A quick vid on my Air Locker installation

[Keithy P38]

Hey guys! Have been pretty busy with work lately but managed to scramble some time yesterday to fit up my Ashcroft Air Locker to the rear diff of my P38! And of course I had to take it out and 'test' it as well! Here's a quick vid I made up...

Range Rover P38 Air Locker vs Traction Control demo - YouTube

Cheers
Keithy

[Keithy P38]

For some reason I can't hear the sound on my computer. If you can't hear it either let me know! Gotta be able to hear it!!

Keithy

[Hoges]

I can hear the sound OK...!

Impressive results!

How long did it take you to fit the locker?

Did you need to remove the rear axle?

cheers

[rovercare]

For some reason I can't hear the sound on my computer. If you can't hear it either let me know! Gotta be able to hear it!!

Keithy

Can hear it

[Keithy P38]

Initial install took about 4hrs, that includes drilling and tapping the hole for the air line to feed into the diff. I had to pull it out again yesterday because I bumped the copper air line and dislodged the o-ring. Yesterday it took an hour and a half all up. The axles need to be removed in order to remove the diff centre.

[pablojac]

loud and clear. good demo, enjoyed it ! ;)

[glenhendry]

Good demo, I liked it. I need more pics of the switch, the wiring, the solenoid and the diff! :)

Where did you source the locker from and were you able to install it into the diff centre yourself?

Thanks!

[DT-P38]

Good demo, I liked it. I need more pics of the switch, the wiring, the solenoid and the diff! :)

Where did you source the locker from and were you able to install it into the diff centre yourself?

Thanks!

X 2 (What he said!)

Also heard from some disco/classic guys at last weekends VIC AULRO anniversary bash that these Ashcroft items are a good thing (good as ARB's) and are only around the $800 mark delivered (but DIY).

[DT-P38]

Sorry, probably opening Pandora's box but a quick question...

Why did you go for rear over front locker first? Does your P38 have std front traction control?

Also I've been told by a few different people that tapping/feathering brakes on slipping Traction control will initiate Locker style behavior from it. Has anyone experience or comment on this?

[101RRS]

I take it that your model P38 does not have full 4 channel traction control like later D2s etc - even my 98 Freelander. I was surprised that Tc did not take you up on the first go but not having a more modern TC system would explain it.

Great demo though - thanks.

Garry

[Hoges]

The P38 is my first 4wd. Other than the Cape york trip last year I'm not as experienced in "real" 4wding as many of my fellow forumites (= I don't regularly exercise a set of 32" muddies:D). I have never experienced lockers. "However" about a year ago I did put the rig over an obstacle course designed to demonstrate the supposedly superior advantages of the LC200:eek:

When my turn came I approached the course with the EAS at "Access" height :twisted: Stopped, selected LR and max EAS. UUUP it went in just a few seconds:eek: and proceeded to 'climb' over an extensive grid of wooden "electricity" poles laid with some cunning at various angles. I feathered the brake with gentle pressure, while applying slight accelerator.

I was amazed at the 4-Wheel traction control:o the rig just ambled over the lot, wheels askew at all angles and never exceeding more than 1200rpm. At times there were only 2 wheels in contact with the "ground" but all four were turning as they should! I will admit the LC200 (petrol) with its ability to set crawl speed at about 1km/hr looked impressive, but was no better in terms of getting the job done...I'm probably $60k in front at this stage!:p

[Keithy P38]

Wow, a few q's there! I'll answer them as best I can!

First thing I guess, it's an Ashcroft air locker! It has the advantage of further positive engagement over the arb unit. Secondly, it will never leak air like arb units do due to different design. It's also physically stronger than the arb unit with a major price advantage ($900 to my door). I dealt directly with Ashcroft for the purchase.

Secondly, yes I do have 4 wheel traction control! I could have put this locker in either diff, I simply chose the rear so I could keep the steering advantage! It also seems that the p38 will happily move forward with a front wheel in the air, bit as soon as a rear wheel kicks up the forward momentum stops!

