I have Spartan lockers front and rear in my 2001 Cherokee. Rear locker was always pretty quiet . When I put the locker in the front it was noisier than in the rear and made it a little harder to drive. I added front hubs and that made it drive by far the best it ever has on the road. Eliminated the the front locker until I engage the hubs.

Best headliner on KZfaq.

This is a solid review. I have been running lunch box lockers in K5 Blazers since the late 90's. I had one failure due to axle shaft breakage of a stock, high mileage GM 10 bolt axle shaft that I admit was my right foot entirely. The particles from the broken axle shaft tore up the locker because I did a trail replacement but did not get all the crap out of the axle housing. The cross pin will wear flats where it engages the locker. Even the "high strength" cross pin will get flats worn on it. At least with a V8 powered heavy pig like a K5 Blazer. It doesn't seem to hurt anything but it does produce some fine metal in the oil. Just keep up on diff oil changes and take the opportunity to inspect things in there. A Spartan locker is 1/4 the price of a full case detroit in 2023 not even including the extra labor involved. I see at lot of comments about how these work. A Spartan locker, Lock-rite, Monkey Grip, EZ locker, etc all work the same; Allow 1 axle shaft to spin faster than ring gear speed but neither axle shaft to spin slower than ring gear speed. They respond to torque applied by locking both axles together. That's it. So on a right turn under light throttle you rig is applying power to the right rear wheel while the left over-runs the ring gear speed. This also causes some of the handling issues since the weight of your rig is shifted onto the left wheel during a right turn; the wheel that is unlocked under part throttle, and all the torque is going to the wheel with the least contact pressure. If you take the same right turn with a heavy right foot both axles will lock together and you get a chirp. If you modulate throttle during a turn you get a bang sonetimes. Particularly at low speed. The parking lot bang when backing out is the differential torque stresses overcomming the spring pressure in the locker holding the dogs together. I've spent decades driving these things and still get a little unpredictable pop here and there in parking lots. It's just a daily reminder you did the right thing.

You get the same kick-out on an icy hill with a LSD too. I've got a factory LSD in my Dana 35 and have had that happen a couple times. It's not a huge deal once you know what to expect.

I ran a spartan in my '98 XJ, same exact setup 8.25" rear. I had a manual trans and that made its lock/unlock extremely predictable. It makes driving even on the street exciting, being able to slide the back around corners. I also found it tracked way better on the highway. The ratcheting noise is cool and fun, not a problem at all unless you are embarrassed by strangers thinking your car is broken. I would definitely do it again if I got another XJ.

Thanks thanks for the review, I am looking into these for mine ,don’t do hard core off road but want traction in the field and snow, irrigation patches

Outstanding! Great footage and examples. Answered all my questions! Keep on Jeepin!

Thanks. I’m going ratchet in the 8.25 and helical in the Dana 30. Was really unsure, but after watching numerous videos and getting opinions I think that will be good on road manners and Offroad capability.

Hey, I grew up in SoDak so that's cool. I tossed Spartans in my front and rear on my Toyota. Converted the front to manual hubs so locker is only active when hubs are locked. I was curious about durability, but sounds like after 70k miles, that's not an issue. Nice jeep, thanks for the vid.

Good stuff my guy, I just finished my 4.5" on my 87 pioneer and I've been contemplating lockers and you've just sold me on a lunchbox, probably going to get one for my front as well. Good info 👌🏻

Truly appreciated info. Does narrow it all down. 👍

WOW. Thanks so much I think the previous owner of my jeep put on spartans it explains the kick out on the snow and noise I keep hearing which I kept on thinking it was a suspension problem

By far the best infomercial I have a two-wheel drive trucks that I want to install this particular Locker on but did not have all the info on it thank you for telling us that Good The Bad and The Ugly on this particular Locker I will definitely purchase and install one in my vehicle. Again thank you so much

