Jump to content

Chrysler 8.25 Locker


Recommended Posts

The 8.25 in the Ape is welded. Not crazy about it, but it's there. Drove it around town a little bit and today was really the first time I've driven it on fairly clean roads... and it sounded like an episode of CHiPs! I'll soon be putting a set of good tires under it and I hate the thought of expensive tires wearing faster than they need to. I know... I know... they're going to wear faster while slipping around on rocks, but still... So to recap from the build thread, it's got a Chrysler 8.25 with 4.56 gears. Not sure if the spider gears are welded to the carrier or not... haven't popped the cover off yet to do any investigative surgery. What I'd like to think is that I'll be able to just pull the axles and pull the spiders out to be replaced with a locker. Then comes in my predicament...

 

I've got a friend with another 8.25 with a known good locker in it and wants a decent enough price on the entire axle. I figure I'd be able to use the locker and also have a good set of spare shafts. Problem is that his axle has 4.10s otherwise I'd just swap the whole assembly. I've looked around online and while there's all sorts of information on installing them, I haven't found anything on removing them. Is it even possible without destroying anything?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I would go with a lokka locker. That will be what goes in my XJ C8,25 when I can afford it, unless I hit the jackpot and selectable locker will be there. 

I've never spent more than 80$ for a C8.25, geared or factory gearing. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Just my opinion based on my research & experience with Lokka:

 

Gear to Goannawhere/Lokka made the original Aussie in Australia using Australian steel and under license for a U.S. company called TorqMasters. It developed a good rep. Lokka then changed to Chinese steel and the failure rate increased. They then sent production to China and the failure rate sky-rocketed. TorqMasters ended the contract with Lokka and moved production to the US and now uses US sourced steel. They also refined some of the designs.

 

Lokka now sells the early Aussie design as a Lokka. But they are very misleading. They tout "Australian design" and other crap and make it hard to discover that they are made in China with Chinese metal. Maybe it is just me that thinks they are being deceptive but note what they actually say and do not say in their ad: All development and manufacturing design of the key components has always been performed in Australia.  Although I understand that their most popular Toyota locker is still made in Australia ( but of Chinese steel) the majority are made in China despite the impression the ad wants to leave you with.  

 

I had an Aussie made by Lokka but made after the switch to Chinese manufacture. One of the side pieces cracked in half. In speaking to TorqMasters a couple of times on the phone I discovered this info about Lokka straight from TorqMasters. Although disappointed I understood that TorqMasters would not warranty my locker (even though they were in the processing of firing Lokka) because although I bought the locker NIB I bought it from the original purchaser and I was not the original purchaser as required for the warranty.

 

Hearing that TorqMasters had made the above referenced move to the US I tried them again. I could not be happier. The new American made locker & refined design is noticeably smoother then the what amounts to the locker now being sold as a Lokka ever was and it works perfectly. It was $50 more than the Chinalokka. Getting stranded with a busted locker bought while knowing it was a china thing + paying to fix it + dealing with the down time < $50. I think of it as a cheap insurance policy. Others can reach whatever conclusion that they want.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I would not worry about a locker. Wheel with out one for awhile. That axle has been run in that condition for over 10 years! Who knows what's going on in there! Gears are super easy to set up in a 8.25 also. And they are a dime a dozen. If you need help finding one, let me know.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

...That axle has been run in that condition for over 10 years! Who knows what's going on in there!...

 

That's what concerns me most!  :laughin: I'm going to pop the cover at some point soon regardless. Looks like the cover has been backed into its share of rocks over the years and I'd really like to see what's going on with the spiders. If they aren't welded to the carrier, it'll probably stay that way it is with the addition of ZJ disks. I like the option of adding a locker if not right now then in the future for better road manners. If, on the other hand, they are welded to the carrier... it'll probably still stay that way until something gives.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
 Share

×
×
  • Create New...