Mike H.
NAXJA Forum User
- Location
- phoenix az
Seems most every thread asks for background on rig and usage so I'll start there.
Rig:
Body- 97'XJ 4 door, stock t-case and gas tank skids, with C4x4F rock rails and front hooks, class IV hitch.
Power train- stock 4.0, ax-15, d231, SYE and d/s, d30(jks quickers) and cryco8.25(29 spline)(removed sway)) are open and 3.07'd.
2.5" lift via OME up front and custom overload leafs ome shocks.
stock steel wheels with 30x9.5 bfg at's.
Vehicle usage:
95% wife’s daily driver, grocery getter, run about, highway cruiser.
We wheel approx. 6-8 times a year, on aggressive trails (for the rig anyways, 3.0-3.5+ on a 5.0 rating-5being impassable without winch/body damage) and are often smiled at and told we'll never make it... very frequently... kinda funny now that we're used to it.
The rig will not likely see anymore lift or an increase in tire size on account of many snowballing variables($$$) when doing either/both.
When wheeled, I try and keep a light approach to things, only use momentum as a last resort. The rails and skids are well used, but not abused.
I hate mud and avoid it like the plague, and, snow, well, the only snow we’ll see will be highway situation, and, likely will not run in 4-hi… possibly some trail snow, but, will not be at speed.
A couple of trails are off limit do to flex/traction...
I've accomplished them without strapping(and no wife on board), but the pucker factor on some of the climbs/descents were... *ahem*... most exhilarating... enough so that I'll not go back without better equipment... but are beautiful trails and would love to run them.
I’ve pretty much decided on 4.10’s for gearing as the 3.07’s are a complete joke.
So, diff's...
Until recently I though about TrueTracks for their invisibility on road.
In searching here, I read that with one wheel in the air, they do not lock up. Well, that is the only time I need them to lock up so… Some say a tap on the brake locks them, others say it doesn’t. Now, I’m pretty accustom to driving the 5spd in the rough with one foot braking to control speed(3.07's), so, if they do lock under braking, I like them a lot.
I’ve been avoiding selectable lockers due to complexity/linkage, but would listen to advice on different brands.
I’ve been reading that full lockers are invisible in the D30 in 2-hi(stock automatic hubs)… but am a little concerned about turning on the tight trails here in the desert.
I’ll not consider a full locker, or even a lunch box in the rear, I don’t like them on the street, not even a little, and am certain my wife would hate! hate! hate! them... and it's her d/d.
So, what would you do for diff's if starting over again on a daily driver?
Rig:
Body- 97'XJ 4 door, stock t-case and gas tank skids, with C4x4F rock rails and front hooks, class IV hitch.
Power train- stock 4.0, ax-15, d231, SYE and d/s, d30(jks quickers) and cryco8.25(29 spline)(removed sway)) are open and 3.07'd.
2.5" lift via OME up front and custom overload leafs ome shocks.
stock steel wheels with 30x9.5 bfg at's.
Vehicle usage:
95% wife’s daily driver, grocery getter, run about, highway cruiser.
We wheel approx. 6-8 times a year, on aggressive trails (for the rig anyways, 3.0-3.5+ on a 5.0 rating-5being impassable without winch/body damage) and are often smiled at and told we'll never make it... very frequently... kinda funny now that we're used to it.
The rig will not likely see anymore lift or an increase in tire size on account of many snowballing variables($$$) when doing either/both.
When wheeled, I try and keep a light approach to things, only use momentum as a last resort. The rails and skids are well used, but not abused.
I hate mud and avoid it like the plague, and, snow, well, the only snow we’ll see will be highway situation, and, likely will not run in 4-hi… possibly some trail snow, but, will not be at speed.
A couple of trails are off limit do to flex/traction...
I've accomplished them without strapping(and no wife on board), but the pucker factor on some of the climbs/descents were... *ahem*... most exhilarating... enough so that I'll not go back without better equipment... but are beautiful trails and would love to run them.
I’ve pretty much decided on 4.10’s for gearing as the 3.07’s are a complete joke.
So, diff's...
Until recently I though about TrueTracks for their invisibility on road.
In searching here, I read that with one wheel in the air, they do not lock up. Well, that is the only time I need them to lock up so… Some say a tap on the brake locks them, others say it doesn’t. Now, I’m pretty accustom to driving the 5spd in the rough with one foot braking to control speed(3.07's), so, if they do lock under braking, I like them a lot.
I’ve been avoiding selectable lockers due to complexity/linkage, but would listen to advice on different brands.
I’ve been reading that full lockers are invisible in the D30 in 2-hi(stock automatic hubs)… but am a little concerned about turning on the tight trails here in the desert.
I’ll not consider a full locker, or even a lunch box in the rear, I don’t like them on the street, not even a little, and am certain my wife would hate! hate! hate! them... and it's her d/d.
So, what would you do for diff's if starting over again on a daily driver?
Last edited: