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Last Updated on January 4, 2023 by John Patterson
Nature adventures are always wonderful. There’s nothing more fun and thrilling than satisfying the guts of your human nature.
However, for your own safety and experience, you need a good ride to navigate those rough and uneven terrains. For this purpose, you will find a jeep incredibly helpful.
Sadly, there are certain situations where even the most capable off-road vehicle will be helpless, even if it’s a JK Jeep. A common scenario is when you get stuck in a storm, and discover your tires are ditched in the mud or snow.
In this kind of situation, what you desperately need is a locker for greater agility and maneuverability.
Therefore, in this article, we are going to look at the best lockers for Jeep JK currently available in the market.
5 Best Lockers for Jeep JK in 2023: Reviews and Guide
Buying a locker for a Jeep JK can be a big decision, especially if this is your first time in the market. There are numerous lockers for jeep jk available with different price ranges and models. But not to worry, we’ve done all the hard work for you.
After carrying out extensive research, we were finally able to uncover the top five best lockers for jeep on the counter. Without wasting any more time, let’s delve right into it.
#1. Spartan Locker Review: USA Standard Gear SL D30-27 differential-27
- EASY DROP-IN INSTALLATION: Replaces your spider...
- HIGH STRENGTH STEEL: Made from 9310 steel for...
- QUALITY: Heat treated and precision cut teeth...
- FITMENT: Fits the Dana 30 differential, 27 spline....
- Lunchbox-style mechanical locker
- Fabricated from 9310 steel
- Ultraheat treated
- Improved tooth design
- 65 pounds weight
- Fits Dana 30 differential with 27 spline axles
- Easy to install
- Compact design
- Very precise
- Great value for your money
- Excellent traction
- Makes uncomfortable sounds
- No auto-lock switch
When it comes to products that are designed for off-road vehicles, there are very few brands that can boast of the reputation created by USA Standard Gear.
Their Spartan locker is, without a doubt one of the best lockers for jeep options in the market. It is specifically designed to provide excellent traction control to your Jeep JK but without the high price point of most premium models.
Why Choose This Spartan Locker?
- Compatible with 27 Splines of Dana 30
It will also interest you to know that this locker works with splines of size 30. Each one of the teeth is cut with high precision and heat-treated to provide you with excellent traction. Just fit this into your jeep to easily maneuver the most rugged terrain.
- Quality Steel Construction
This locker is made of drivers and couplers that are manufactured with the highest-grade steel, which makes it highly durable. So if you’re looking for lockers for jeep jk that will last you a very long time, then you will not be disappointed with this high-quality model.
- Easy Set-Up
Another thing that separates this product from competitors is its very easy installation step. It adopts a unique drop-in process that uses a spring and pin design.
This eliminates the need for thrust washers, thus making the locker much more accessible and fast to set up compared to many similar lockers.
A pictorial installation manual is provided with the product to ensure you don’t make any mistakes. It is possible that after installation, you may have more difficulty steering forward. You might also hear a popping sound whenever you make a sharp turn.
- Economical
As indicated earlier, this product is not as expensive as most of its counterparts. So if you’re looking for a highly efficient yet more affordable locker, this is the one to go for.
You will enjoy 100 percent traction every time you hit off-road for your adventures.
Our Verdict
This Spartan locker is one of the most popular lockers for off-road vehicles (if not the most popular), and it’s not difficult to see why. It gives you superb traction control at a price that is hard to beat.
Despite the uncomfortable sound it produces, we still consider it one of the best lockers for Jeep Jk. It comes highly recommended.
#2. Yukon Grizzly Locker Review: Gear YDGGM8.5-3-30-1 Dura Grip Locker
Another incredible differential high-quality locker that works excellent for Jeep JK is the Dura Grip Locker from Yukon Gear. As the name suggests, the locker is designed for vehicles with 30 spine axles.
So if you fall into this category, you will significantly benefit from using the product as it doesn’t only provide excellent traction but also has a long lifespan.
- Forged 4320 Steel Internals
- Fully Rebuildable; 4-spring, clutch style...
- Clutch Style Positraction
- Assembled in the USA
- Forged 4320 steel
- 4-Spring Dura grip design
- Nodular iron case
- Clutch style positraction
- 4 pounds
- Highly durable
- Fully rebuildable
- Versatile
- Easy to set-up
- Noisy when turning
Why Choose the Yukon Gear YDGGM?
