Defender/Disco Diff interchangability

[Zcoota]

Hi,

Just before I spend my $$$$ on the wrong thing, will a front diff centre from a Series 1 Disco drop into my '86 Isuzu County ? I've searched the forum and it looks like they are interchangeable and its just the rest of the housing that is different ?


Thanks,
Mark

[pop058]

Early D1s are 10 spline and later D1s are 24 spline. The change over is around 93/94. What year is the Disco ?

[Zcoota]

Early D1s are 10 spline and later D1s are 24 spline. The change over is around 93/94. What year is the Disco ?

Oooh, good question, don't know. I assumed the splines were all the same. That difference is handy to know. Cheers.

[Red90]

They are all crap so hopefully it is free!

[pop058]

They are all crap so hopefully it is free!

Thank you for your expert and qualified opinion. I hope you receive such a professional and courteous solution the next time you require some assistance. [wink11] Have a nice day.

[Red90]

You already answered the question. I’m providing good advice. A used disco diff has zero value and should be free. It is not worth putting in an Isuzu truck. If you are having the diff out put something half decent in there.

[shack]

You already answered the question. I’m providing good advice. A used disco diff has zero value and should be free. It is not worth putting in an Isuzu truck. If you are having the diff out put something half decent in there.Like for instance?
And that is a legitimate question,

also what's the problem with disco diffs, mine is a d2, so no doubt different, and has only done 460 000 km so far, but are holding up ok at this point. I realize there are better/stronger options but for general running they seem adequate.

[Red90]

The stock diff is 10 spline. They are pretty weak and I would not pay money for another 25 year old used one. If it is free and you can’t afford to upgrade them go for it knowing you might be doing it again.

If you change to 24 spline you need aftermarket shafts so you might as well put a strong diff in there like a 4 pin or an ATB and not need to worry about it again.

[goingbush]

Sorry Mark but Red90 is on the money , the Rover diff was designed in the early 30's for a 20Hp engine , The design is basically unchanged & has no place post 1970's . They are all Crap.

Installing a used Rover diff is asking for trouble , At a minimum Rebuild it with a 4 pin centre , better yet an ATB or Truetrac centre. Cheap, easy & might potentially save your life .

[rangieman]

Sorry Mark but Red90 is on the money , the Rover diff was designed in the early 30's for a 20Hp engine , The design is basically unchanged & has no place post 1970's . They are all Crap.

Installing a used Rover diff is asking for trouble , At a minimum Rebuild it with a 4 pin centre , better yet an ATB or Truetrac centre. Cheap, easy & might potentially save your life .
Any one that uses their landy in anger will very quickly learn the reliability of a rover diff [bigrolf]
Mechanical sympathy is a major component of reliability but they are still not in the game for longevity [wink11]

[Zcoota]

I thought about going down the Truetrac path but I've heard some interesting stories about their handling characteristics.

As to the Disco diffs, I assumed that if they're up to the toque of the V8 then they would be up to the job ?

Thanks for the tips guys, I'll hang off and keep saving for a different centre.

[djam1]

I thought about going down the Truetrac path but I've heard some interesting stories about their handling characteristics.

As to the Disco diffs, I assumed that if they're up to the toque of the V8 then they would be up to the job ?

Thanks for the tips guys, I'll hang off and keep saving for a different centre.

I have an ATB in the front diff the same as a Trutrack and to be honest there are no negatives
If people are telling you about how bad Trutracks are they may be confusing them with Detroit Lockers and yes these do have unique handling characteristics.

[Vern]

I have an ATB in the front diff the same as a Trutrack and to be honest there are no negatives
If people are telling you about how bad Trutracks are they may be confusing them with Detroit Lockers and yes these do have unique handling characteristics.I have an atb in the front of my rangie, and there are negatives, like its tendency to want to pull the steering back to centre when you power on, particularly annoying on corners, more so in the wet.

[djam1]

Never noticed it to be honest
Mine is an Ashcroft though

[justinc]

A stock std disco 24 spline diff, inspected for pin and bearing wear is certainly worth fitting if you are not : working it hard, have 35" tyres, and drive like a fool. Mine has been in the front of my vehicle for over 150k, only recently that i have sourced an open 4 pin version.

[Vern]

Never noticed it to be honest
Mine is an Ashcroft thoughMine is ashcroft as well.
I don't think i would notice it as much with a less powerful engine like a 300tdi, but with the isuzu you definitely do when you plant your foot.

[goingbush]

A Truetrac / ATB in the front does have serious traction advantages, as well as being much much stronger . Far outweighs any perceived negatives.

this is a fairly representative comparison.


https://youtu.be/5A19n2aSoe8

Obviously the vehicle above is not a typical case being non power steering and not constant 4x4 the steering is noticeably heavier , which is solved by disengaging FWH.

In my Defender I noticed the front truetrac has slight tendency to self correct out of corners, thats not a bad thing and after a few corners the brain accounts for it and becomes perfectly normal.

[djam1]

It’s a long time since I have driven something without an ATB in the front so have probably just got use to it

[Vern]

It’s a long time since I have driven something without an ATB in the front so have probably just got use to itThat could be it, i don't drive hardly at all, so i really notice it.