![dana 35 spartan locker dana 35 spartan locker](https://qp.doonce.com/yukonspring19.jpg)
You can run a lunchbox up front, the on-road manners will be slightly worse, but much better than being locked in the rear as long as you have a 242 or 231 transfer case. In that case, upgrading the 30 and 35 might be the way to go. Granted, if you can find a set of heavier duty axle assemblies to swap in for cheap, by all means go for it, but finding one and doing all the work to haul them back home might not be what you want. 30 spline carriers are usually offered along side standard 27 spline carriers and from what I've seen don't cost more. It's way cheaper than a selectable and you're going to have to take the axle shafts out anyway, so the only addition is cost of new shafts. If you're going to be swapping out the axle carrier anyway in the rear (you mentioned that you might do a Truetrac or LSD rear) you might as well go to a 30 spline carrier and replace the axle shafts for 30 spline Chromoly shafts, basically a super 35 kit. For more aggressive driving I'd say that upgrading from the 30/35 is necessary, but with what you're saying your driving type is, I think that they should be sufficient.
![dana 35 spartan locker dana 35 spartan locker](https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/31wAAOSwoYZhFOfh/s-l225.jpg)
I might be a minority in that opinion though. If that's the case, I don't see why on 33's you couldn't just beef up your current axles a bit instead of completely replacing them. It sounds like your wheeling isn't aggressive wheeling, and that the traction aids are mostly there for when things get too slippery or a wheel lifts slightly on slippery terrain? Correct me if I'm wrong with that. Would these lockers be a good way to go, or is there a better way? I really don't want to go with selectable because of the expense ( cuts into the hunting budget) and I've never really felt the need for lockers, (always had a good shovel) but I'm coming up fast on 60 years old so I guess my wife makes a good point.
![dana 35 spartan locker dana 35 spartan locker](https://www.randysworldwide.com/web_images/image_gallery/album22__Spartan-Install_Page_2.jpg)
I generally go alone and my wife worries about me getting stuck in the middle of nowhere and freezing to death. I have a winch but there are many areas that are desert with not much to winch to. That being said when I get where Im hunting I never know what I might run into. I use this jeep mostly for coyote hunting and some trips can be 3 or 4 hundred mile away from home, so it needs to be well mannered on the hwy. I also looked at the Spartan LSD but it looks like they only make it for the 30. I am thinking either a spartan or aussie lunch box up front and a eaton truetrac or powertrax helical limited slip in the rear. When I have these axles open up I am think I might as well lock them. I am running 33" tires and I'm planning on regearing to 4.88. I have a 1995 zj that has the tow package (3.73 gears). The benefit offroad does NOT outweigh the negatives at all other times, not even close.Looking for some advice. It simply isn't worth the PITA that it is to deal with and be conscious of. Stay away from a rear non-selectable locker in a Dana 35, and stay away from one in a DD as well, regardless of the stoutness of the unit. Sorry for the "book" but had to give a shout out to those who tell it "like it is" without sugarcoating anything. I look forward to getting the break in period behind me so I can get the us and our TJ (The wife is beginning to call her " The Other Woman") back onto the trails. I have nothing against the Spartan locker per se, but I now 100% fully concur that it has NO PLACE in the rear on a daily road driven jeep. Some had funny quirks and whatnot so I am used to dealing with silly oddball things, but I just didn't realize just how poorly the Spartan locked rear end was treating me. I've been blessed to have had tons of truck projects and hot rods over the years. It's pretty bitchin' to be able to enjoy the tiny turn radius of of Jeep again, not to mention back out of my driveway without the neighbors looking to see what I broke when the locker clanks. The true Super35 will have to wait just a little bit longer, but in the meantime I am totally THRILLED with the difference in handling and improved road manners without having the rear locker.
Dana 35 spartan locker upgrade#
Long story short, the Spartan had already taken a toll on the OEM axles by way of spline damage and there were major sharp gear edges on the R&P as well so I'm now sporting some alloy 27 spline axles and breaking in a new rear gear set (the good buddy deal on parts and labor made it an easy choice to stay with the existing 3.73 for now while saving to do the more major upgrade and re-gear later as I have a house project that is the $$ priority at the moment ). I took the TJ over to a good buddy/customers shop the other day (If you're in the Boise area, Jim's Drivetrain flippin' ROCKS!) to yard out the rear locker and just go back to open while I saved for upgrading to a Super35. A special thank you to the likes of Jerry Bransford, Chris, and all the others who chimed in last month when I was asking about my then "new to me" 2000 TJ into which the PO had installed a Spartan Locker into the Dana 35.