- Long-Lasting
One of the things customers love about this product is that it has a long lifespan. And this is mainly because it is made of high-quality materials – chromium and steel – responsible for their added strength and toughness. Thus the locker can hold up well even in the harshest conditions.
- Positraction
The locker features a positraction that consists of four springs. This clutch-style design enhances its durability and also makes it possible to rebuild the locker even though it comes already preassembled.
- Dura Grip
This is another notable feature of this locker, which you will not find in many similar models. With the Dura grip, you enjoy smooth transfers and achieve greater twisting force, making it a lot easier to get out of sticky situations.
- Easy Installation
Many models take up to a week to set up, but this one can be easily installed within two hours. It can also be installed on vehicles besides a Jeep JK provided they have 30 spline axles.
Verdict
If you are looking for a locking differential for various vehicles, you won’t go wrong with the Yukon Gear YDGGM8. It comes with high-strength components, making it highly reliable even in the toughest conditions. We cannot recommend it enough!
#3. Detroit Locker Reviews: Eaton 912A585
Eaton is a company that has been in operation for more than 100 years in the automotive industry, which clearly indicates that they’re a brand you can trust. Their differential locker, Detroit Truetrac, is one of the top-performing options in the market regarding high quality.
- Differential Type: Limited Slip (LSD); Gear Spline...
- Ring Gear Size: 7.2 IN, Ring Gear Ratio: 3.73 & up
- Axle Description: Dana 30, Wrangler JK ; Axle...
- Catalog Notes: Applies to non-disconnect only
- Dana 30 Axle
- Limited Slip Differential
- Helical gear
- 33 pounds
- Maintenance-free
- Long-lasting
- Great price
- Multi-purpose (also suitable for street drive)
- Not the best for older vehicles
Why Choose the Detroit Truetrac 912A585?
- Helical Gear Design
It will interest you that the Eaton 912A585 was the first differential locker in the market to feature a helical gear design. In other words, it doesn’t come with any wearable parts, which makes it maintenance-free. However, depending on mileage, you will need to replace the oil from time to time.
- Decent Traction
This product provides adequate traction for slippery situations, though not as much as you get with the models reviewed above.
- Maintenance-Free Traction
It will interest you to know that this is a maintenance-free traction system. In other words, you don’t have to worry about using it with a friction modifier, as this is not required. However, you will need to change the oil from time to time.
- Suitable for 27 Spline Axle
This locker is built for vehicles with 27 spline axles and Dana 30. If this sounds like your wrangle JK, then the Detroit Truetrac is a good option.
Verdict
With helical gear, this is one of the best lockers for Jeep. Apart from doing well off-road, it is also suitable for street driving, which makes it a more versatile option.
#4. Aussie Locker Review: XD-13027 Axle Spline Locker
If you love having fun off-road, you deserve a locker that will not disappoint. For this purpose, you might want to consider the Aussie XD-13027. This is another automatic differential locker built for a long-lasting experience.
It is one of the few options built for quality and performance, which is why it has won the heart of many jeep lovers across the globe.
- The Aussie Locker XD-13027 is the most advanced...
- Made in USA
- All Aussie Lockers are designed for installation...
- The Aussie Locker will not work in posi or limited...
- The XD13027 is NOT designed to fit the D30A...
- For 30 Splines Rear Axle
- Mechanical Locker
- Automatic Precision
- 100% Traction
- 5 pounds
- Easy to install
- Reliable quality
- 100 percent traction
- Maintenance-free
- Extremely lightweight
- Not suitable for D30A differential and limited-slip carriers
Why Choose the Aussie Locker XD-13027?
- Excellent Traction
Many differential lockers in the market can only provide 40 to 50 percent traction. However, you get up to 100 percent traction with the Aussie XD. This gives you the confidence to explore any terrain without fear of getting stuck in the middle of nowhere.
- Long-Lasting Construction
Another thing we like about this locker is its solid construction. It is built with high-quality materials, which makes it a great choice if you’re looking for something that will last you for a long time.
- Automatic
This locker operates automatically, saving you the stress of turning it on or off yourself. Thus, you can focus more on the road without any worries about the lock. Also, you will hardly find a better model in terms of precision.
