Lift, gears, and lockers

[Forester14]

Well it is tax return time and this year I am going to revamp the Jeep. I have a 95 YJ with a Rough County 4 in lift that has sagged big time. I want to swap out the springs with a set that will not sag and will flex a little better. I was looking at the Rusty's springs but I wanted to see if anyone had any experience with them?

Along with the new springs I am swapping out my 35 with an 8.8. With the swap, I am re-gearing to 4.88 and I wanted suggestions for a company that makes a good set. I also going to install lockers. I thinking about one of the new electric lockers from Auburn and Eaton. I read mixed reviews on both but no one can actually say they are good or bad? I was going to put the selectable in the rear and then a Lock rite or an Aussie locker in the front. I'm trying to keep things simple and somewhat cheap.

Thanks for any input into my government sponsored Jeep!

[jeannies_driver]

The Ected is not a true locker, only a limited slip that has a pressure plate that engages when you flip the switch. There's also been a ton of complaints about them not locking or unlocking in almost any configuration and severe problems with one's for the Dana 30.

The Eaton has pins that actually engage and " lock " it i believe. Also complaints about them not unlocking well, but holding up to abuse.

Why not an ARB ? They are really simple to work on if need be over something electrical that might short out... somewhere ?

We have a Loc-Rite in the front Dana 30 and it's an Awesome locker for what it is. It has worked flawlessly over the years and not broken.

I had Rusty's spring's on my X and wouldn't use them again. The rear's were way to stiff and i had to remove 2 of them to get it to sit properly. They finally settled some but when i added the springs back in it rode pretty rough. The front springs ( coil ) sagged extremely bad. It now seems they changed the rear spring and the rears are the one's sagging.

Black Diamond(?) I think has a 100% guarantee on their springs so if they sag or break they'll replace them.
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[Forester14]

I was really considering an ARB but they are costly and the air lines seem to be vulnerable to damage. I can splice a wire back together but an air line is a little more difficult to fix. I was also thinking about a mini spool for the rear. My Jeep doesn't see too much road time ( less than 5000 miles a year) so the tire chirping won't really bother me.

I will have to look into the Black Diamond springs. I really don't want to have to replace springs every 3 or 4 years because they sag.

I guess I have a few weeks to figure things out. I still have to buy a slip yoke eliminator and a CV driveshaft to match the new axle in the back, so I am a little more on a budget for the new springs and lockers.

[amcrawler78]

i like my aussie locker up front...its pretty much the same thing as a lock rite... i go with bds springs just cuz they have a good warntee...it only cost like 15 or 20 bucks to ship them for new springs...
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78 CJ 5
5.0L with t18a
4.25in of lift
33in truxs mts mounted on ballistic fab beadlocks
hard rock 4x4 sport cage
Metal Fusion Fab Tube Fenders
4.10s with detrott and aussie locker up front
Alloy USA Axles
VIAR obo
Warn M8000winch
Rockhard front bumper
one ton steering w/ redneck ram hydro assist

[aven2rus]

Might consider a Tracloc for the rear (limited slip) or find an 8.8 with the factory LS and a Locrite for the front. I ran this set-up for a long time at Paragon guiding black trails and worked well.

I am partial to Skyjacker Springs, yes I have ties to them but I ran thier springs long before that. They are one of the few leaf springs still US Steel, Shot peen hardend(increases strength), teflon sliders (smooth & quiet) and the get cycled to set before shipping. Not the cheapest but as you learned, you get what you pay for. Brian at Outten can get them.

As guarantee go they are life time as are most. However I worked for another company that had life time and saw pallets of them on return, they bought them cheap by the boat load so it was non-issue for them. So lifetime guarantee is no guarantee you will get a good spring.

