  The way the gears are controlled inside your differential can mean the difference between getting stuck or getting home with a big grin. If you're lucky, these gears are controlled by a traction device. There are three common types of traction devices available for the Dana axles found on your Jeep: Open (no traction device), limited slip (such as TracLok), and lockers.
Why would anyone want lockers? Because they offer us what we need most - traction. By locking both wheels of an axle together, they create true 4-wheel-drive*. So, even if one wheel gets off the ground or stuck in mud or sand, the other wheel still receives power; usually enough to get you unstuck. There are two primary types of locker available: Manual (or air locker), and automatic. Which type is right for you depends on the type of 'wheeling you do, and is even more dependent on your wallet. While automatic lockers start at less than $300, manual lockers can run you well over $1000 when all is said and done. With this in mind, we decided to install two of the more affordable (and more common) automatic lockers on the market into our Project '97 TJ. In part two of this article**, we'll show you the installation of our front EZ and rear Detroit lockers, both from Tractech. Installation will be done by Custom Truck Warehouse. We chose the EZ Locker for the front because of its affordability and fairly easy installation. The Detroit was selected for the rear due to its almost bulletproof construction, and quiet operation. Regardless of which locker you decide on, when the time comes that you actually need it, you'll be very glad to have one!
* When used on both axles.
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