- Installation
Installing this locker is not tricky. If you have decent experience installing auto parts, you shouldn’t have any issues. You will need to install them where you have the spider gears, which means the spider gears have to go first, but you can always reuse them later.
It is important to note that this doesn’t work with posi or limited slip carriers.
Verdict
Overall, this high-quality locker promises to deliver a precise transition for all your off-road adventures. However, it might take to the popping sound it produces when making turns.
#5. Detroit Locker 913A481 Truetrac Differential Locker
This is another brand that is known for producing high-quality and reliable products. The Truetrac Differential Locker is arguably their top Jeep JK product, and given how long it has been in the market, you can tell it’s a high-quality locker.
One of the significant things we love about this product is that it is fully automatic, which makes it highly accurate.
- Product Type:Auto Part
- Item Package Weight:11.748 Kilograms
- Item Package Dimension:20.3 Cm L X20.3 Cm W X22.9...
- Country Of Origin: United States
- 30 Splines Axle Size
- Limited Slip Differential
- 8 pounds
- Made in the US
- Excellent torque
- Superb handling
- Highly durable
- Quiet operation
- Difficult to install
Why Choose Truetrac 913A481?
- 100% Automatic System
As earlier indicated, one of the significant reasons Truetrac is highly in demand is that it’s fully automatic. You don’t have to worry about engaging or disengaging the locker. As a result, the locker can perform accurately since it knows when to switch on and off.
- Helical Gear Technology
It will also interest you that this locker utilizes helical gear technology, which is why it’s so popular. The gears ensure a smooth and quick transition without much noise, making it comfortable to use.
So regardless of the terrain in front of you, whether rocky or flat, you can rest assured you will have a smooth ride.
- Fairly Lightweight
This is not the lightest locker on the list, but even at 25.8 pounds, it still qualifies as a lightweight model. So it doesn’t add much to the overall weight of your vehicle.
- Set-Up
We must confess that this product is quite challenging to install, especially if you take the DIY route. It may take you up to a week to successfully set it up. We strongly advise hiring a professional to do the job for you. Even though this might come at an extra cost, it will save you time and stress and give you peace of mind.
Verdict
If your jeep JK has an axle of 30 splines and you need something light and effective, then you cannot go wrong with this locker. However, you might need to seek professional help when installing it.
How to Choose The Best Lockers for Jeep Jk?
A jeep is an automobile designed for adventurers, those who like going off-road, whether for fun or as a career.
It doesn’t mean it does not do well on-road. It is one of the best. But have you ever tried going off-road or taking a sharp corner in your jeep without lockers?
I am pretty sure the experience was horrible. To have a better experience next time, you will need to install your jeep wheels with lockers.
A locker is a manufactured spare tool aimed to lock your wheels on the same plane so that they move at similar speeds and forces.
This protects your vehicle from skidding off-road and helps negotiate a bend smoothly.
Hundreds of best lockers for the Jeep Jk are available in the market. Given that there are minor differences between the models, it becomes a headache when choosing the model that meets your needs, especially for those without prior experience.
Therefore, a single locker might not be favorable for two different people.
Below we have compiled a few factors you consider when choosing a locker for your Jeep Jk.
Automatic/ manual lockers
Automatic lockers
Automatic lockers, as the name suggests, are the type of lockers that engage themselves automatically whenever the need arises.
They do not require the manual interference of the driver. They stay engaged since the turning on of the vehicle and only disengage when navigating a sharp corner or rough road.
-
- Fast and easy installation
- Ready to use the locker
- Resistance may be experienced on sharp bends
- Can affect handling in snow
Manual lockers
On the other hand, manual lockers are dependent on the driver. They are used mainly by professional off-road drivers.
They put all the pressure on the driver as it is entirely up to him whether he needs them engaged.
-
- Once disengaged, it acts as an ordinary differential
- You get to decide when it is engaged or disengaged
- Does not affect your on-road experience once engaged
- More difficult to install
- It can cause damage to the differential if it stays engaged for too long
- You have to manually engage it
Mechanism of action
New technologies are emerging every day that are being used in the manufacture of lockers.
Generally, the lockers in the market are either open differential, limited-slip, mechanical clutch, locked differential, or helical.
The difference is in how the power is allocated, the amount of energy projected, and where it is projected to.
Open differentials allow one wheel to rotate faster or slower than the other when rotating.
