shawplat said:
Does the 04 rubicon have air lockers or electric lockers?
Air lockers that activate with very low pressure (5psi). There is a tiny little air pump for each axle, controlled by the dash switch.
shawplat said:
Were there any problems with the lockers for this year, and how should one inspect lockers for function prior to purchase?
Find a gravel road or dirt lot - anything except a paved road. Put the Jeep in 4W Low range, and crawl forward slowly. Activate the locker rocker switch down once to engage the rear locker. Wait for the light on the dash to stop blinking. Now activate the switch a second time for the front axle, and again wait for the blinking to stop. Now release both lockers by operating the switch upwards. Wait for the dash lights to go out.
If there is a problem with the above, steer slightly back and forth - it helps the locker teeth to mesh.
shawplat said:
What is the verdict on the later NSG370 vs. the NVG3550 in the 04 rubicon for strength/durability etc? In addition are there any other important TSB's for this year rubicon?
Both are good durable transmissions. The 5-speed has a higher first gear and a higher overdrive. It is slightly more important to use lower axle gearing to compensate for larger tires. With either transmission, 33's are the largest tire you can comfortably run with stock 4.11 gearing. But if you gear the axles properly, the higher overdrive on the NV3550 is slightly better for highway mileage. The lower first gear on the NSG370 is slightly better for crawling - but only under the most extreme conditions.