Cons:
-In general, they aren't as effective in the front vs the rear.
-With a small axle (such as a 44 in combination with medium sized wheels and some moderate wheelin) you risk breaking shafts, especially in turns.
-Poor/scary winter driving characteristics

Pros:
-Normal street driving is unaffected as long as you can ulock the hubs.


I may be forgetting something....probably more cons. 

 

it works great but only in the woods / most people put a rear one in and think there super man / put a front one in and your super man - capt america and the HULK all in one

 

if you want to run a locker i'd put one in the rear before the front.

if you do put one in the front i'd lock your cad in place (engaged) and convert to locking hubs on your '86.  that way you'll know it's fully disengaged/both sides when you're on the road under normal driving conditions.  a locker in the rear in snow is one thing, one in the front in the snow has got to be downright scarey.

plus offroad a locker in the front just wants to plow straight, it's hard to negotiate tight trails under power.

 

I'd definitely put one in the rear before the front as they are much more effective in the rear and the rear axles are usually much beefier and will take the abuse better.  Another con for a front locker in addition to those listed above is the much reduced ability to steer in most situations.

 

Nice points. I wish this one were for the Chrysler 9 1/4 instead of the Dana 44. I guess I will keep my eyes pealed for a different model. Thanks for the input.

 

curious of the difference between dana 44, and hd dana 44. when i was in my front diff i had two different oil axle seals. couldnt find my notes- but if i recall right side was 1.3" where the inner axle oil seal sits on the axle shaft, and the left side was around 1.6", and wondering when the po replaced the ring and pinion he up graded to hd axle shaft on left side. would this be a simple up grade for the dana 44 or am i missing something

 

Other than length, I think the D44HD shafts are the same.

 

I had a lincoln lockER "aka" welded rear end in my ol 88 bronco and durin the winter boy was it spooky lol not the best for winter driven but in the mud hell i was goin places in 2wd that a budy in his nissan could not go in 4x4 lol.