Diff locks on TD5 Defender?

[AlanG]

Hi All

I'm planning to ship my 2005 Defender 110 TD5 from the UK to Oz later this year to spend 6 months doing "The Big Lap" - starting and finishing in Perth.

Mods already carried out: External roll cage, dual rear shocks and helper springs, Allisport intercooler, Alive tuning remap, dual battery system etc etc

Needless to say we will be spending quite a lot of time off the tarmac but nothing too ambitious (so if we go to Cape York we won't tackle the more challenging bits of the Old Telegraph Track, but we may want to hit a few dunes in the Simpson).

I've always found the traction is excellent in muddy or snowy conditions (yes that's the UK for you) with just the centre diff locked but the question is - should I look at diff locks (front, rear or both) or would my money be better spent on other gear?

Thanks in advance for any thoughts on this or any other advice!


Alan

[weeds]

I have always found my rear locker to be handy.....allows you to crawl over obstacles and gives you more control.

Re: Simpson Desert, I didn’t use either locker during my crossing. A locker on the cape trip would be handy.

Bang a rear locker in and spend dollars elsewhere.

[Slunnie]

Diff lock would be handy, but I'd also consider a cargo barrier, dual battery and car fridge/freezer

[Pub247]

You didnt mention but i'd rather have a winch than a rear locker so if you don't have a winch id get that first. If you got a winch already a locker would be good addition.

As said dual battery and fridge setup is one of the best mods ive done

[Dorian]

On dirt at 60km/h+ and you will be doing a lot of that, ATB's add so much more to the handling of the vehicle. In sand they are just awesome.
If you were going to spend money on a locker you could put ATB's front and back for pretty much the same price as one locker. They are always active and you don't need a compressor etc.
I have a MY13 TDCi and have progressively replaced all of them to get rid of my back lash problem. Previous vehicle was a 1999 D2, stock. I really notice the difference on dirt now the ATBs are in
There are a few threads about them on here and other forums. IMHO if you have traction control as well, ATB's will give you 90% of what a locker will do.

Having said that I don't think you would need either, though my two cents worth is that you should seriously consider what spares you will carry.
There are several small things that would be worth carrying, like that 5 ended water hose across the top of the engine (I'm assuming the defender has a similar hose to the D2), you won't find one of those in any of the small towns you will be visiting. You don't want to be carrying spare diffs etc around but it can be several days to a weeks wait to get something from Brisbane, Perth, Melbourne etc.

Cheers Glen

[gavinwibrow]

On dirt at 60km/h+ and you will be doing a lot of that, ATB's add so much more to the handling of the vehicle. In sand they are just awesome.
If you were going to spend money on a locker you could put ATB's front and back for pretty much the same price as one locker. They are always active and you don't need a compressor etc.
I have a MY13 TDCi and have progressively replaced all of them to get rid of my back lash problem. Previous vehicle was a 1999 D2, stock. I really notice the difference on dirt now the ATBs are in
There are a few threads about them on here and other forums. IMHO if you have traction control as well, ATB's will give you 90% of what a locker will do.

Having said that I don't think you would need either, though my two cents worth is that you should seriously consider what spares you will carry.
.

Cheers Glen


x 2 for the ATBs if you want to spend more on the drivetrain. I have the similar trutracs (ATBs not available at the time) on both cars and I love the confidence of fit and forget and the lesser strain on driveparts than lockers. Now to get the centre ATB from Ashcrofts and 7th heaven here I come.

[AlanG]

Thanks for the responses guys.[bigsmile1]

As I live about 20 miles away from Ashcroft Transmission I think ATB's may be the way to go - particularly as they seem to work well with traction control. I'm in the "crawl in low range" camp rather than the "hit it at full power" crew for complex obstacles. I also like the idea that they are "fit and forget".

Dual batteries are already fitted as is an ARB fridge (which will be returning to origin!) I also have a 120W fold out solar panel and 600W inverter. Storage boxes will be tied down but I'll investigate luggage barriers. I've spent quite a bit of time driving in Africa and also completed the Gibb River Road a few years ago so I'm aware of the effect of corrugations on the structure and contents of a vehicle!

My spares list will include a few mission critical items like the crank position sensor, spare fuel filters etc but any other suggestions welcome.

[Pub247]

Got a winch??

[AlanG]

<<Got a winch??>>

There's an 8 year old Superwinch on the vehicle but I'm planning to take it off as it hasn't been used for 5 years and may not even work any more. I'm planning to put the original bumper back on and have a Roo Bar/bumper fitted when we arrive in Perth (Bull/Roo bars are no longer road legal in the UK so you can't buy them any more).

I have a Tirfor hand winch and although it's hard work it'll get you out of most situations (including backwards!).

Do you think a winch is essential?

[AK83]

....

Do you think a winch is essential?

For 'touring' around Aus .. no!
Tirfor will help you get out of any sticky situation.
Just stick to accepted wisdom .. if you're somewhere and it rains, stay put and wait for the place to dry out before you drive.
Try hard not to drive on wet tracks, which just chops them up for no gain .. etc.

Are you doing a summery 6 months or a wintery 6 months?
Summer up in the north gets very wet, so it may be hard to get around in those conditions, or immediately after. Winter time is best up that way.

If you're coming during the summer and going up north(wet season) ... them maybe change that to at least a maybe, and maybe a yes!

[Colmoore]

I drove my 2010 110 around last year - did many of the challenging tracks inc tele track and Simpson crossing. Admittedly it was mostly dry, except for one or 2 occasions.
The stock drivetrain in the defender handled everything fine; I had a couple of goes at some big dunes and very muddy creek exits but still made it every time.
Used the winch to recover others only!
In any other truck, you can lift it, traction control it, lock it; in a defender you can just stock it!
That's why I drive a defender. [emoji41]
(Now I'm driving a 2006 130.)
You'll have a great time!

[Colmoore]

I drove my 2010 110 around last year - did many of the challenging tracks inc tele track and Simpson crossing. Admittedly it was mostly dry, except for one or 2 occasions.
The stock drivetrain in the defender handled everything fine; I had a couple of goes at some big dunes and very muddy creek exits but still made it every time.
Used the winch to recover others only!
In any other truck, you can lift it, traction control it, lock it; in a defender you can just stock it!
That's why I drive a defender. [emoji41]
(Now I'm driving a 2006 130.)
You'll have a great time!

[Red90]

Good quality shocks. Koni heavy track would be a good idea. Hopefully you have air con. I would still do a winch and all proper recovery gear. Nanocom. And durable tires.

[AlanG]

Thanks again for all the replies - winch vs no winch may be one of those debates like Mac vs PC where nobody will ever agree!

Arthur - agreed, making giant ruts unnecessarily just because you can isn't my thing. We'll be heading straight to the Kimberley from Perth at the beginning of June so that should be during the dry. We'll then continue clockwise and finish up on the West coast again in December.

Colmoore - glad to hear your stock 2010 Defender did so well. Your TC may be more advanced than mine, so I'm going for the Ashcroft ATB's as belt and braces. I saw a link elsewhere on the site to a hilarious (but at the same time sobering) Facebook page: I got bogged at Inskip Point - Home | Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/igotboggedatinskippoint/) I intend to be the bloke that cruises past effortlessly, not the one being towed out by a gaggle of Land Cruisers and Patrols!

Red90 - yes we have aircon and a Nanocom. We'll be on 255/85R16 Goodrich KM2 MT's which give a useful few extra mm's under the diffs. Only thinking of bringing one spare but I have a decent puncture repair kit and compressor. We'll have all the recovery gear and proper recovery points.

All your helpful comments are making me look forward to the trip even more!

Alan