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Topic: Flat Towing w/Front Locker

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LEAD_NOT_FOLLOW
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Flat Towing w/Front Locker
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As many of you know we often Flat Tow the MJ when we go wheeling. This has worked great for us in the past for the most part and we'll most likely continue to go this route.

I have been itching to go out and wheel a bit more and want to do a few more things to my MJ before I go out again. The biggest thing is install the Aussie I have for the D30. I need to regear the D30 to match the new rear axle I swapped in and now is the time to just intsall the locker as well.

My questions is this;

Can/Should I still flat tow the MJ with an auto-locker in the front? Theory says it won't matter that the locker is in it; however I am concerned with the turning as one tire spins faster than the other while making a turn. The locker "shouldn't" engage since power is not being applied; but what if it does engage?

Anyone have any insight on this? I am not looking for responces like "just put it on a trailer"; or similar. I simply want to know what I should expect with flat towing a MJ on 35" tires with an Aussie locker in the front.

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90XJkid
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My guess is that when/if it engages the inside tire will chirp and possibly cause the MJ to jerk. Sounds like a sketchy situation. Although maybe there is nothing to worry about. Might as well test it around the house before a long trip.

Did a lil googling:
Its been done successfully before with front aussie, but I also read of some troubles people had. Some related to the locker and others not.

You probably have Aussie's number. You might give them a call.

Is the car dolly your totaled grey XJ was on yours?

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aci4369
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Just put it on a trailer....











biggrin

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ChevelleSSLS6
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Try it really slow in a residential area/parking lot/not busy road and see if you have tire chirping and other issues.

Then go from there.

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90XJkid
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Look at me trying to contribute to tech with a guess(above post)...disbelief

Now I have some facts. My buddy with a YJ and an Aussie in the front tried to flat tow this evening. The Jeep did not want to follow his truck for anything. I did some(ok ALOT) of googling and found that disconnecting the drive shafts can solve this. Called him and asked him to take off the front and rear shafts. What do you know? the Jeep follows beautifully now!!

Not sure if removing the front and leaving the rear would work, just told him to do what I read. We will likely test leaving the rear shaft this weekend.



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ChevelleSSLS6
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In regards to removing the driveshafts...

removing the driveshafts does not take long. Use a hose clamp to keep the u-joint caps in place and bring a baggie/cool whip dish (and lid!) for the yoke hardware.

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My Fleet
1996 XJ "Snowball"- 3.5" lift, bunch of little mods.  I hate pegleg rear axles!
1974 AMC Javelin "Jade Grenade"- 360v8, 4sp, green inside and out. Underfunded Project.
2009 Kawsaki Vulan 900 "Rocket III"- Summer DD
 
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