LOCKERS.

[voltron]

Who here has managed to own their Defender for donkeys and managed to happily live without installing lockers. It seems every new car has one or two and your inferior if you dont have them.

I guess I haven't put myself in a situation where I felt I have needed them but that maybe me being not adventurous enough.

Cheers.

[AndyG]

Len Beadell ?

Sorry, could help myself

[Brett1066]

Between me and my mate we have owned my bus for 15years and haven't needed them (I have had the bus for the last five, my mate the 10 before that). Car has done a lot of off road work in the pilbara, kimberleys (not so much) and the resided in the NT for a couple of years. Last couple of years I haven't been able to get out much, but certainly in the past never felt the need for lockers.

[VladTepes]

I had a 110 ute w/out lockers - went everywhere.
Both 130's I've had - had lockers.
The previous one came with ARB rear locker.
I installed a maxidrive rear in my current 130 - just helps fr4om time to time.

Horses for courses.

I maintain an unlocked Defender will beat an unlocked cruiser / patrol most times anyway !

[Dervish]

Don't get me started on things you need to go 4x4ing, the 4x4 industry is just sickening. You need a $20k camper trailer, you need a turbo kit, chip and exhaust so you can pull it, you need solar modules to charge your multiple batteries, gigantic LED light bar, lift kit, 37" muddies and lockers...

You need these things to travel the tracks people travelled in their stock Series 2As 40 years ago, or haven't you heard?

[voltron]

Don't get me started on things you need to go 4x4ing, the 4x4 industry is just sickening. You need a $20k camper trailer, you need a turbo kit, chip and exhaust so you can pull it, you need solar modules to charge your multiple batteries, gigantic LED light bar, lift kit, 37" muddies and lockers...

You need these things to travel the tracks people travelled in their stock Series 2As 40 years ago, or haven't you heard?


I dont even have a snorkel yet:D as I dont ever see myself putting my car under water in the near future. But it seems in the world of the Jones's you need lockers to compete with everyone else, what they're competing for I am not sure.

Vlad makes a point when it comes to comparing brands of cars. At the end of the day there isn't a best car because a modification or an engine transplant available to level the playing field for every 4x4 out there. Isn't there.

[Disco_Fever]

I would have thought that a highly necessary mod for every Land Rover was a winch.

Bit if you don't feel guilty leaving other people stranded on the side of the track, then I guess ot isn't really... :p

Sent from my GT-I9305T using AULRO mobile app

[ProjectDirector]

For many years I was running a dual cab Hilux, no mods and carried a tirfor, I managed. I have my 2013 defender for 13 months and thought about lockers after my mate with his fully modified 70series dragged me into some ridiculous tracks. That was a knee jerk reaction. But I decided against the idea and my money is invested on functionality such as roof rack, my 25 year old hella driving lights, winch and under car protection. That is as far as I will take the defender, no mechanical or electrical mods, stock standard. I agree with Dervish "keeping up with the Jone's" ie peer pressure.

[austastar]

Hi,
I got 'caught' on an uphill rocky track recently, it took about 8 tries to get up the rocky shelf getting the axles crossed.
Every other vehicle got through easily, but my D130 ute was unloaded, so the only suspension was in the tyres.
Made it eventually with a different (and much more tippy) line up the obsticle, but I wished for lockers at the time.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2014/07/86.jpg
The line I should have taken.

I was rooting around in the loose stuff nearer the edge.

cheers

[n plus one]

I'm not trying to keep up with the Jones's, I'm trying to give 'em something to chase! Now, if I could just get portals, my life would be complete....


Although a track conversion would obviously also be useful I suppose :angel:

[PAT303]

If you have a TDCi I'd just fit an ATB and remove the backlash at the same time,any others a geared locker,I don't like extra buttons. Pat

[AndyG]

Hi,
I got 'caught' on an uphill rocky track recently, it took about 8 tries to get up the rocky shelf getting the axles crossed.
Every other vehicle got through easily, but my D130 ute was unloaded, so the only suspension was in the tyres.
Made it eventually with a different (and much more tippy) line up the obsticle, but I wished for lockers at the time.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2014/07/86.jpg
The line I should have taken.

I was rooting around in the loose stuff nearer the edge.

cheers

May I ask, were you on the track for the tracks challenge, or the destination, maybe this determines the need for lockers.

[Benz]

Yeah most of the time its all maketing hype.

You don't need them
You only want them

[isuzurover]

I spent many years driving without lockers.

However:
When I did the canning stock route we got 57 mm of rain (Most of the wet season rainfall in the dry season!).

The lakes turned into a quagmire and the "bypass" tracks which were supposed to exist on the map were long since overgrown and impossible to find / nonexistent.

I had to tow the rest of our party one by one through a number of sections. Lockers and mud tyres were essential in this case. We could of course instead have camped in the middle of a lake (in the rain) for a week or 2 until it dried up again...

