8.25 Lockers (ARB, Detroit Truetrac, Powertrax)
The 8.25 supports ARB selectable lockers, Detroit Truetrac LSD, and Powertrax lunchbox options. Detroit Truetrac is the popular daily-driver-friendly choice.
Locker options for the Chrysler 8.25:
ARB Air Locker:
- RD117 (27-spline 3.55 and down) and RD118 (29-spline) — selectable, premium, ~$850.
- Excellent for daily drivers who want full lock on demand.
Detroit Truetrac:
- 27-spline ~$520, 29-spline ~$580. A torque-biasing limited slip — not a full locker. Always engaged but acts like an open diff in turns. Most daily-driver-friendly.
Powertrax Lock-Right or Aussie:
- 27-spline ~$300. Automatic locker, drops into stock carrier. Same caveats as D35 lunchbox.
For a daily-driven XJ with the 8.25, the Detroit Truetrac is the most popular choice — never have to think about it, works in mud/snow/light off-road, no on-road quirks. For dedicated trail use, ARB Air Locker is the top choice.
Install: ARB requires full diff setup (8-14 hours). Lunchbox is ~4 hours. Truetrac is similar to lunchbox (drops into stock carrier) but requires verifying the right spline count.
Why it works
- Multiple locker options
- Truetrac is daily-driver-friendly
- ARB is best for selectable use
Trade-offs
- Less aftermarket than D44/8.8
- 29-spline lockers limited availability
Tools required
- metric sockets
- torque wrench
- differential setup tools (ARB)
- drill (ARB)
Parts
| Part | Vendor | Est. price |
|---|---|---|
| ARB Air Locker 8.25 27-spline | ARB | ~$850 |
| Detroit Truetrac 8.25 27-spline | Eaton / Detroit | ~$520 |
| Powertrax Lock-Right 8.25 27-spline | Powertrax | ~$300 |
Sources
Related
- Ford 8.8 Explorer Rear Axle Swap (Full Guide)
- All Jeep Cherokee XJ guides & tools
- Browse the full DIY database
Written and maintained by an AZ wheeler and driveway wrencher. How we source guides. Always cross-reference your factory service manual — modifications affect vehicle safety and warranty. Work at your own risk.