Great useful information video. Straight to the point. My 98 ZJ had the factory limited slip rear differential. Great additional traction, but yep, it would get you sideways in ice/snow LOL. Even in full time 4WD. In part time 4WD you didn't even notice it back there except for the little bit of additional traction it gave...2WD it would go sideways on you every chance it had LOL. Once you get used to what it does in certain conditions its so easy to handle and predict what its going to do and when. Go into a turn under throttle, and you can easily do 360's in the middle of the road if you want LOL. Go into a corner, let off the throttle no problems at all in 2WD or full time 4WD mode. If I would have kept the Jeep I probably would have upgraded to something better, however the Jeep is gone now and my next one will be an XJ, and it'll be for some mild to moderate offroad use...it'll be a toy more or less but still be able to drive it on the highway when I want.

I have a Spartan locker in the front and I love it. I just got an Aussie locker for the rear. It’s a 95 yj on 35s, I can’t wait to install myself and take it out!!! It’s a super easy install!

Looking for a locker for my work truck but cant afford an electronic unit. Nice to know these work. My truck will rarely be off roading but when getting fire wood in the woods or plowing snow extra traction is needed. Nice review

Really liked the review about your locker. It was a very detailed and informative video! Keep it up!

I had a lunchbox in the rear of an XJ with 35s and a manual trans, it was great off-road, but a bit unnerving to drive on the street. In many turns it would lock under power, then unlock when I shifted which would suddenly change how much it was steering so I had to learn to time it and turn the wheel as I throttled down to shift. In my buddy's XJ with 32s and an automatic it was not an issue. He also had one in the front and it worked way better than I thought it would, no steering difficulties in obstacles or high speed wheeling in 4WD. On road the ratcheting from the front was much more noticeable than a rear, especially in tight turns where it would ratchet pretty fast. You could clearly hear it and feel it through the steering wheel, made it seem like something was broken, but it never upset the steering.

I installed a Lock-Right in my 93 2wd Toyota pickup in 95, it was the best modification I ever made to any vehicle I ever owned ! Every thing else was stock, with 195/75 R14 snow tires and 300lb in the bed for winter it was the most capable 2wd around. Since then I have almost exclusively owned 4wd TRD Offroad Tacoma's and one Fulltime 4wd FJ Cruiser that I will always regret trading in. I'm currently still driving the 2010 TRD Offroad Tacoma that I bought after trading in the FJ, so my regret isn't too bad. All had/have manual transmissions.

Thanks mate great review cleared up all my concerns

Thank you, this was very helpful.

In Alaska, have a ONE owner (me) supercharged 2003 Jeep TJ 4.0L hardtop + 5-speed manual and a Ford 8.8 rear axle with a Spartan locker here, along with a Aussie locker in the front Dana30. When I make sharp turns in 2WD low, it makes the usual lunchbox locker clicking noises. Doesn't bother me as it's _the last of the REAL traditional Jeeps with a tub & straight six_ ! Have almost 100,000 miles on both lockers and still going strong. Good video & nice XJ there!

Hey bud I appreciate this video and it gave me a lot to think on... subscribed and am hoping to see a lot more of your videos

Been considering getting a front auto locker for my 97 4runner for awhile now but was unsure since it my daily and my wheeler. Awesome video, you covered pretty much all subjects someone would have on these. Thanks man, I think its finally time to place the order

super loud bang.. a little thud I've had a few lunchbox lockers. They do bang and thud but it's the locker working.

This is exactly what I was looking for. Thank u so much I was worried I wouldn’t be able to use it as a daily and heard some bad things bout em but I definitely think ima get em now.

Thank you! I'm thinking about installing lunchbox lock on my 1998 GMC Jimmy. Nice explanation!

So, just put an Aussie locker in my WJ with my buddy and it was in part due to your video talking about how nice this style of locker is. Getting ready for Moab next month!

Great honest video 👍

I love that head liner!

Excellent video and thanks for the info , I'm buying one of these for my daily driver 93 xj

Just on here doing research looking for a good quality brand to stick in my 99 XJ I just bought two weeks ago. I had posi in my 81 Chevy short box half ton years ago out of a Chevelle .The main reason why I put posi in that was because going hunting and going up steep gravel roads you would just spin one tire it seemed all the way up the hill without it . very irritating, positraction definitely helped, never Spun after that . IT also keeps washboarding and giant holes from forming in the road.

