Yes, certainly true in my case, I'm afraid.
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Hi numpty,
We discussed this issue or non-issue as some would have it at length a couple of times.
It certainly appears that the pre-2012 Puma and D3 has the ability to brake all 4 wheels at the same time with its TC when all 4 are spinning (example sand). Going up a dune this would obviously rob all your momentum and then as the TC lets go, the car end up digging before the TC grips again.
This is however solved by good old fashioned sand driving precautions and technique... Soft tyres and correct application of power will obviously get you almost anywhere without the aid (or hindrance) of the TC system.
Back to the OP's question... I broke a diff on my 90 (entirely my fault, not the car's as many would claim) and in replacing it I wanted to opt for a 4 pin arrangement. I looked at Ashcroft's first, both locker and ATB LSD but limited warranty (even though you most probably won't need it) and a general unwillingness by Perth workshops to fit them I ended up with the brand new version of the ARB Airlocker (no plastic bits, better air delivery etc).
Purchase of the locker and small compressor and having it fitted with ARB's 5 year warranty cost me less than the indie quotes to fit the Ashcroft diff after I sourced and supplied it!
The verdict however is that I've never needed to use the locker as the 90 Puma's TC is absolutely spectacular (tried it with and without, but the jury's still out...). If I had the skills to fit a diff and had to do it again, I would most probably just fit an Ashcroft 4 pin open diff or maybe the ATB LSD as its not that much more than the standard 4 pin diff.
To start I would certainly spend my money on something other than diff upgrades at this stage!
Cheers,
Lou
Are you sure the D3 was turning the traction control off or the Hill Decent Control off?
I can easily imagine turning the HDC off.
You cannot turn Traction Control off - he was probably turning his Stability Control off which is understandable as it may cut power in some circumstances.
That is not how TC works - it only works when wheels are rotating at different speeds so if all wheels were spinning TC will not kick in.
Garry
Garry,
Not arguing about how the TC's working, but taking a run up and powering up a dune, the wheels are unlikely to encounter the same amount of resistance and thus rotation speed when they start spinning.
I've seen early Pumas come to a complete standstill up a dune they should be able to climb without any hassle and in fact all 300Tdi's and even TC equipped Td5's climbed without issues.
I've done LOTS of sand driving in places like the Kalahari and Namib desert in my 300 Tdi 90 and I fancy my chances at being able to do it. I've however had to take out my Puma's ABS fuse to disable the TC on the odd occasion to get through some of the powdery running sand we get here on the West Coast of WA.
Like I said, we've "argued" this point on a number of occasions and I'm not too keen to get into it again. I'm a massive fan of the Puma Defender and its TC, but I do believe its got its limitations in one or two isolated circumstances.
Cheers,
Lou
He said he was having to remember to turn the TC off after restarting or exceeding 40 km/h as it was braking spinning wheels and the vehicle was losing momentum.
Going from a non TC to TC vehicle is all about throttle control as Roger says.
The TC systems on later model Discos and Rangies are vastly different to that on a Defender.
I don't like auto-lockers purely because you have no control of them, which in some situation can make for interesting angles but as you're not a rock climber it's not such an issue.
Ashcroft ATB/Quaife/TruTracks are NOT lockers, they will NEVER 'lock', but they will maintain torque transfer between the two wheels on the axle fitted with them.
I like this option as they're invisible on road, perform excellently off-road, particularly in TC equipped vehicles, and they're cheap!
I'm not a fan of ARB air lockers, that's just me. If you want a full locker, go Ashcroft or Harrop E-lockers.
As said though, work out if you're actually going to need it! But I'd be going an ATB if it were me :)