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WJ Vari-Lok in our Dana 30?


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Is it possible or has anyone tried it? The little research I've been able to find on it leads me to believe it might be. The carrier for the HP/LP are the same part numbers from what I've read. The splines are the same and the length of the shafts shouldn't matter if its going into a HP D30 from a MJ/XJ correct? Thanks

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Is it possible or has anyone tried it? The little research I've been able to find on it leads me to believe it might be. The carrier for the HP/LP are the same part numbers from what I've read. The splines are the same and the length of the shafts shouldn't matter if its going into a HP D30 from a MJ/XJ correct? Thanks

 

I often wonder the same thing. I owned a '99 WJ for a short while and the front VariLok worked well and was completely transparent. I think it would be a great match with a 242 transfer case, but I haven't had the money to try it.

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I thought the vari-Lok in the quadra-drive WJ used different D30 and D44, because they had a pump in somewhere that could compress a clutch pack gradually to full lock if needed.

Aside from Wikipedia i haven't actually laid hands on on so its all speculation. But i remember someone asking the same thing on here before and i thought it was decided it wouldn't work. I'd be all for it if it does!


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EDIT: Found this on NAXJA

 

http://www.naxja.org/forum/showthread.php?t=14443

 

 

 

Well, not much to say that hasn't been said. The lockers are called Vari-loc by Jeep, Hydra-loc by the units original manufacturer. There is a clutch, piston and oil pump inside the case. When one axle spins faster than the other, the pump produces pressure that applies pump pressure to the piston and then apllies the clutch and locks the diff. Very similar to a trac-loc with the clutches, but will release and not cause steering drag. This unit will not totally lock up, but is better than an open differential. The D30 in the front of the WJ's is slightly different than the average XJ D30, it is machined to accept the oil pick-up plenum that is attached to the ring gear side of the carrier. The axle size is larger, not sure about the spline count though. Custom axles would be needed to run this unit.

The Jeep website has some basic info on the Quadra-drive system.
http://www.jeep.com/grand_cherokee/4...e=left&mtNav=0

You would be much better getting a drop in locker or a full replacement locking carrier made for the XJ D30.
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I thought the vari-Lok in the quadra-drive WJ used different D30 and D44, because they had a pump in somewhere that could compress a clutch pack gradually to full lock if needed.

 

Aside from Wikipedia i haven't actually laid hands on on so its all speculation. But i remember someone asking the same thing on here before and i thought it was decided it wouldn't work. I'd be all for it if it does!

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

EDIT: Found this on NAXJA

 

http://www.naxja.org/forum/showthread.php?t=14443

 

 

 

Well, not much to say that hasn't been said. The lockers are called Vari-loc by Jeep, Hydra-loc by the units original manufacturer. There is a clutch, piston and oil pump inside the case. When one axle spins faster than the other, the pump produces pressure that applies pump pressure to the piston and then apllies the clutch and locks the diff. Very similar to a trac-loc with the clutches, but will release and not cause steering drag. This unit will not totally lock up, but is better than an open differential. The D30 in the front of the WJ's is slightly different than the average XJ D30, it is machined to accept the oil pick-up plenum that is attached to the ring gear side of the carrier. The axle size is larger, not sure about the spline count though. Custom axles would be needed to run this unit.

 

The Jeep website has some basic info on the Quadra-drive system.

http://www.jeep.com/grand_cherokee/4...e=left&mtNav=0

 

You would be much better getting a drop in locker or a full replacement locking carrier made for the XJ D30.

 

Appreciate it. I thought I read something about the housing being different but no one confirmed it. Saves me time. Now I get to just pull the hydraulic steering cooler for the MJ. Is it necessary? No. Is it over kill? Absolutely. Am I still going to do it? Yes. Same reason I'll be running an 8.8 with 31's on a daily driver hahaha

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