[mwqpd11]

If you are looking at the Eaton E Locker, it has worked very well for me. I have them front and back. Never had a problem in 2 1/2yrs with them. Also running 40's, so strength dosen't seem to be a problem.
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1994 YJ on 40's
1976 CJ5, 360,T18, on 35's
1970 CJ5, Buick V6, on 32's
1973 J2000, stock with 18k, T18, 4.88's

[ehirner]

[Forester14]

I looked at the Skyjacker and the Black Diamond springs online this morning. I didn't know that the Black Diamond stuff was Superlift? Maybe I should put a poll post up and see what everyone things?

I am most likely going to stay away from the ARB's simply because they are really expensive and require not just an air source but they also require wiring of the solenoids. If I go with a selectable it will most likely be an electric one. I already have an 8.8 sitting in my garage and it is not a limited slip so I can add whatever locker I want. I think I am going to do the Aussie in the front since they are faily affordable.

[Rockhound]

I have had 2 different (d30 and 9inch) ARB's now. I ran the D30 for 4 plus years??? I have never had an air leak or problem of any kind...ever. I would put an ARB in before any other locker in a second...worth the money IMO. Even my detroit has been acting up in the cold...won't always lock. But the ARB still worked every time. I think the key is people are the problem most of the time. THINK when you set up the air lines, and they will be fine. They are so simple, that is what makes them good.
But they are $$$ and I can understand that being a reason to not buy them.

Good luck!
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[aven2rus]

[/quote]I've heard more people have problems with ARBs and air leaks that I'm not sure I'd want to spend the extra money on them plus a compressor to run them.[/quote]

I have set-up several of these with no issues after many years of service as well. The key is proper set-up. A lot of them are Super35's which can be a good choice as well. The compressor done right is also a handy upgrade to have.

[ehirner]

[dan58]

For such limited road use, I'd go with a Detroit rear and lockright front. Call it a day! I DD'd my TJ that way for 3 years with no issue at all. Simple, reliable, and 100% traction.

I've had great luck with Rubicon Express springs. I can't say my BDS springs fared quite as well.

[Forester14]

The detroits are almost as expensive as the E Locker I was looking at. I read somewhere that the Detroit's have a tendency to self destruct if an axle shaft breaks? That being said, I am pretty new to the whole locker scene so I am trying to build a little knowledge before I buy! I am still tempted to spend 70 bucks on a mini spool for the back and call it done.

Does anyone have experience with YJ leafs from Explorer Procomp? I would love the Rubicon Express 4.5 Extreme duty but I can't afford them at the moment. I may go with the Skyjacker springs if they are cost effective.

I keep wondering if having custom springs made would be easier and a little more cost effective than buying a set from somewhere?

[jeannies_driver]

Custom springs cost a LOT more than any pack you can buy from a dealer, at least from the spring place in Lanc./York i talked to.

Any locker can be killed from breaking a shaft from ARB's to Detroit's, it just depends on how bad the break is. If you want a spool and are changing gears I would just get a full carrier spool for $100 and be done with it. I'm not sure how hard it would be to get the mini spool in and out if something is broken. On road in corners it get's hairy even on dry pavement but off road it would just tend to push a little in the corners. It is however more predictable than any locker would be and doesn't unload going down the road nor give any real bad road manners other than the push.
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[Forester14]

Do I have to go with the C-clip eliminator kits if I go with the full spool? I am changing gears up to 4.88 so I guess a full spool will be the best choice.

[jeannies_driver]

I'm not sure but i would assume that you would have to. They might have the slots cut for c-clips however ?
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[spin55x11]

If you are really worried about the vulnerability and leaks in the ARB air lines, there are some heavy duty lines available. The line itself is stronger and the connector is more stout than what comes with the ARB.

http://www.quadratec.com/products/12706_50X_PG.htm

http://www.quadratec.com/products/12706_51X_PG.htm
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- Paul

"Few things are harder to put up with than the annoyance of a good example" - Mark Twain

[aven2rus]

"Does anyone have experience with YJ leafs from Explorer Procomp?"

Same over seas ....well you know as Rough Country.