Thanks for the info and your video was well put together 🤙🏼🤙🏼🤙🏼

Thanks for the great video, very helpful and informative. I have a Lokka in the front of my Trooper and it does amazing offroad. With the hubs unlocked in 2 WD on pavement, it does not do anything as the front axles are not spinning. As I don't want to spend close to $2000 for an air locker, I am contemplating putting a Lokka in the rear. Your video and the other comments helped me in making the decision, despite many people saying how terrible they are on pavement. I am sold.

Have you towed a trailer with it? I have found that dry asphalt and reversing can become more difficult having a spartan in the rear. I would say that smooth riding depends alot from your throttle control (keeping the revs eaven and equal to the speed on the turns)

Just bought my “first” xj (there will be more) 90% of the driving will be street, like a weekend trail rider. This is one of the best, descriptive, helpful videos out here for noobs like myself.

My last four trucks have had a lock rite locker in the rear diff. No problems street or off road.

I've got a Spartan in the rear of my FJJ60 LandCruiser. I would agree with everything he says. Awesome upgrade. I needed more grip in the woods around my house when gathering wood etc. Massive increase in grip especially with my truck that is leaf springs front and rear which don't flex as good, it was easy to get stuck going through a dip at an angle. Now it's no problem.

So I'm running a 96 xj as a professional locksmith in colorado. Thanks I'm thinking I'll be getting one for my rig. Had wondered about drivability over time and it seems just fine.

Thanks for sharing. At some point in the not too distant future, I will be putting a locker in my 94 XJ. I have the Chrysler 8.25, just don't know the spline count. Seems there are 2 different splined axles options for my XJ.

Dam. now I have no excuses for my old 4R... Do the rear with the rebuild. The kicking out might actually make for some hilarious fun.

The headliner looks like my mother's table cloth😅😂

I run an Aussie in the back of my 04 Grand, it makes less noise than the stock Vari-lok diff did. The rear does kick more however I was raised in northern Michigan where one has no choice but to know how to drive in the snow. With a Tru-Trac in the front it is quite the capable comfortable trail rig.

Ordering tonight, thanks for the great review, restored 98 TJ 4" lift on 33's, next 17" wheels on 35's!!

Hey dude finally a great vid on actual lunchbox locker feedback! Cheers mate! I’m looking at installing one in my 2wd Toyota Fortuner. Its my DD so worried about how road manners are and if my wife will be able to drive it hahaha

Awesome video I'm thinking of adding a spartan in the rear of my 99 wj with trutrac lsd up front since its my daily and roads get icy and snowy here in the winter and ive heard front lunchbox lockers suck in snow and ice on road. What were you running up front in the video? Lsd, open, selectable?

Thank you, was specifically looking for info on daily driver manners and longevity. A Spartan locker is in my future.

thanx for the info , trying to decide from this or trutrac for the rear as its my daily driver . I always hear its cons about having it as a daily driving in the winter .

Damn Just stumbled upon this video and hear it about 15 seconds into it I hear you say the black hills forest this is awesome news to me as a kid living in Olympia/Tumwater area...I would drive out Past Little Rock and follow the back roads up into the black hills up to mount Molly, the power tower, the power lines and many miles beyond.... OK time to press play and only 15 seconds in and im happy...

Good stuff, Ty!

got a powertrax lock right in my rear ford 8.8 and its almost unoticeable, even with windows down and tight full clock turn its silent, and it only ever locks when im hard on the throttle or going up something, i can give it mild to medium gas pulling onto a road and it stays unlocked and no tire chirp

I like that headliner fix. If mine ever starts drooping,it's goin plaid.

Thanks for a good video. I am looking at setting up an Isuzu Rodeo for wheeling and trying to glean what info I can about lockers. I get the impression that some of the ratcheting style lockers might act differently depending on variables like spring strength, tire size and vehicle weight. ?? Yours seem to be working properly. That's good!