I have also needed lockers several times to recover others on the beach or also launch and retrieve my boat.

I don't look down on people without lockers, and indeed when driving recreationally will attempt most tracks without lockers first.

Lockers do however allow you to drive a lot of tracks more safely and/or do less damage (due to less wheelsping and speed needed). They also remove some of the weaknesses in rover drivelines...

Anyone who has driven down a steep rocky/rutted hill with a rear locker engaged will know it is much safer than doing the same with an open diff.

[Jeff]

May I ask, were you on the track for the tracks challenge, or the destination, maybe this determines the need for lockers.

I think you have hit the nail, AndyG. We all have different uses for our Defenders and we equip them as such. I use mine for everything from commuting to work, moving around at work, towing my race bike to serious tracks with some forum members and would love to fit lockers, but it isn't number one priority.

Before I fit lockers, I would need a winch, because with lockers, if you are stuck, you are really stuck. To fit a winch I would need a winch bar, and then rock sliders, heavy duty axles, trick suspension etc etc. It can be never ending, and some people love that sort of thing, but my money is generally being spent on racing, so I make do with what I have. I did a trip recently to Ourimbah with some forum members all with lockers, and surprised them all and myself with where I could go. I think I had the most fun that day for the $ outlay, and it happened on my previous forum trip too. I think if I got lockers, I would not be learning like I do every trip now and not improving my technique. I may also try things much more difficult and likely to damage my vehicle.

I'm not knocking those who chose lockers, far from it, but if you think you don't need them don't get them.

Jeff

:rocket:

[djam1]

You need these things to travel the tracks people travelled in their stock Series 2As 40 years ago, or haven't you heard?

No they MADE these tracks in a Series 2A 40 years ago.

[weeds]

Umm just thinking......2a v coils and lockers, I know which I would prefer

Buggered of I know why everybody is so concerned about what others fit to their cars....who gives a toss. If you want a stock standard defer than goodo, if you wants ad ons than go for it.

When you get stuck and I drive right past it all can be discussed at the pub.

[austastar]

May I ask, were you on the track for the tracks challenge, or the destination, maybe this determines the need for lockers.

Hi,
Just for the destination.
I'm more of a touring type and will walk a track rather than drive it if I'm not 100% happy with it.

cheers

[isuzurover]

...

You need these things to travel the tracks people travelled in their stock Series 2As 40 years ago, or haven't you heard?

Nobody said anyone "needs" lockers or a winch from what I have read???

Of course you can drive all these tracks in a IIA with a shovel and a couple of spare halfshafts...
Most would choose not to spend days digging their vehicle out of a bog though - like many used to back in the series days...

[jasonedu]

Don't get me started on things you need to go 4x4ing, the 4x4 industry is just sickening. You need a $20k camper trailer, you need a turbo kit, chip and exhaust so you can pull it, you need solar modules to charge your multiple batteries, gigantic LED light bar, lift kit, 37" muddies and lockers...

You need these things to travel the tracks people travelled in their stock Series 2As 40 years ago, or haven't you heard?

agree. we drove from london to australia with less gear on and in our car than most people take with them for a weekend camping. we were shocked when we got here :-)

[voltron]

Yeah I guess the point of the question was to find out to what degree you would need lockers as I suggested that I myself may not be adventurous enough yet to have not needed them.

My friend just bought an Amarok and it came with front and rear lockers, he had a little chuckle that I had none and he doesnt even use his car to the point where he would ever engage the lockers.

Are they a marketing angle for alot of newer model 4wd's?

[isuzurover]

...

Are they a marketing angle for alot of newer model 4wd's?

Given something like 90% of 4x4s never leave the tarmac you could argue that 4x4 and low range are largely marketing - let alone lockers!

[voltron]

Given something like 90% of 4x4s never leave the tarmac you could argue that 4x4 and low range are largely marketing - let alone lockers!

Tru Dat.;)

Another guy was telling me he would invest in better suspension setup before lockers, again I dont know how valid that is.

I have a winch and am happy with that.

[isuzurover]

Tru Dat.;)

Another guy was telling me he would invest in better suspension setup before lockers, again I dont know how valid that is.

I have a winch and am happy with that.

IMHO it really depends on what you want to do with the vehicle.

For a touring vehicle where you will be doing a lot of solo travel:
1. Winch
2. Lockers
3. Leave suspension standard unless upgraded springs/shocks are needed.

play vehicle:
1. Suspension (more travel)
2. Lockers
3. Winch

[inside]

I've got a Detroit in the back and an Ashcroft LSD in the front and I highly recommend them. It's not about bragging and not about saying my vehicle can go here or there while yours can't. For me it's about getting to remote destinations and back solely relying on your vehicle. The easier you can be on your vehicle and the less you have to bounce wheels or take multiple attempts at climbs the better it is on the vehicle. Sure if you're just doing the odd weekend trip with the boys it's not really required. If you're 1000kms from help and you face a climb loaded with camping gear you begin to appreciate lockers.

