Transfer case

[curtis]

Has anyone put a nv241or transfer case in a liberty? Also what is likely to break if you put a locker in stock front differential?

 

[renegade 04]

If you put a locker in the front differential the differential case itself will crack because it is aluminum which is a soft metal.

 

[nullptr]

Is that actually true, though? I thought it was the sudden transfer of torque from side-to-side that would break the front. Like, for instance, when one wheel is spinning and suddenly gets traction, like it does in an open diff. I want to say I remember reading that putting a locker would actually make the diff less likely to grenade.

 

[TwoBobsKJ]

Is that actually true, though? I thought it was the sudden transfer of torque from side-to-side that would break the front. Like, for instance, when one wheel is spinning and suddenly gets traction, like it does in an open diff. I want to say I remember reading that putting a locker would actually make the diff less likely to grenade.

^^^That^^^^

Blown front diffs are almost always a result of sudden increases in traction. A (proper) locker will help avoid the "grenading" of the aluminum front diff.

The best locker option is a selectable locker like an air-actuated ARB or e-locker from Eaton. Engage it when you need it, disengage it when you don't.

A lunchbox locker like Lok-Rite, PowerTrax, Aussie, etc. will NOT work on the front diff with a 242 or full time SelecTrac transfer case. You could put one of those lockers in the Liberty's front diff if you have a CommandTrac or part time T-case but I would think the potential for binding would be more of a hassle than it's worth. Those lunchbox lockers will work in the rear diff though.

Bob

 

[tommudd]

If you put a locker in the front differential the differential case itself will crack because it is aluminum which is a soft metal.

Wrong
If you install a locker in the front it will actually help the front diff from exploding when you start spinning and suddenly catches

 

[curtis]

Plan is to put Detroit locker in front with the nv241 transfer case (4 to 1 ). -opinions.

 

[CalcityRenegade]

What transfer case and transmission do you have? Do you have a NP231 T-Case? Why do you want to change? For the range?

 

[curtis]

Np231 low gear is 2.72 and the nv241 is 4.1 which is a big difference.trans is 42led.

 

[Kj/toy]

Np231 low gear is 2.72 and the nv241 is 4.1 which is a big difference.trans is 42led.

I just had a terra-flex 4:1 put in the 231. Same thing ain't it?

 

[curtis]

Yes same ratio. So how is it working to for you?

 

[Kj/toy]

Np231 low gear is 2.72 and the nv241 is 4.1 which is a big difference.trans is 42led.

I just had a terra-flex 4:1 put in the 231. Same thing ain't it?

 

[u2slow]

Also what is likely to break if you put a locker in stock front differential?

Powertrax in the front here... over 40,000km and no breakage. It does add some quirks - only in 4wd mind you - but at the same time has traversed a few hundred km's of snowy highway in the rockies without incident. (2wd in snow had incidents though...)

Regrettably, I'll likely have to remove it for the NP242 (select-trac) swap I want to do.

 

[TwoBobsKJ]

Powertrax in the front here...

Regrettably, I'll likely have to remove it for the NP242 (select-trac) swap I want to do.

Yep, definitely won't work to have the Powertrax in with the NP242 - the differential in that T-case and the locker in front won't like each other :blah:

Bob

 

[u2slow]

Yep, definitely won't work to have the Powertrax in with the NP242 - the differential in that T-case and the locker in front won't like each other :blah:

Lots of gossip over why not, but who has actually tried and reported back? Found one thread on NAXJA where somebody has. Says a front locker is more manageable in fulltime mode than part-time.
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