The music is totally rad!

Excellent video , thanks I just ordered a spartan locker for my project 93 xj . Daily driver to work and weekend trail rig

Thanks was looking for a vid like this

I would say the most noticeable thing about the lunchbox locker is how is straightens you out when you step on the gas. Taking a corner on the highway when it down shifts you have to correct for it. I did notice my lock right clicking while turning but it didn't bother me. I have a detroit locker now and I don't hear it at all. Even though the lunchbox locker has a few small cons, the traction is amazing and totally worth it!

Great review and exceptional experience! Definitely taking your advice and moving forward with a rear spartan locker! Cheers!

Thanks a lot for your video. Very helpful the honest way you putted it! I’m thinking about to install a spartan lunchbox on my 97 TJ that I just bought and I was wondering if there would be a good idea to install it in the front a rear axle?? I heard that I should install just in the front axel so I wouldn’t have any problem since in the city I can have just 2WD! Do you have any idea 💡?? Thank you again for the helpful video. Paulo.

Thanks, yeah I've got a daily driver wj, looking into lockers

Well done video by the way. I like the explenation then a video example by the way Edit: 2 months since i made this comment, i have a few months on the spartan lunchbox in my amc 20 rear on my cj. I hardly notice the pops but also my v8 is loud. You feel the locker but only if you think about it after the first week of driving. On ice is loves to break lose but even in 2wd if you give her the sauce she digs and takes off on sheer ice. Only complaint is when it binds in a dry parking lot 2nd gear has less torque and somtimes it will buck and jerk a little if rpm is low. Ez fix just drive in 1st in the parking lot or rev it up higher, but also i have stock gears so that doesnt help, but i do alot of highway so thats why.

Puts my mind at ease. All the internet mechanics with all the storys of hell coming apon them when they put in a spartan locker. Putting one in my 81 cj since im wide trac swapping it with some scrambler axles

Do you make the custom headliner? I've never seen that before. Such a good idea!

I have a question for you. I am not a off road nut just want to get to the store in the ice or thru a mud hole on the ranch. have a cj with open diffs. I have the manual hubs. can I just put one in the front for those times and leave my rear a open diff? I was thinking I would have a three wheel drive and 0 noise on the streets. like I said 99.5% time Im in 2wd anyway

Any more honest and you’ll be a priest. Very nice, simple review. Thank you.

Your running automatic trans right If you're running Manuel it will lock when on deceleration if you in gear so that's another thing to get use to

Does anything not have kickout in 2wd? Also were you talking pros/cons vs open or LsD?

I know it's been a while since you've posted this video but I was thinking about putting some Spartan lockers on my 83 K5 Blazer and was getting some feedback from other shops saying that lockers aren't great for a full size truck. What are your thoughts?

I was thinking about buying one of these to put in my 2wd f150 to help with snow and gravel roads. I figured it would help on the way up and down the ski hill and around logging roads.. worth it?

I'm putting one in my samurai what gear oil do you use, synthetic or straight gear oil. Thanks

Great video

I've got a 06' jeep commander with the qt2,so no elsd.i was on the fence about a locker like yours for the rear.it is full time 4wd and I live in Wisconsin so I do a good amount of driving on snow.this is also my daily so you think the only draw back is the noise it makes?

I have a rear LSD and it is the same thing. I have to put it on 4WD when I am on snow.

That was really helpful. Thanks for the info. Is your front diff open or do you have a LS?

Thanks for posting your thoughts on this. I have a mid 90's yota 4x4 ex-cab that I'm about to lift and do a wider rear axle / long travel front and regear to 4.88s. I really wanted to do LSDs or lockers but the cost is ...so costly. At under $300 each for these it's really a no-brainer based on your near 80k miles testimony here. I'd probably go with the same brand for front and rear since I'll be doing both at the same time. So I guess the big question is are there some lunchboxes that are better than others?

What size of lift are you running, and with what tire size? Did you re-gear as well?

