a relatively low-torque bias limited slip made by Dana/Spicer and was offered on many Jeep Wrangler YJ, TJ, and Cherokee XJ models with the six-cylinder. If you spray a little brake cleaner on the differential case on the side the ring gear bolts are on you'll probably be able to make out the words "Trac-Loc" and "Dana Spicer" somewhere. You can also look inside and try to see behind the spider gears (the ones on the side of the case where the axle shafts go in). You'll see a recessed bore and two little metal clips holding what looks like a stack of washers behind each side gear. These are your friction plates.
While it's not uncommon for Wranglers to have a limited slip from the factory, it is uncommon for them to still work that well after that many miles. A lot of it can probably be attributed to your small tire size. Just make sure when you refill the diff you use gear lube with a friction modifier in it. Most lubes sold at autoparts stores already have this modifier. It'll say something like "for use with hypoid/limited slip differentials." Or, you can visit your local Jeep or Dodge dealership and buy a little 4-ounce bottle of friction modifier, PN 4318060 and add it to your oil if you've already filled it with plain 90W. Without the friction modifier the limited slip will chatter and wear the clutches prematurely.
Young Jeep Lust
My 16-year old son is a new subscriber to your magazine and is convinced that he can do what you did with your cheap $500 '89 Wrangler. To that end he has narrowed his search and pulled all of the money he has, convinced me to rent a trailer, and tomorrow we leave to tour two Jeeps, of which he seems convinced one is coming home with him.
His choices are between a '53 CJ-3B that runs but needs help: ultimately a new tub, new wiring, and brakes. Or, a '66 CJ-5 with a replacement fiberglass tub that is in running order with the exception of needing the gas tank replaced. And the '66 comes with a snow plow.
He had previously settled on getting the '53, but got a call out of the blue about the '66 being available. He wants to use them for occasional travel to school, as well as some off-roading.
Both are in the $2,000 range. Neither has tops and he plans to work his summer away on the choice of the two. We look at the CJ-5 first tomorrow. I am not a mechanic, expert or such but know enough to make repairs and curse my way through a repair manual. I ran across his latest issue of Jp on my way out of the house this morning and thought if there is any advice you can give with the little info I've provided, it would be a huge help.
Todd Freeman
Newark, Deleware