I was recently contacted by Bill Cole, the owner of Aussie Locker to do a test install
on a new locker he had coming to market. The locker fits the new JK Wrangler 2007-2009.
This is not the first test that I have done for Aussie but it is the first automatic locker available
for the front axle in a JK. The Dana 30 axle in the JK is a “next generation” axle.
There are small differences in the size and design of some of the internals. A regular Dana 30 locker
will fit inside the carrier, the spacing will not be correct and the locker will not function properly.
The test subject is a 2007 2-door JK Wrangler. It is has 4.10 gears in the axle so the
carrier had to come out.
As you can see the tie rod does not have to be removed to take the carrier out like id does on a TJ XJ or ZJ.
Another thing I noticed is the shims are on the outside of the bearings instead of under them.
I took the ring gear off the carrier so that the cross shaft would come out. You need a punch to get the roll
pin out that holds the cross shaft in.
Next I removed the spider and side gears from the carrier. And installed the new axle gears and spacers.
I put the cross shaft back in and measured the spacing.
The measurements we perfect. So we kept on working.I assembled the rest of the locker and measured the gap. Again a perfect measurement.
With all the measurements well within spec, I re-assemble the front axle.
Then out for a test drive. It handle perfectly on the road. The locker stayed un locked in 2wd.
COrnering was smooth with little to no noise from the locker. In 4wd the locker worked as it should.
It climbed by mounds of dirt easily without spinning a tire.
The Aussie has been in the JK for a month now and the owner has driven it daily without any problems or complaints.
This locker fits and works like all other Aussies, perfectly.
Hi there,
My name is Chad Swift and I am the Associate Producer of a show coming out on the DIY network called “Disaster House.” The premise of our show is we recreate accidental or natural home disasters to a house my production company has purchased here in Denver, Colorado. We then bring in construction experts who show or viewers the best way to repair the damage. I am currently searching for cover photos for one of our episodes in which we simulated a snow covered roof collapse. I saw photos of your jeep shop, and I was wondering if you would be interested in having those photos aired on national television. Please contact me and let me know.
Chad Swift
DIY’s “Disaster House”
303-712-3267
cswift@highnoonentertainment.com
Comment by Chad Swift — October 6, 2009 @ 1:16 pm