I thought I would post on here to share my experience with a rear spartan locker. Bought it around Thanksgiving and installed it in my garage in an afternoon. Went in easily. Since then I’ve driven about 5k miles. It does great and has no handling affects whatsoever. My cruiser is a 95 with 35” cooper STT pros and gets driven all over the southeast for work. Anyway, for what it’s worth, I recommend the Spartan. Way cheaper than an electric or air alternative and does the job just fine.
Spartan Locker (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter mbuck
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Agreed, I put a Spartan in our 80 several years ago and it's been excellent.
My only complaint is one that applies to all lunchbox lockers I believe. If I give it just the right combination of gas, brakes and turn the wheel slightly, it'll make a loud BANG noise and the back end jumps around.
Still works just fine though.
My only complaint is one that applies to all lunchbox lockers I believe. If I give it just the right combination of gas, brakes and turn the wheel slightly, it'll make a loud BANG noise and the back end jumps around.
Still works just fine though.
If you've experienced any snow recently, how did it handle in that?
My biggest concern is somethin like the back end jumping into another car while backing out of an icy parking spot.
Jeep guys talk about stuff like that, but we have much longer wheelbases I think.
My biggest concern is somethin like the back end jumping into another car while backing out of an icy parking spot.
Jeep guys talk about stuff like that, but we have much longer wheelbases I think.
Icy conditions shouldn’t be a problem. The locker will stay locked because of the ice and everything should be nice and consistent. I never had any odd behavior on snow and ice.
It’s more accurate to think of these lunchbox units as auto-UNlockers. The way they work is staying locked until the difference in speed in a turn allows one side to disengage. That only happens when there is traction.
That's what I'm concerned about, is if it stays locked in an icy, low traction, parking lot and makes the back end lose grip and slide if I try to turn.
Or do this "BANG" thing that would break the rear free and cause it to start sliding. Still not sure what that is, Jeep people say it happens when they turn while backing out of parking spots.
(I go up to the mountains every year and I've witnessed cars sliding down the parking lot with all wheels locked plenty of times. All it takes is a nudge and it's hard to get traction back)
At the same time, looking at the gas bill makes me realize how "little" an airlocker costs.
Or do this "BANG" thing that would break the rear free and cause it to start sliding. Still not sure what that is, Jeep people say it happens when they turn while backing out of parking spots.
(I go up to the mountains every year and I've witnessed cars sliding down the parking lot with all wheels locked plenty of times. All it takes is a nudge and it's hard to get traction back)
At the same time, looking at the gas bill makes me realize how "little" an airlocker costs.
Another thing to consider with the handling of the auto locker is that the 80 is full time 4wd. It will handle very differently than a rear wheel driven truck with an auto locker. I haven’t experienced any snow or ice issues with it. As @flintknapper mentioned, push is more of an issue when in low range with the CDL locked and trying to make a tight turn when I first installed my aussie. But now that I’m used to how it performs I hardly notice it.
I’ve had mine in a little longer than a week now and I’m happy with it. I took it to a parking lot and turned it as sharply as I could left and right several times and there was zero binding. Apparently when the center dif is unlocked the power is sent to the front driveshaft/axle - which is open diff in my 80 - so the rear just clicks/ratchets along with no problems at all.
While off-road in high range (center diff unlocked) I had “one wheel drive” due to the above described effect as just one of my front wheels was spinning while on a slippery hill. So in the snow this may be a problem but nothing shifting into low (or engaging center diff lock) wouldn’t remedy.
While off-road in high range (center diff unlocked) I had “one wheel drive” due to the above described effect as just one of my front wheels was spinning while on a slippery hill. So in the snow this may be a problem but nothing shifting into low (or engaging center diff lock) wouldn’t remedy.
Since there is almost always a difference in wheel speed, no matter how slight, a more accurate view of how they work is that 99% of the time, one wheel is driving and the other wheel is ratcheting as long as both wheels have traction. When one wheel slips, both wheels are locked and turn at the same speed, but when the wheel regains traction, one wheel will turn faster and the coupler will lose contact with the center pin and start its ratcheting cycle.
They swap drive sides when you go from accelerate to coast and visa versa.
Spartan lockers are great when installed properly.fitted mine to 1991 diff carrier .had worn side gear holes in carrier .remedy this .drives ,turns,without banging people talk off .dont just check the one measurement you get in instructions.look closely for worn carrier.so locker teeth are held squarely to each other .i barely know it’s in my truck until I stomp on gas and leave even black lines .
Haven't used the Spartan, but I can report the same satisfaction from Lockright and Aussie. Lunchbox lockers FTW 
I like selectable lockers, and I'm glad I have the e-lockers, but if I didn't, I wouldn't sweat it.
I like selectable lockers, and I'm glad I have the e-lockers, but if I didn't, I wouldn't sweat it.
I'm running Spartans front and rear and love them. I get a pop every now and then from the rear when its bound up in a parking lot or something, but they always work as they should and are cheap and easy to install at home. I've been using them in various vehicles over the years, including Volvo 240! I've had no issues whatsoever.
Was this you? 
You run one in the front? Have you converted to part-time 4WD?
Yes i have
Was this you?
Haha no. I did run it in a Gambler 500 though. It did great! Lifted and locked on mud tires. It was a tank!
