Regearing '21 Sport - Front and rear lockers too?

[GoinRogueOne]

Had my '21 Sport for a couple years now, but it's my first Jeep and still navigating necessities vs. nice to haves as I open my wallet for more upgrades/mods. Currently it's on a JTR take-off suspension with Falken WildPeak AT3 35s and a 6MT which means it's a dog to get moving with 3.73s with the larger tires and extra rotational mass.

So, I pulled the trigger on a set of Spicer 5.13s this week and am now looking at lockers since it'll have to be apart soon anyway. I know 5.13s are a bit steep, but the goal is a 3.5-4.5" lift and 37-38s not long after the regearing and these 3.6s seem to beg for RPMs to provide any real power. I welcome any recommendations on lift kits or parts for a custom lift since I'm sure I'll be ordering something in the next 6 months or so, depending on when the gears arrive and get installed.

So, first question, how useful will it be to have front and rear lockers on a rig that will see mostly Florida trails with the occasional trip to areas like TN, NC, TX and perhaps UT to ride some different trails? Mainly looking for pros and cons to installing both front and rear lockers to justify the expense for both or go the single locker route and save a few bucks towards the lift, bigger tires, etc.

Second question open for discussion, does anyone have experience with OX lockers using electric actuation for shifting? I have a Voswitch aux panel already, so trying to avoid adding a compressor to go the air actuation route for what it's worth and have plenty of open switches. I've also been looking at Eaton e-lockers but am heavily leaning toward the OX lockers for the ability to manually lock if needed and overall pricing, though that may balance out some with the install cost. Any downsides to OX lockers that I may be missing here? Trying to spend money as effectively as possible so that I am able to tackle more than just the Florida mud holes!

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[Not2Late]

Nice Jeep! I love those wheels. And the Wildpeaks (in my opinion) are great all-around tires that can do some decent trail work as well.

I'll let the more technical experts on this forum weigh in on which locker(s), what goes with what, gear set, pinions, splines, axles, etc. But I will offer my thoughts on lockers in general. I've owned two JKs and a JT over the years. The Mojave I have now has a rear locker and haven't needed to use it yet. I bought the Mojave for other reasons. Each of the JKs had the clutch pack "limited slip" factory rear end. For the type of wheeling I did and still do, lockers were not needed. In fact, I got a lot of real world (everyday) use out of the limited slip rears in the JKs: snow, wet, gravel roads. Things a locked axle could actually make worse. And everyday without the lockers engaged, you are basically running open diffs (although with Brake Lock Differentials, which is nice). Lockers may not be worth it to you if you don't need them. It is tempting though, since you'll have the differentials open anyway. But, as you mused, you may be able to put that money towards the lift/tires

I think it all boils down to how you intend to wheel. If the trails in the areas you mentioned need lockers, than it may be worth it. If it is mostly moderate stuff (no mud, wheels rarely off the ground/hanging in the air), then the JT/JK platform is very capable in stock form. I think the lift, good tires, re-gear to get your power back, and driver technique/skill can get you a very long way.

Have you thought about putting in a gear-style (not clutch) limited slip in the rear? Something like the Eaton Detroit TrueTrack. That's on my list for my JK when the clutches in the rear differential finally wear out. Just an option/suggestion if you decide to not do lockers. Throw one of those in the back and I think it would be great for your use.

 

[Pescatoral Pursuit]

So, first question, how useful will it be to have front and rear lockers on a rig that will see mostly Florida trails

