That's pretty simple. Switch and a solenoid air valve. The valve can be set up for 1/4" (not common) 5mm, or the newer 6mm air line. Not much harder than wiring in the Eaton.
The air actuator is the same for both ends. If you want to rebuild that one, I've probably got a known good rear I can dig up. I don't recommend that, but it can likely happen if all else fails.
It took me a bit longer than expected, but I finally got the new 4.88 ring and pinion and Eaton ELocker installed in the Jeep. I just took it on its maiden voyage — a Father's Day adventure with @Lonewolf to the first crossing of Fordyce.
Originally, I planned to reuse the old gearset to save money. But since I had thick-cut gears for the stock Rubicon locker and ordered the Eaton ELocker for carriers sized for 3.73 and up, I had to buy a standard-cut 4.88 set. Not a huge loss, since reinstalling the old gears without noise might’ve been tricky anyway.
Overall, setting up the gears wasn’t too bad — just a lot of measuring and pulling the carrier in and out. Once everything was in and I wired up the Eaton, I was a little nervous when the locker switch didn’t do anything. I double-checked the wiring and moved to the locker end. Turned out I had too much preload, and the actuator couldn’t engage. I removed a bit of shim from each side, and on the next test, it worked flawlessly.
It also worked great on the trail once I realized I hadn't plugged it all the way in, and the connection was unhooked.
View attachment 624517View attachment 624519View attachment 624523View attachment 624526
It took me a bit longer than expected, but I finally got the new 4.88 ring and pinion and Eaton ELocker installed in the Jeep. I just took it on its maiden voyage — a Father's Day adventure with @Lonewolf to the first crossing of Fordyce.
Originally, I planned to reuse the old gearset to save money. But since I had thick-cut gears for the stock Rubicon locker and ordered the Eaton ELocker for carriers sized for 3.73 and up, I had to buy a standard-cut 4.88 set. Not a huge loss, since reinstalling the old gears without noise might’ve been tricky anyway.
Overall, setting up the gears wasn’t too bad — just a lot of measuring and pulling the carrier in and out. Once everything was in and I wired up the Eaton, I was a little nervous when the locker switch didn’t do anything. I double-checked the wiring and moved to the locker end. Turned out I had too much preload, and the actuator couldn’t engage. I removed a bit of shim from each side, and on the next test, it worked flawlessly.
It also worked great on the trail once I realized I hadn't plugged it all the way in, and the connection was unhooked.
View attachment 624517View attachment 624519View attachment 624523View attachment 624526
Alex, your TJ is a favorite of mine on the forum. It's very well thought out and put together to handle even the toughest trails with comfort, function, and reliability. Well done sir!