Third, I can provide photos and info on the air/switch setup if you like. I tapped into the air tank, off a tyre inflation line to be exact, which is isolatable for peace of mind! The air solenoid lives with the emergency fuel release mechanism in the back!

It's a job that I was not confident to tackle on my own (the air lines and switch I did), so I had the help of a mechanic mate for the install of the centre, but I'd happily do it solo next time!

Cheers
Keithy

[Keithy P38]

On the topic of using the brakes, I am not an expert, but one would imagine that braking would tell the abs to prevent lockup of a spinning wheel rather than promote pulse braking of a wheel that has lost traction under drive? I'm not too sure on that one!

Cheers
Keithy

[LowRanger]

Well done
A quick and easy demonstration for people that may be considering a locker,but haven't seen for themselves just how much difference they make over and above traction control.
And a good demonstration of how having one can help save our tracks from being carved up.

Wayne

[rangieman]

Top job mate :D A bit of advice id run your air line in some conduit or a outer cover of some sort to prevent the chance of you air line puncturing from rubbing on something:cool:

[wayneg]

Apart from fitting all the ancillaries would you say fitting the main unit into the diff centre is a DIY effort with no previous experiance of dismantaling diffs. I have seen a couple of vids on youtube but dont understand the pre;load and how to measure it. Did you use new bearings or re-use the old?
I have been looking at the chinese copy ARB units which a couple of years back were being slagged off as crap. Time has passed and there are now good reviews ( apart from ARB themselves)

[996TURBO]

Nice add-on mate!! Love that video that shows how usefull a locker can be.
I may consider one in the future:cool:

[wanglemoose]

nice, lockers always help. but you forgot to try what the owners manual tells you to do first. in layman's terms back up and boot it. :wasntme:

[Keithy P38]

Ha ha, it does work! I've found that it shakes the beer up though! I would say it is a diy job for someone with good mechanical skills. Setting the pre-load can be advised on rave. Just make a mental note on how tight it was when you pulled it out. The Ashcroft locker comes supplied with new bearings, all you need to option is the p38 spacer ring ($30) in order to bolt your crownwheel up!

[PaulP38a]

Nice job Keithy, love the vid.
You might find the position of the switch a bit awkward though as you right knee might accidentally knock it. I moved my locker switches in to the dash binnacle.
Cheers, Paul.

[RobHay]

For some reason I can't hear the sound on my computer. If you can't hear it either let me know! Gotta be able to hear it!!

Keithy
Ahmmmmm.... I think I know what ya problem is.....TURN YA SPEAKERS ON.....:angel:

[wayneg]

Good demo, I liked it. I need more pics of the switch, the wiring, the solenoid and the diff! :)

Thanks!

Keith. Pretty much down to you I will be fitting an ARB type locker into the rear of mine soon. It comes complete with a compressor solenoids, loom and switches.
Having given some thought to fitting a second compressor with all the loom involved I am thinking it would be a whole lot simpler to T off the air tank and fit a generic 12v air solenoid which I could easily wire up to a nice switch.
So a few more questions. Where did you T from. What type of solenoid did you use. Did you fit some sort of pressure reducer, if so what type. Pics of your fitment please

[Keithy P38]

It feels good to have inspired someone else! Cheers! I have tapped into the air tank, run a ball valve off a 90 degree elbow and then a t piece from there, one line to the engine bay for pumping up tyres, etc, one line to the compartment where the emergency fuel release is then I put another t piece in, one line to upper luggage area for pumping tyres and the other for the locker solenoid. I have not reduced the air pressure to the solenoid at all.

I'll take pics and put up the parts list when I'm next home from work! The solenoid used is the one supplied by Ashcroft when I purchased the locker ($700 cheaper to my door than the arb air locker).

On the topic of switch location, I have no room on the dash so I chose the spot you can see in the vid. I have bumped it once, but that does not matter as the air supply to the locker stays isolated until I head off road, simply a matter of keeping an eye in the switch when hopping in and out!

Cheers
Keithy