As a fellow Florida trail rider I can say that tires, lift, and a good winch are likely as much or possibly more necessary than lockers. Where your at I would consider budgeting a snorkel too.
It's hard to say if lockers have kept me from otherwise getting stuck. I can't recall a time when I've gotten stuck, then turned the lockers on and got out. If I see a place where I think I'll need them, I turn them on, so it's hard to tell how much they make a difference.
I've been stuck 3 times. Once on a sand hill, once on a clay dip, and once in a mud hole when I got hung up on a submerged log. On the 1st and 3rd I had the lockers on going in. On the 2nd I turned them on when I realized I was in trouble. The first one I had factory falken 33" A/Ts, the other 2 were with 37" KO2s. The first one I dug myself out of, (keeping a small shovel in the bed is very helpful,) and the other 2 I winched out no problem.
I think it's possible if not likely I wouldn'tve gotten stuck at all if I had M/Ts in all those instances.
I will say this- when I get off the blacktop first thing I do is lock the rear diff in 2H. If I see something that looks a little tricky (shallow mud, soft sand) I throw it into "Mojave Mode" which is 4H with the rear locked. If I see something really suspicious and no fresh tire tracks coming out the other side, both diffs get locked.
This is all on A/Ts. I just bought some M/Ts and am eager to see the difference. Truck has a 3.5" lift in the pics.

the Wildpeaks (in my opinion) are great all-around tires that can do some decent trail work as well.

I have found the Wildpeak A/Ts not a good tire for loose dirt, mud and sand, especially sand which we have a lot of. Instead of Wildpeaks they should be called badgers because they really like to dig right down.
In contrast, I don't even air down my KO2s in the sugariest of sand and they float right over (with lockers on.)

 

[G0to60]

First off I think 5.13 gears are just about perfect for the manual transmission with 35s or larger tires. The gear spread in the manual transmission is so damn tall that you'll be just fine with 5.13s. I have a manual Rubicon and with 35s it's just a little short in the first three gears but when I put on 37s it is perfect. In my opinion Jeep should have put in at least 4.56 gears from the factor on all manual transmission Wranglers and Gladiators. Also, you should look to upgrade the clutch. The stock clutch is a soft and vague set up that has zero feel. A new clutch from Center Force or XClutch (if they have released theirs in the US, I have one of the prototypes in mine) is a must for better pedal feel and engagement.

As for lockers, it's a tough call. My wife's past JKU had a Tru-Trac limited slip in the back with 4.88 gears. It wasn't a rock crawler but did well on the trails here in the PNW. BUT she now has a JL Rubicon and I have a Rubicon Gladiator and the lockers have been a welcome plus. Granted we are doing harder trails now but we are able to do those trails now. Basically it comes down to money. If the cost is roughly the same I say go with at least a rear locker (that's what we use the vast majority of the time) over an LSD. In my opinion, a really good set up is a locker in the rear and an LSD in the front. Get a gear based LSD and you don't need to worry about doing anything with that and can focus on activating the rear when you need it.

 

[cranbiz]

Trails in FL, lockers are nice but not really necessary. GA, TN and NC, lockers are really helpful as those areas have a mix of mud and rock. For Windrock and AOP, I would consider having lockers almost a necessity unless you are sticking to gravel trails.

 

[TXJeepDad]

Did you end up going w lockers on your build ?
I already have 5.13s, but for rock crawling I'm doing, lockers are a must. Curious what route you went if you did ad them

 

[mrmo]

Im using 4.10s w LSD in rear and electric op locker in the front, to help pull up over rocks and outta mud. LSD has worked well so far

 

[GoinRogueOne]

Did you end up going w lockers on your build ?
I already have 5.13s, but for rock crawling I'm doing, lockers are a must. Curious what route you went if you did ad them

Just dropped it off at the shop today for the gears and both lockers. Figured it was worth doing while the differentials are opened, especially with the deal I got on them. Went with OX lockers and electronic actuators which will be controlled by a VOswitch that I installed last weekend.
Hopefully get the Jeep back in a few days and report back after the break in is done.

 

[Panthers65]

Just dropped it off at the shop today for the gears and both lockers. Figured it was worth doing while the differentials are opened, especially with the deal I got on them. Went with OX lockers and electronic actuators which will be controlled by a VOswitch that I installed last weekend.
Hopefully get the Jeep back in a few days and report back after the break in is done.

You won't regret it, lockers will absolutely pull you through things that larger tires just couldn't.

I have a sport S Max Tow, so it already had the L/S in the rear. I opted for just an eaton up front when I put my 5.13's in. Open DIffs inherently send power to the path of least resistance, which would be the tire with the least amount of traction. Exactly what you don't want in a low-traction situation.

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