Thread: Touring D2 - Auto Lockers or Air / Mechanical

I'd go air lockers, just a personal thing.

Baz.

Hi Chris,

I would probably go for the Ashcroft lockers over ARB and either over the auto ones.

Not that there is anything wrong with autolockers per-se, but I like having total control over them.

Rgds
Pete

Originally Posted by Psimpson7

Hi Chris,

I would probably go for the Ashcroft lockers over ARB and either over the auto ones.

Not that there is anything wrong with autolockers per-se, but I like having total control over them.

Rgds
Pete

I have heard some good things about the auto-lockers with the D2 TC.

Maybe just having the CDL with TC will be enough for most touring situations and as mentioned have the air lockers there for piece of mind if needed.

In regards to the Ashcroft air locker, it appears that they have taken all the small faults of the ARB and made it better, stronger and somehow cheaper.

Im doing almost the exact same thing, except only 32" tyres, and not changing ratios. For a tourer, Im going Tru Tracks. I think it will go almost anywhere, doesnt rely on the operator to do "hand dancing" going up and down hills, and more importantly, SWMBO will be able to drive the vehicle in as capable a condition as I do....

Originally Posted by Hamish71

Im doing almost the exact same thing, except only 32" tyres, and not changing ratios. For a tourer, Im going Tru Tracks. I think it will go almost anywhere, doesnt rely on the operator to do "hand dancing" going up and down hills, and more importantly, SWMBO will be able to drive the vehicle in as capable a condition as I do....

That is one thought I have with the auto lockers, they are easy and less extras to go wrong. Compressors failing, air lines being ripped out by random branches or rocks etc.

I am in two minds as too which way to go, auto lockers are a lot cheaper as well. It is $1200 an end completely built with new ratios etc.

The 33's are just for some extra clearance and should look fine witht he guard cut.

I have 31's at present and they dont give me enough diff clearance. I bottomed out and had to reverse earlier than a current shape Rangie last weekend.

I went dual TrueTracs in mine. With the same goals in mind (that of a tourer), I kept to the KISS principal. With the thought that as a tourer I shouldn't really being trying to get to places that only a full dual locked setup would go compared to the TrueTracs.

Less to break, less to maintain, always on .. The best option for me for what I needed.

Cost .. I think it was about $1200 landed for both front and back. I removed the third members myself and had the local diff shop install the TrueTracs in them. Cost was $60 per end. Total cost of setup (including oil and new o-rings and seals) was no more than $1350 for both ends. I am sticking to 32's (235/85/16 - easier to get hold of touring) so standard ratios for me.

Originally Posted by IceFyre

I went dual TrueTracs in mine. With the same goals in mind (that of a tourer), I kept to the KISS principal. With the thought that as a tourer I shouldn't really being trying to get to places that only a full dual locked setup would go compared to the TrueTracs.

Less to break, less to maintain, always on .. The best option for me for what I needed.

Cost .. I think it was about $1200 landed for both front and back. I removed the third members myself and had the local diff shop install the TrueTracs in them. Cost was $60 per end. Total cost of setup (including oil and new o-rings and seals) was no more than $1350 for both ends. I am sticking to 32's (235/85/16 - easier to get hold of touring) so standard ratios for me.

This is the plan I have for mine too and for similar reasons (especially price). I think that for most situations the TruTracs with traction control (and CDL) will do the trick. For the occasional extreme situations, a winch will get you out of trouble. For the price of two air-lockers, you can have two Trutracs and a winch!
I just have to finish sorting out other issues so I can buy the TruTracs ...

On my previous D1 i had 2 TT's for 5 years,it's a fit and forget diff,on my current D2 i put 2 ARB's,if used right(and at the right time) you can crawl obstacles without straining the disco(thats the main goal for me) and drive to quite difficult trails.
I 've got the ARB's for about 6000 kms and used them for 10-15 minutes only and i've got the diff out twice thanks to the magnificent mechanic who installed them,i also got an oily engine bay,i have to worry about electrics-compressor etc..
And say you have lockers and go far away,if your buddy's don't have lockers,you play alone..
When i play with defenders,it's kind of worth the expence but when i travel with other D2's and D1's it's twin TT's for me.

PS
So far i only climbed and rutted uphill track and all the others stayed behind,on all the other excursions the D2 with ETC and CDL got easier even than defenders so if you add the 2 TT's you'll be more than happy..