Thanks

I went with the powertrax no-slip and it's gotten me everywhere offroad...they are great if you are patient and get to know them.

Used to live in Spearfish. Man I miss that area.

Thanks brother I’ll install it. This locker

Thanks for the long-term review. So many people give recommendations after 5 minutes of ownership. What are your thoughts on lunch box lockers front and rear? Thank you!

Excellent review! I’m about to buy the same one for my XJ. It advises not to drive on the highway though, but it seems to be fine in your opinion?

I have auto hubs. Can/should they be used with lunch box lockers?

Great video man, we are thinking of adding these to the front and the rear of our JK sport. I noticed you didn’t recommend using them in the front can you give me some insight on that?

I had the E-Z locker in my 65 mustang and it would clunk around turns unless i was giving it hell then i had positrac. I would imagine these in my jeep would be the same.

I have a Jeep zj rwd with a d44hd I’ve been told that Spartan lockers are bad for road use. But I am questioning that after this video and I already own a locker. Debating should I install it or sell the Spartan locker?

Awesome video! I have a 04 TJ with a Dana 35 in the rear and everyone says don't put money in a 35 and save up for some 44s. Well I'm 62 and live in AZ and off-road all the time but very, easy stuff, forest and Jeep trails but never any rock crawling or crazy stuff what so ever. This definitely seems like a fantastic idea for my application. Is your rear a Dana 35?

Anyone experience axle wrap resulting in wheel hop. When in grass or gravel. Hard acceleration and even power braking is fine. Sometimes the rear will slide and not hop but sometimes i get that wheel hop at low speeds. I almost blame the tire but the leaf springs do have more miles than you'd imagine but i have a toyota so they are hard to kill

welp you've convinced me. Seems like my 86 hilux is gunna get an overhaul.

How is it for daily driving ? i'm more a weekend warrior offroad. I dailydrive to my job 60 miles per day. I can't find a spartan for my 1998 GMC Jimmy but there's Powertrax available. Does Powertrax is reliable like Spartan ?

I’d put a limited slip LSD in rear, an automatic in front and only do 4WD off road at lower speeds, not on paved road.

Good video I gave ya a like 😊 I do have a question though. I live in Mn and I already installed a elocker in the rear and the only locker I can get in the front is a Lokka unless I go Air and I don't want to go that route. My concern is driving when the roads are bad snow and ice in 4Hi and being able to safely maneuver around cars or a deer etc... What are your thoughts?.. thx

If you have a front locker and manual hubs will it hurt it to lock in front hubs but not in 4 hi and drive into town in patchy snow and just pop it in 4 hi when I need more traction. Will anything break or just tires wear faster? Or do I need to stop at every spot of snow and get out and lock in hubs and put it in 4 hi so I don't damage locker?

Researching on adding a lunchbox lockers to my 2000 TJ stock. Are the diffs the same ?

Nice review. I had Detroit’s on a bronco (front and back) and noticed the same thing plus with the front locked power on turns (going up a hill to a 90 degree turn) I would have to put it in 2wd or let off the gas when possible to make it (snow covered roads).

Very informative user review. Any cons or experiences with towing and having this locker?

Hi comrade ! I own an LJ with DANA 44 Limited Slip differential at its rear end, that shows signs of serious internal damade. It isy daily driving car. Now there is the to either rebuild my rear LSD (or install new LSD), or, as an option, buy new carrier, ring and pinion, and launchbox type differential. Having the experience driving your Jeep on Spartan Locker, what would you recommend me to install. Again, it is daily driving car, light offroading rarely. Have never had experience with self locking diffs, have no idea how they act on the roads.

I’m curious about added wear on other parts if any have you noticed with the locker? Had any breaks?

Hello, have you noticed unusual tire wear after installing spartan lockers?

Question. I was considering doing a LBL in the FRONT of my xj and then eventually doing a limited slip in the rear. I was thinking that this would be better for north Idaho winters, and for off-roading. Now after seeing this Im wondering if it would be better to do it opposite like the guy in the video did. Pros? Cons?