This prevents your wheels from losing traction and spinning around in turns.
Limited slip differentials combine the benefits of an open and locked differential.
In case the wheels share similar traction, the limited differential change and will turn the wheels simultaneously with an equal amount of torque.
Off-road, the limited differential imposes more torque on the tire set with much traction. Limited differentials provide more traction as compared to open ones.
Durability
A locker is not an item that comes cheap. Therefore, it is not an item you plan on buying now and then.
It should be able to serve you for the longest time possible before it requires to be replaced. You, therefore, want a locker made from a durable material, one that will last long.
Besides, the material should resist the constant tear and wear caused by friction.
Ideally, it should be coated to protect it from rust, which not only interferes with the appealing appearance of the device but also renders it worthless.
Several factors play a role in how long the locker lasts. The weather is one of the determining factors.
Harsh weather conditions subject the locker to unfavorable conditions that promote it’s wearing off.
Another factor is how frequently you are off-road. Professionals who are always off-road should go for the most robust material in the market.
Compatibility
It is usual to assume that since the model of your jeep is similar to that of your neighbor, you will require the same model of the locker that fits in his car.
You will be surprised that the model that fits in his vehicle will not fit in yours. During manufacture, lockers are designed to fit specific specs.
The specs are exact for each model, and it is rare to find a locker that accommodates more than one spec.
For example, there are locker models of the Dana 30 differential that fit the Dana 30a differential, yet there are those that do not.
Car manufacturers are also different. The same car model from other manufacturers may have different specs for the locker.
The previous owner of your car may have changed the wheels, and this would bring about a discrepancy. To avoid disappointment, always ensure you countercheck the specs of your wheels.
If you are unsure, consult your mechanic or your car manual. Just do not make the mistake of assuming.
Ease of installation
There is a difference in the expertise required to install different locker models.
There are those lockers that can be installed in the comfort of your garage, while there are those that require you to visit your mechanic for them to install the locker for you.
For beginners, it can be quite a challenge to install either one. Whether doing the installation yourself or visiting your mechanic, you will need to purchase a locker that is easy to install.
One that does not require extra expertise and work during installation. This not only saves you money but also saves you time.
Automatic lockers are universally agreed to be easier to install than manual ones.
Maintenance
Maintenance always plays an essential part in owning anything in the long run.
A locker is not an item you plan to buy now and then. You plan that it should provide you with services for as long as possible.
Even so, it should not require your constant attention. Everyone is busy trying to make ends meet, leaving little time for themselves and their families, let alone time to check how their locker is doing.
Therefore, when choosing a locker, go for one that is low maintenance and one that does not require your constant attention.
For most lockers, all they require is regular cleaning and oil change for them to be in tip-top condition. Such lockers save you time, the hustle, and the cost of constantly checking up on your locker.
Choosing the most appropriate locker for your Jeep Jk is difficult. Despite this, always ensure you do market surveillance to ensure you get the best product that will suit all your needs.
Related Post:
#1.List of Essential Car Accessories for a New Car.
Aussie Locker vs Spartan Locker
Both the Aussie lockers and Spartan lockers are lunchbox-type lockers. The shape of the lockers is like a lunchbox. That’s probably the reason why we call those lunchbox lockers.
Both Aussie lockers and Spartan lockers are automatic lockers.
Aussie lockers perform pretty well both off-road and on-road driving. They are not noisy at all.
But the Spartan lockers are a tad louder around the tight corners when driving on-road.
The off-road characteristics of both these lockers are the same.
Both these lockers are installed into an open differential, and the installation process is comfortable in both cases.
The price of these two lockers is very close to each other.
The alignment pins of Spartan lockers are thicker than the Aussie lockers. This makes the Spartan ones stronger than their Aussie counterparts.
On the other hand, the Aussie lockers have more giant center section gears than the Spartan ones.
So, as you can see, these lockers share the same characteristics except for a few differences, as both are automatic lunchbox-style mechanical lockers.
Yukon Grizzly Locker vs Detroit Locker
Yukon Grizzly lockers deliver 100% traction to both tires. It is disengaged when you turn your vehicle.
As Yukon Grizzly lockers are mechanical differential lockers, and also automatic lockers, they will engage and disengage automatically.
Detroit lockers are also automatic lockers and provide 100% torque during straight-line driving, and in case of a turn, it unlocks one wheel to turn faster.
