Confirming Dana 44 locker install options

[nondem]

I finally got my hands on a Dana 44 so I can retire my 35. The one I got has the factory limited-slip AND drums which I thought was not a thing?...the brakes were obviously done very recently so I'm holding off on any potential disk brake upgrade at least for now. The axle was also apparently somewhat taken care of during it's life as it has no leaky seals, relatively clean lube and everything rotates like butter. I popped the cover and the gears look great.

Am I correct in saying that having the factory limited slip means the carrier can't accept a lunchbox locker?
I ask because the axle has matching 3.73 gearing which means I could get the axle installed in the Jeep and toss in a lunchbox locker to use until I can do the full regear on both ends of the Jeep w/less "budget" type lockers? If I'm going to have to swap the carrier to get the lunchbox locker in there I may as well go ahead and build the rear out with new gearing/shafts now. This Jeep is a weekend/vacation toy that won't see ice/snow so locker behavior isn't crucial like it might be on a daily driver.

Also, just to confirm - The Axle I got is from a 2002 Wrangler w/o AntiLock brakes and drums. My 2003 Wrangler also doesn't have anti-lock. I had my Woods rear driveshaft sized to work with the Dana 44's added length between the transfer case. Is there anything else I should be concerned with for swapping it out w/my Factory Dana 35? I'm running 35" tires but don't expect to ever go larger on this Jeep.

 

[Vtx531]

Not sure about the locker question but can tell you rear discs didn't become available until 03 and I don't think abs was ever available on the Dana 44 for a TJ.

 

[nondem]

I see Spartan DOES in fact make a lunchbox locker for the Dana 44. The listing says it works for a TJ but it also has both Dana 44 and Dana 44HD listed. WTF?
Are there two versions of the Dana 44 on a TJ?

 

[OutdoorEd]

Not sure whether or not lunchbox lockers will work in a limited slip carrier, but to me you’d be better off leaving the limited slip in the back and putting a lunchbox in the front. Until you do your front and rear rebuilds that is, then go selectable if dollars allow.

 

[nondem]

Not sure whether or not lunchbox lockers will work in a limited slip carrier, but to me you’d be better off leaving the limited slip in the back and putting a lunchbox in the front. Until you do your front and rear rebuilds that is, then go selectable if dollars allow.

I agree completely I should have mentioned I've already got a Spartan in the front and have been running an open rear for a while on my Dana 35. I didn't want to put effort into the "glass" Dana 35.
I know the limited-slip is better than nothing - assuming the clutches are still serviceable - but I've been extremely pleased w/how that Spartan has been doing. If I could just toss one in the rear it would keep me from having to dive into the regear right away. I've got 3.73 gearing which isn't awful even w/the 35" tires.

 

[nondem]

I agree completely I should have mentioned I've already got a Spartan in the front and have been running an open rear for a while on my Dana 35. I didn't want to put effort into the "glass" Dana 35.
I know the limited-slip is better than nothing - assuming the clutches are still serviceable - but I've been extremely pleased w/how that Spartan has been doing. If I could just toss one in the rear it would keep me from having to dive into the regear right away. I've got 3.73 gearing which isn't awful even w/the 35" tires.

Just to add...The reason I'm hoping for a lunchbox locker-type option is because I can install that w/o disturbing the gear setup. All of the "normal" locker solutions require resetting up the gears from pretty much scratch. If I'm going to have to do that, I might as well do the regear at the same time, which then would include having to do the front to match.
So, you can see that just finding a suitable lunchbox for the Dana 44 will get me locked at both ends the quickest and cheapest. I can then put off the major job of a complete regear indefinately.