Latest LRO International Mag - article on Diff lock D2 or not

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by ozscott

I have to disagree with that summary Lawrance. I have made it places in my unlocked D2 that make my eyes water. I wouldnt call some of the stuff I have done easy. Admittedly steep uphills are more of a challenge without CDL but its a case of more theatrics and wheel spin - more revs.

<snip!>
Cheers

---

G'day Ozscott,

I've got the twin diff locks and gotta say that I've driven on a lot of types of tracks and surfaces (rock, sand, snow) and the biggest single gain was fitment of CDL when compared to totally unlocked DII.

After that, the benefits of twin difflocks are there, but it's not as huge a gain anymore. I've been able to drive up the same difficult tracks multiple times whilst experimenting with CDL, ETC and diff locks. The ETC is hard on the planetary gears on the diff centers because it is pulsing the brakes which is sending shocks through to the little spider gears. This led to the early demise of my factory diff centres, hence I fitted the ARB diff locks, because they are essentially a stronger diff centre, even when unlocked.

Also, I have found ETC not very good in sand.

Lawrance

This was my first post to Allan above:

Gday Allan - you should only need the output housing with the bits in it. MR here are about the best LR people in Qld...they reckon about $2000 all up to take out strip off the old output housing and stick on the one with the internals (D1, Deefer) and put it all back together. The shifter linkage system they use is about another $400 fitted - seperate lever in keeping with the original lever. While they have the box out they fix the the oil leak problem - a mod to the main shaft apparently."

He then asked about levers and wanted one lever hence the next post...:)

Larwance - you have raised what I reckon is the main problem with any TC system - its hard on the diffs. In sand the ETC alone can suffer form a standstill in deep soft sand - its harder to get going.

Having said that I have done a lot of sand work with mine with stock tires in deep beach cuttings towing up to 2.2 tonns! BUT with the 265/70/16 on there now I cant wait to get back onto the beach. This will do a lot more for me I reckon than the CDL and stock tyres on the sand. I will let you know at the end of Oct after Fraser.

Cheers matey.

PS. You have clearly gone way past stock with yours. I am one of those slightly weird cardigan wearers that like stockers...:(

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by ozscott

PS. You have clearly gone way past stock with yours. I am one of those slightly weird cardigan wearers that like stockers...:(

---

Yeah but mine has leather elbow pads, I want the original leaver with the push to the left action to function :D

Anyway its all a case of diminishing returns, depending on where you start. Most situations will be addressed by one or other of the additional components:
a. If you start with nothing then TC makes a huge perceptual difference.
b. The addition of CDL to TC will make somewhat less difference, but it will get you past some specific obstacles that CDL on its own might not. Whether the less is greater or smaller depends most obviously on the person and their driving style and whether their expectations were met with TC.
c. The addition of lockers on front/rear/both to TC and CDL will make even less difference, but again the kinds of obstacles that their combination will get you past are marginally increased.

Given that the D2 is a very capable machine out the factory door and is designed to cope with most common obstacles the basic package is enough (TC without CDL). There will be situations where TC doesn't perform so well and having the addition of CDL is an advantage (deep mud is one case I can think of where all wheels may lose traction), but as technique and knowledge of the system increases, and therefore trust in it, the range may actually diminish. The requirement for lockers is only for those vehicles that are intended for extreme off-road conditions. There are few D2's that will be put into that environment and so there will be equally few that need it.

I for one know the benefit of CDL, but as yet I am not convinced that the added benefit outweighs the cost.

Alan

Quote:

---

I for one know the benefit of CDL, but as yet I am not convinced that the added benefit outweighs the cost.

Alan

---

Course it does !! its another light on the dash and something else to play with !!! :D

I think when you compare it to the cost off diff lockers, adding a CDL linkage to a D2 equipped with a CDL in the case, is a very worth while investment. Its a shame Land Rover took 5 years to agree !!

You will be surprised how little the TC functions once the CDL is in.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Urban Panzer

Course it does !! its another light on the dash and something else to play with !!!

---

Dang. I hadn't thought of that. You're right. :D

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Urban Panzer

I think when you compare it to the cost off diff lockers, adding a CDL linkage to a D2 equipped with a CDL in the case, is a very worth while investment. Its a shame Land Rover took 5 years to agree !!

---

Well, that's the point isn't it. The addition of components has a lessening effect the more you put on.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Urban Panzer

You will be surprised how little the TC functions once the CDL is in.

---

It may also be that, depending on how/when the CDL is engaged, TC is disengaged ;)

Alan

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by disco2hse

It may also be that, depending on how/when the CDL is engaged, TC is disengaged ;)

Alan

---

Not me, i keep mine engaged, i love ETC:D

If you retro fit it properly so its like an 03 /04 MY, then you can engage, disengage when you like and the 3 amigos dont pop up....

I to always have both CDL and TC:D

I reckon Alan sums it all up nicely.

Urban Panzer - your right about lights and bits to play with!

Cheers all. Its all good stuff.