Thread: To lock or not

Originally Posted by AndyG

A number of threads here have suggested, I think, to lock the centre diff as soon as you smell green grass or dirt, or it will disintegrate.

LR state in the hand book and on decals, nothing over 40 with Centre diff locked.

I am not even quite sure why you would lock in high range, although it could envisage a muddy/snow/sand scenario but not a dirt track or paddock.

So what is right for longevity

I've been locked on loose gravel roads, up to around 80/90kph. If I'm on a surface that allows some wheel spin on take off (tdi ), I lock up.

Did not know 40kph was a recommended limit...

Originally Posted by AndyG

A number of threads here have suggested, I think, to lock the centre diff as soon as you smell green grass or dirt, or it will disintegrate.

LR state in the hand book and on decals, nothing over 40 with Centre diff locked.

I am not even quite sure why you would lock in high range, although it could envisage a muddy/snow/sand scenario but not a dirt track or paddock.

So what is right for longevity

Lock early, lock often. An unlocked LT230 with spinning wheels has a life span measured in minutes (if that).

Re use in high range, it's of use on sandy tracks and greatly improves handling on loose high speed dirt.

Umm , I just did the Birdsville & Strezleki unlocked. All good, I think
I really don't know.

locked centre on high speed dirt = awesome.

High speed and Defender, there's an oxymoron, but then I never said Defender earlier.

Originally Posted by Disco Muppet

locked centre on high speed dirt = awesome.

I disagree, I loathe unnecessary understeer, but I'm in the minority.....

I'm 21, so I still drive a bit stupid
Could always fit an ATB centre...
Consider though yesterday I nearly rolled my echo (on a very familiar road and not going THAT fast) when the rear started trying to overtake me and I ended up in a drainage culvert, so my last memory of gravel at speed is a twitchy 2wd ****box
Disco unlocked is superb on slippery gravel, CDL engaged made it better IMHO, although yes it does understeer a bit more.
But then I'm in a different boat with a shorter wheelbase and different engine.

Originally Posted by rick130

I disagree, I loathe unnecessary understeer, but I'm in the minority.....

We are in the minority .