PowerTrax's Lock-Right install for Dana 30 front axle
by Alex M.
When on the trail it is important to have traction. One way to achieve maximum traction is a differential "locker". A locker essentially locks an axle together and allows full power to both wheels. There are many products on the market that lock your differential in different ways from selective to full time. PowerTrax offers an easy to install and affordable way to a lock your axle with their Lock-Right system. Unlike most expensive lockers that require you to replace your carrier and re-set your gears, Lock-Right replaces your spider gears inside your carrier with no special tools and no need to have your gears re-set.
The Lock-Right's operation is fully automatic. Designed to send the engine power to the wheels with the most traction, the Lock-Right will help get you where you want to go. While traveling straight the Lock-Right will lock the axles together similar to a spool. However, when the wheels need to differentiate in a turn, the Lock-Right will allow the outside wheel to rotate faster to complete the turn. The internal gears on the Lock-Right will overrun each other to allow this differentiation.
A good place to start when wanting to lock your differentials is in the rear, but since I already have a Trac-Loc in the rear I went with a Lock-Right in the front. I have a 88 Jeep Cherokee with a 97' Dana 30 up front. The installation for the Lock-Right #2210 is the same for all Dana 30s found under the fronts of CJ's, YJ's, TJ's, XJ's, MJ's, and ZJ's. I have a non-disconnect front axle which means even in 2wd both axle shafts and drive shaft are turning. I was warned that this may cause some adverse on-road effects. So far the Lock-Right is invisible on my daily driver in 2wd. But off-road in 4lo, you can defiantly tell it's there! It makes all the difference climbing on rocks or up steep inclines. The only negative thing about the Lock-Right off road is loss of some turning ability. I have to stop and do more 3 point turns now because under torque both front wheels want to go straight.