AMC 20 LOCKER Choice
AMC 20 LOCKER Choice
- Thread starter Tectron
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j6824
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- '78 CJ5, 258, D30, AMC 20, 3.54, T150, 33s, Sniper EFI, 4"BDS, 1" M.O.R.E. body, Team Rush, MDS 6A, BDO tie rod flip, Adams shafts, Speedhut gauges, 8274
Would really depend on what you want out of your rig...
Busa Dave put together a sticky on lockers that is definitely a must read if you haven't already:
https://www.jeep-cj.com/forums/f105/lockers-limited-slip-differentials-12434/index2.html#post101728
If you're in serious need of a locker...and you're dead set on keeping the 20...you might want to look into a truss and welding up the tubes prior to/along with...not to mention one-piece shafts...
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Tectron
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- 1980 CJ7, T176 Trans, 304 CID, 300 tc, Summit HEI Dist, Edelbrock intake, carb and cam, stock diffs 4.56 gears with Front and rear lockrites, Family Cage, 15x10x12.5 BFG MT's, 4" lift.
It's got the 1 piece shafts in it. And right now I don't know how the 20 is set up, its at a jeep shop getting the front diff done as the PO did it all wrong. Ill find out on monday what the rear 20 has in it, it spins both wheels but still not sure what's in it, I know the PO put 4.56 gears in it, and hopefully in both diffs
But I like the idea of running the rear selectably. Front is a lock right.
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- '85 CJ-7, 258/4.2L 6cyl. Bought new in 1985. Full cage, Warn 8274 winch, Ford 9" rear, front/rear Detroit Lockers w/4:88 R&P. T-5 tranny and 4:1 t'case. 33X12.50-15 BFG/AT, MSD ign, on board air---
Are you talking about a DL type of locker or a LSD.
I sure hope you plan to go to Moser 1 piece axles. Most others are China made.
Lock right in the front is good.
LG
I sure hope you plan to go to Moser 1 piece axles. Most others are China made.
Lock right in the front is good.
LG
Tectron
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- 1980 CJ7, T176 Trans, 304 CID, 300 tc, Summit HEI Dist, Edelbrock intake, carb and cam, stock diffs 4.56 gears with Front and rear lockrites, Family Cage, 15x10x12.5 BFG MT's, 4" lift.
It has the one piece axles in it, not sure on the brand. Im looking for a locker that gives me the best of both worlds, off and on road.
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- Springfield, Missouri-U.S.A. Earth
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- '85 CJ-7, 258/4.2L 6cyl. Bought new in 1985. Full cage, Warn 8274 winch, Ford 9" rear, front/rear Detroit Lockers w/4:88 R&P. T-5 tranny and 4:1 t'case. 33X12.50-15 BFG/AT, MSD ign, on board air---
Since you say locker-and not LSD(Limited slip diff).
Go with a Detroit Locker. There are the KISS of all locking diffs.
LG
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- '76 CJ5, 351w, Ford T18/D20, D44 (open), D30 (open), 2.5" BDS spring lift, 31x10.5x15 tires
I agree with LG...
It'll just take some getting used to driving it on the road. If you know what to expect out of it, then it's nothing to worry about.
If you want your CJ to ride like it does with an open diff when you drive on pavement, then you'll want some sort of selectable locker. E-locker, cable, or air locker. There's definitely a trade-off with complexity with selectable lockers, but it just depends on what you want out of it...and how much you want to pay$$$.
Tectron
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- 1980 CJ7, T176 Trans, 304 CID, 300 tc, Summit HEI Dist, Edelbrock intake, carb and cam, stock diffs 4.56 gears with Front and rear lockrites, Family Cage, 15x10x12.5 BFG MT's, 4" lift.
Didn't know you were a poet
So to get both of of 2 worlds, Posi off road and good highway rollin, what is best choice ?
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- Springfield, Missouri-U.S.A. Earth
- Vehicle(s)
- '85 CJ-7, 258/4.2L 6cyl. Bought new in 1985. Full cage, Warn 8274 winch, Ford 9" rear, front/rear Detroit Lockers w/4:88 R&P. T-5 tranny and 4:1 t'case. 33X12.50-15 BFG/AT, MSD ign, on board air---
Didn't know you were a poet
I didn't know it-:laugh::laugh:
I run DL's in the front and rear and have done so for 25+ yrs.
My CJ is also my DD.
LG
Tectron
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- Heber, AZ
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- 1980 CJ7, T176 Trans, 304 CID, 300 tc, Summit HEI Dist, Edelbrock intake, carb and cam, stock diffs 4.56 gears with Front and rear lockrites, Family Cage, 15x10x12.5 BFG MT's, 4" lift.