Black Defender with lockers Vs Defender with traction control. You can't tell me lockers aren't easier on the vehicle.

YouTube

[slug_burner]

I've got a Detroit in the back and an Ashcroft LSD in the front and I highly recommend them. It's not about bragging and not about saying my vehicle can go here or there while yours can't. For me it's about getting to remote destinations and back solely relying on your vehicle. The easier you can be on your vehicle and the less you have to bounce wheels or take multiple attempts at climbs the better it is on the vehicle. Sure if you're just doing the odd weekend trip with the boys it's not really required. If you're 1000kms from help and you face a climb loaded with camping gear you begin to appreciate lockers.

Black Defender with lockers Vs Defender with traction control. You can't tell me lockers aren't easier on the vehicle.

YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d6T8HPviVuE)


And what happens if you have no traction aids? Yeah, yeah, you take another line or you use momentum etc,

Each to their own, if you're happy with your vehicle and don't feel the need then don't worry about advertising or the Joneses. I changed away from OEM when I had to replace my rear drive members/axles and flanges when they develed slop and a slight twist in the splines. Rear locker was next and I have used it when touring and when just playing around, front locker came when the LR centre developed slop and the cost to replace was going to be on a par with a locking centre.

As Ben pointed out, two wheel drive is good enough for 90% of the time. Why do we have 4wds, because we want to, I have lockers for the same reason.

And yes you are not adventurous enough, but then again who is the arbiter of what is adventurous and what is not?

[weeds]

Oh to answer your question, my defer come with twin lockers.......

to show mate up I drove a hill a second time without front locker and destroyed a CV.....I'm assuming due to wheel spin.

[Tikka7mm08]

I have got front and rear lockers (Chockers) in my Puma 90... the first thing I got was a winch bar and winch though. I don't mind at all if someone doesn't have accessories on their truck - I love being able to help someone else though and if the winch and lockers make that happen I am very pleased I made the investment (as are they).

[IBN]

Apologies if this might be a bit of a thread derailment. Coming from a VW type background, the pinnacle of diffs for VWs is a Quaife item from England. Looking at their catalog they look to cater to the Land Rover family as well. Does anyone use their diffs here in Australia? They look to be quite expensive and let's not talk about their sequential gear boxes, Land /Range Rover 6-Speed Sequential Gearbox (http://shop.quaife.co.uk/quaife-land-rover-6-speed-sequential-gearbox) :eek:.
Cheers,
Ivars

[slug_burner]

Apologies if this might be a bit of a thread derailment. Coming from a VW type background, the pinnacle of diffs for VWs is a Quaife item from England. Looking at their catalog they look to cater to the Land Rover family as well. Does anyone use their diffs here in Australia? They look to be quite expensive and let's not talk about their sequential gear boxes, Land /Range Rover 6-Speed Sequential Gearbox (http://shop.quaife.co.uk/quaife-land-rover-6-speed-sequential-gearbox) :eek:.
Cheers,
Ivars

Quaife stuff is something people have pointed out in the past, not many on here have their stuff. There are plenty of other sources of diff lockers and centre diff auto torque bias centres, Ashcroft is one from OS, ARB is local and popular, We also have the maxi drive lockers, Jacmac if you can put up with some average customer service (should that be insults?), a few others from the states at pretty good prices.

[PhilipA]

Is that a Pom saying that? You must be joking. All the stuff they put on cars and the number of companies who specialize in"expedition equipment". Some of the articles in LRO are laughable where they have all these tricked up cars to go along a 5mile Greenlane which is about as challenging as parramatta road.

[n plus one]

Apologies if this might be a bit of a thread derailment. Coming from a VW type background, the pinnacle of diffs for VWs is a Quaife item from England. Looking at their catalog they look to cater to the Land Rover family as well. Does anyone use their diffs here in Australia? They look to be quite expensive and let's not talk about their sequential gear boxes, Land /Range Rover 6-Speed Sequential Gearbox (http://shop.quaife.co.uk/quaife-land-rover-6-speed-sequential-gearbox) :eek:.
Cheers,
Ivars

Quaife makes good stuff but very $$$ - Ashcroft make a similar torque biasing diff centre (ATB) that a number of members here run (myself included), they also make an ATB for the centre diff so you can run three ATBs in total if you wanted.

While I'm not sure if Quaife make lockers, a full locker is more popular here in Oz, presumably as it gives you drive when push really comes to shove (i.e. in wheel lift situations).

That said, an ATB gives you benefits pretty much all the time, and works surprisingly well with the occasional wheel lift (particularly if combined with traction control and/or left foot braking).