Front auto locker?

[chicago]

SOOOOO....
Pulled the rigger on the 30 spline longs.
I called today (Sunday) to order them and talked to Bobby and Mrs. Long while they were stacking fire wood...not what I expected to happen.
Anyway... My question I was wondering. Without the hydro mod, you dont think Id burn the steering box out if I were to throw the Aussie in, do you (all)?
My primary concern at this point in time is doing the Rubicon. After that trip, Ill have more time to plan and prep for the ram, but right now with it being a month away, I just dont think Ill have the time to pull it all together. Should I just forget the locker at this point and run without it?
Steering is a PREMIUM on that trail in a wagon. With that in mind, it'd probably be better to run it open diff? Id hate to burn out the steering in the middle of that trail.
Very excited about the Longs...One less thing to worrie about!

Chicago

 

[Wile E Coyote]

I need to back up, here.
I think that not having hydro steering is not a deal breaker. You'll steer fine in the loose stuff, it'll only get tough while on the bigger rocks or really hardpacked/high traction stretches. Also, in a reasonably healthy rig, nothing will grenade first time outta the parking lot, either. I think my earlier babblings were misleading, bro. I was thinking on a more 'while yer in there' level for longevity in a wheeler like you seem to use it. Not a 'gotta hydro or don't bother' level.
A DD or soft-wheeler would not stress the steering as much, nor would a locked front end be as noticeable. For the amt of work required to pull the shafts to stab in the Aussie, I'd do it along the the Longs ( Did I add that I'm jealous, fawker!).
If ya can pull off the 2lo mod, that'd help steering w/ the auto locker, and avoid the potential suckage of getting out and unlocking one hub a hundred friggin times. That's a good way to bust a hub/inner axle.

The 2lo mod in a 62 is not as easy as a 60, but if ya switch out the 62 linkage for 60 linkage, it'll work, or so I remember reading. Anyone wanna add to/confirm this statement?


Edit: Just found your post regarding 2lo mod right after posting this.
Overhanger's idea sounds very plausible, and uber elegant:
"You might try disconnecting the Transfer L4 switch. There are two switches that screw into the t-case with connectors near them on the rear passenger side of the t-case and I think it is the one rearmost of the two. Then put the t-case in low range and see if the 4WD light on the dash turns on. If not, then push the 4WD button that would normally only be needed to engage 4WD in high range and see if the light comes on. That should do what you want. I haven't done it this way but when my truck's Transfer low switch was bad 2LO is what I had and to have 4LO the dash switch had to be engaged."

 

[Mace]

You will be fine, if it maxes out your stock pump, back off a bit. No harm done..

THe main problem will be a slight annoyance in not being able to occasionally steer. NBD.

the benefits of the front locker seriously outweigh the problems.

 

[chicago]

You will be fine, if it maxes out your stock pump, back off a bit. No harm done..

THe main problem will be a slight annoyance in not being able to occasionally steer. NBD.

the benefits of the front locker seriously outweigh the problems.

So with the hydro addition, what changes need to be made to the pump itself?
When i read your write up, someone eluded to changes that needed to be made for it to run.
If I do order an aussie, what spare parts should I consider bringing? In otherwords, what is most like to fail under the added stress with a front auto locker in? I have a full set of knuckle studs en route from Marlin...New Hydraulic lines? Additional power steering fluid?

Thanks for the help gents

Chicago

 

[Mace]

no changes need to be made.

The internal tweaks are outlined by Matt at powersteering

I know you do not have a sag pump currently but the basic mods are the same.

knuckle studs are one of the weak points. But you are addressing them. It is more of a mainteneance thing instead of a replacement thing. Make sure the studs are tight. Torque them every day (you should with a SO anyway.


Hydro does not really put any more pressure on your stock lines. They should be good.

PS fluid should be in your parts bin anyway


BTW, the steering pump mods can be done regardless of hydro assist or not.

My 60 has no ram but the pump has been modded...

 

[CruisinFJ60]

running a PS cooler with the ram could help some in the long run and will give some added capacity of fluid... maybe drill the restrictor plate on the PS pump to give it some extra flow.
but really those are both optional.

 

[chicago]

I DID IT!!!
My front Aussie is on its way!
Ill report up in THIS thread the results of the install, and how it handles for me.
Ill probably do the hydro later as there is just NO TIME to do it for the Rubicon, but hopefully it will help on the run regardless.
Now I gotta sit and wait for all the parts to come together.

CANT WAIT to try it all out.
All this for a ******* inner axel seal replacement.....



Chicago

 

[Mace]

Amazing how it snowballs huh

 

[chicago]

Amazing how it snowballs huh

UNBELIEVEABLE!
This is a VERY UNLIKELY addiction to say the least. One that can not easily be understood, or articulated to someone who cannot relate.
However, there is just something about going .2 MPH over an obstacle where your butt is grabbing seat, your heart is racing and hands are shaking in BEAUTIFUL country that less than 1% of the population will EVER see, in an automobile that you YOURSELF built up to accomplish this task....AMAZING! That is just the tip of the ice berg. Then there is the community that you wheel with that shares this ADDICTION.
Yeulp...its amazing how it snowballs!

Or...I could be spending all my hard earned money in a bar somewhere, getting fat, watching overpaid atheletes on TV...

Chicago

 

[agent orange]

The UN-limited slips I've seen require you to work the brake to transfer power. They just seem to require a lot of extra work on the part of the driver for mediocre results at best.

My old school torsen lsd does a really good job on my truck, there are very few situations where all 4 wheels dont pull, and with the auto it is no biggie to feed in a little brake. I would advise you have longs first unless you feel like breaking birfs though, since you are adding even more stress on the axles.