It lets the outer wheel turn faster during the turn as the outer wheel needs to cover more distance than the inner wheel during a turn.
In reality, these lockers work almost similarly as they belong to the same genre.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Question #1. What are lockers on a jeep?
Answer: Lockers are kind of a layman’s term or a general term used by the automobile industry.
Lockers are specifically one type of traction device that is highly popular amongst off-roaders.
To become an off-road hero, you have to have some traction device installed in the axle of the jeep.
Without a locker installed, the jeep gets traction with only one tire. So, when you hit the gas, only one wheel gets the traction.
But once you install a traction device or locker and hit the gas, the locker locks the axle and transfers the full torque to both wheels. This happens only for straight-line driving.
Question #2. How does a Spartan locker work?
Answer: Spartan lockers are lunchbox-style mechanical lockers, and lunchbox-style locker is automatic lockers.
The advantage of a lunchbox-style locker is you don’t have to replace the carrier. You have to replace the spider gears. The Spartan lockers also have the same characteristics.
Watch this before you buy a Lunchbox Locker!
Spartan lockers are installed into the open differential.
The locker gives 100% power to both wheels when you go straight.
When you turn, the inside wheel end of the locker will unlock. When you back to move straight, it will give 100% to both wheels again.
The alignment pins of Spartan lockers are thicker and provide enough strength.
On the downside, as the Spartan lockers are automatic, sometimes they tend to show some unexpected road-handling behaviors.
Question #3. How do Detroit lockers work?
Answer: Detroit lockers are also automatic lockers, and they are full carrier lockers.
Unlike the lunchbox-style lockers, Detroit lockers require replacing the full carrier. You have to re-set up the gears when you use this type of locker.
However, Detroit lockers are stronger than lunchbox lockers.
This type of locker gives 100% traction to the vehicles, and it keeps both wheels in driving mode.
Detroit lockers lock when you do straight-line driving. That means it delivers full driveline torque to both wheels equally. As a result of this, both wheels can provide the highest traction.
Question #4. What are locking differentials (or lockers)?
Answer: Vehicles with open differentials get stuck whenever they encounter a slippery surface because it’s impossible for both wheels on the same axle to move at the same speed.
Locking differentials were designed to solve this problem by locking both wheels and providing enough traction so the vehicle can get out of the slippery condition, whether it’s snow or mud.
Question #5. Why are lockers so important?
Answer: You need a differential locker to make it through all those rugged off-road terrains that are ordinarily difficult to maneuver. This is extremely important, or else you risk getting stuck.
Question #6. What type of locker to use? Most common choices?
Answer: There are many lockers in the market for jeeps; however, the most common choices can be categorized into automatic and selectable.
- Automatic
You may already know that automatic lockers switch on and off by themselves without any interference.
As long as the jeep is powered, the locker stays engaged but quickly disengages during a sharp turn. The major advantage is that it is less costly and very easy and fast to install. However, they tend to be noisy and offer less control.
- Selectable
Unlike automatic lockers that lock and unlock themselves, selectable lockers put you in full control of your vehicle’s locking differential as they allow you to determine how and when they are to engage or disengage. This makes them more comfortable to use. However, you might find them somewhat difficult to install.
Question #7. Does the locking differential help in snow and mud?
Answer: Definitely! They are designed for this purpose.
By locking the front or rear differential, these lockers help you to make your way out of slippery conditions. More specifically, the rear axle wheels are locked so they spin at the same speed. This ensures that more excellent traction is produced, which then helps the vehicle to get out of the mud or snow.
Question #8. Can a damaged locker be repaired?
Answer: Yes, of course. Just like any other automobile part, lockers are entirely repairable, which means you might not need to purchase a new one if the current one you have develops a fault.
Question #9. How do I know when the locker has stopped working?
Answer: When you have a locker that cannot engage or disengage anymore, it has stopped working.
Final Words
There you have it – the top five best lockers for Jeep JK.
We took time to prepare this guide so you will have an easier time finding the right locker for your vehicle.
Make sure you choose something compatible with your jeep. The product links above will lead you to their sales page, where you can find more information about each product and its suitability for your jeep.
Finally, we wish you a fun-filled experience off-road as you navigate all the obstacles. With one of these best lockers for Jeep, we have no doubt you will have a smooth ride every time.
