Rubicon locker mod

[JonathanH]

I have a 2004 Rubicon and want to have the locker mod done so I can use the lockers in 4 Hi and I am seeking input on different ideas for actuation switches, locations of switches, etc. I will be having an off road shop do the work for me, what price is reasonable for this type of job?
Also would you suggest relocating the pumps or any other modifications related to the factory lockers?

 

[Irun]

Start here. You can do this job yourself and save money for another modification!

https://wranglertjforum.com/threads...-locker-bypass-use-your-lockers-in-4-hi.9241/

 

[andy29847]

Sometimes, when I have finished all my home and vehicle projects, and I am looking for something to do, I think about moving the air compressors under hood and rerouting all the axle and transfer case vent hoses to the same location. Then life takes over and I have to work to keep something running. This year it was my lawnmower. It blew up and I ended up replacing the engine. Now I've use the limit of my mechanical inspiration for a few months. Ah well.......

Seriously, why would anyone lock in 4 high? The only spots I can think of are a banzai run through a swamp or a long hill climb with a high speed runup. Inquiring minds want to know.

 

[Irun]

It's easy to remove the pumps and mount them under the hood. You can use the tray underneath the brake booster as a place to put them. This is the most common re-location home for them. This is the grossly over simplified version. FWIW, the better reason to do this modification is to control each rear locker independently, i.e. you can just lock the front, rear, or both.

The last picture shows the switches mounted on a Tuffy console, but they can just as easily be installed on the stock console. These were the switches used.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0154JY8OA/?tag=wranglerorg-20

 

[taylormade73]

Sometimes, when I have finished all my home and vehicle projects, and I am looking for something to do, I think about moving the air compressors under hood and rerouting all the axle and transfer case vent hoses to the same location. Then life takes over and I have to work to keep something running. This year it was my lawnmower. It blew up and I ended up replacing the engine. Now I've use the limit of my mechanical inspiration for a few months. Ah well.......

Seriously, why would anyone lock in 4 high? The only spots I can think of are a banzai run through a swamp or a long hill climb with a high speed runup. Inquiring minds want to know. View attachment 211505

The mod isn't only for locking in 4hi. It is also to be able to lock either front or rear independently.

 

[taylormade73]

@Irun Rich, you beat me to it lol

 

[Irun]

@Irun Rich, you beat me to it lol

LOL, I was just going to say that!

 

[sierradmax]

If you can understand the schematic, I did the Greg method and my switches are above the windshield in an S-tech switch bezel.

 

[JonathanH]

Sometimes, when I have finished all my home and vehicle projects, and I am looking for something to do, I think about moving the air compressors under hood and rerouting all the axle and transfer case vent hoses to the same location. Then life takes over and I have to work to keep something running. This year it was my lawnmower. It blew up and I ended up replacing the engine. Now I've use the limit of my mechanical inspiration for a few months. Ah well.......

Seriously, why would anyone lock in 4 high? The only spots I can think of are a banzai run through a swamp or a long hill climb with a high speed runup. Inquiring minds want to know. View attachment 211505

In some areas I wheel I will have to deal with long muddy roads where wheel speed would help and I just like having options.

 

[CodaMan]

This is literally a 15 minute job that requires no mechanical experience and no added switches. All you have to do is pull the center bezel, unscrew the switch plate and place a jumper wire across pins 1 and 4 of the locker switch. Done!!! Now you can engage the lockers in 4Hi as long as your traveling under 10 MPH.

 

[JonathanH]

If you can understand the schematic, I did the Greg method and my switches are above the windshield in an S-tech switch bezel.

View attachment 211512

View attachment 211513

That switch placement is interesting, I had been thinking about working with the area of the factory switch since I don’t have a hardtop/rear wiper and could possibly utilize those spots. Was that a difficult install running wires to the switches in that location?

 

[NashvilleTJ]

Seriously, why would anyone lock in 4 high? The only spots I can think of are a banzai run through a swamp or a long hill climb with a high speed runup. Inquiring minds want to know. View attachment 211505

If you are running a Rubicon, and therefore a 4-1 low range, locking in high helps anytime you need some wheel speed in a slippery situation - like a hill climb in wet clay, for example. You’re not going to get wheel speed in 4-1.

Personally, if I had a Ruby - this is likely the first mod I would do. I like having the control. I also don’t like DC telling me when I can and can’t engage my lockers (a little double entendres there...).

 

[andy29847]

Sand dunes - that's another place for 4-hi lockers. What is the speed limit youse guys observe when you are locked in 4-hi?

 

[NashvilleTJ]

Sand dunes - that's another place for 4-hi lockers. What is the speed limit youse guys observe when you are locked in 4-hi?

What is this “speed limit“ thing you’re talking about ???

 

[CodaMan]

Sand dunes - that's another place for 4-hi lockers. What is the speed limit youse guys observe when you are locked in 4-hi?

There is no limit

 

[Goatman]

I need 4 hi lockers frequently around the farm when pulling heavy-ish equipment around the farm. Especially hay wagons from the bottom of a hay field. Freshly baled fields are slick to drive on without a lot of weight on the axles. I doubt too many others fall into this category, but the deer hunters and trappers probably need this too

 

[Viking Jeeper]

This is where I put my switches. Either locker can be activated at any time. If something were to happen to these switches the factory switch still works but with all the factory restrictions.

I'm also in the process of moving the pumps under the hood. I have chosen to mount them on a separate piece of metal that I will install just behind the washer fluid bottle.

 

[CodaMan]

This is where I put my switches. Either locker can be activated at any time. If something were to happen to these switches the factory switch still works but with all the factory restrictions.

I'm also in the process of moving the pumps under the hood. I have chosen to mount them on a separate piece of metal that I will install just behind the washer fluid bottle.

View attachment 211523

Have you ever found a need to lock the front while keeping the rear unlocked?

 

[nk24]

Adding the individual switches is as simple as splicing into a few wires.

If you decide to use these type of switches in this location, make sure you look at the back side before choosing your location to drill. There are reinforcement tabs on the back and if you don't take them into account, you might have to grind them off for the switch nut to fit (ask me how I know ).

 

[andy29847]

Speed limit? The Jeep manual says lockers are limited to 10mph. I don't always follow the rules, but I can get 10mph in 4L.