Didn't see this until I posted, I think if the diff isn't locked right now (i'm not sure whats in it right now) I may go with selectable. What would be the down side of going that way if any ?
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- 43
- Location
- Springfield, Missouri-U.S.A. Earth
- Vehicle(s)
- '85 CJ-7, 258/4.2L 6cyl. Bought new in 1985. Full cage, Warn 8274 winch, Ford 9" rear, front/rear Detroit Lockers w/4:88 R&P. T-5 tranny and 4:1 t'case. 33X12.50-15 BFG/AT, MSD ign, on board air---
Reliability-
I post my remarks with 50+ years background, in R&P work(retired now).
I stopped installing ARB brand because of ongoing leakage issues.
I recommend DL, as the are the KISS, strong and work every time without any secondary junk that can/will fail when you need it the most.
I do not suggest a DL in snow-country.
LG
Tectron
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- Heber, AZ
- Vehicle(s)
- 1980 CJ7, T176 Trans, 304 CID, 300 tc, Summit HEI Dist, Edelbrock intake, carb and cam, stock diffs 4.56 gears with Front and rear lockrites, Family Cage, 15x10x12.5 BFG MT's, 4" lift.
Reliability-
I post my remarks with 50+ years background, in R&P work(retired now).
I stopped installing ARB brand because of ongoing leakage issues.
I recommend DL, as the are the KISS, strong and work every time without any secondary junk that can/will fail when you need it the most.
I do not suggest a DL in snow-country.
LG
So selectable DL or Non ?
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- Springfield, Missouri-U.S.A. Earth
- Vehicle(s)
- '85 CJ-7, 258/4.2L 6cyl. Bought new in 1985. Full cage, Warn 8274 winch, Ford 9" rear, front/rear Detroit Lockers w/4:88 R&P. T-5 tranny and 4:1 t'case. 33X12.50-15 BFG/AT, MSD ign, on board air---
Non.........
LG
LG
Tectron
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- Heber, AZ
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- 1980 CJ7, T176 Trans, 304 CID, 300 tc, Summit HEI Dist, Edelbrock intake, carb and cam, stock diffs 4.56 gears with Front and rear lockrites, Family Cage, 15x10x12.5 BFG MT's, 4" lift.
Non.........
LG
K, just 1 issue I see on that for me, I do live in snow country, but I really don't plan on using the CJ in the winter so I may just go with your suggestion, Thanks for you input for sure.
- Posts
- 14,772
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- 43
- Location
- Springfield, Missouri-U.S.A. Earth
- Vehicle(s)
- '85 CJ-7, 258/4.2L 6cyl. Bought new in 1985. Full cage, Warn 8274 winch, Ford 9" rear, front/rear Detroit Lockers w/4:88 R&P. T-5 tranny and 4:1 t'case. 33X12.50-15 BFG/AT, MSD ign, on board air---
I have had mine in snow(see the picture to the left)with no issues.
Road ice patches can be tricky-
Do truss and weld your axle tubes.
LG
Road ice patches can be tricky-
Do truss and weld your axle tubes.
LG
Tectron
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- Heber, AZ
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- 1980 CJ7, T176 Trans, 304 CID, 300 tc, Summit HEI Dist, Edelbrock intake, carb and cam, stock diffs 4.56 gears with Front and rear lockrites, Family Cage, 15x10x12.5 BFG MT's, 4" lift.
I have heard both ways on the axle tubes, weld and truss and not, if I do those it will have to wait as Im getting to a point were I need to not spend all my kids inheritance.
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- 43
- Location
- Springfield, Missouri-U.S.A. Earth
- Vehicle(s)
- '85 CJ-7, 258/4.2L 6cyl. Bought new in 1985. Full cage, Warn 8274 winch, Ford 9" rear, front/rear Detroit Lockers w/4:88 R&P. T-5 tranny and 4:1 t'case. 33X12.50-15 BFG/AT, MSD ign, on board air---
The downside of the loc-rite is the carrier is not really built for that stress.
I would for sure weld the tubes-That can save your entire axle.
It's a 'skip' weld where the tube is pressed into the diff housing.
What size tires will you run?
LG
I would for sure weld the tubes-That can save your entire axle.
It's a 'skip' weld where the tube is pressed into the diff housing.
What size tires will you run?
LG
Last edited:
Tectron
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- Heber, AZ
- Vehicle(s)
- 1980 CJ7, T176 Trans, 304 CID, 300 tc, Summit HEI Dist, Edelbrock intake, carb and cam, stock diffs 4.56 gears with Front and rear lockrites, Family Cage, 15x10x12.5 BFG MT's, 4" lift.
Im set up with the same tires as you, and I think the tubes are welded, I know the front is for sure, need to check the 20 tho.