Thread: D4 ARB Front Diff Lock: Anyone?

Originally Posted by cjc_td5

Hi Justin.
Yes my ediff will at least partially lock even on a bitumen road. If I was to dump it from a standing start on bitumen, it will lock the rear diff. Same goes for when towing, it will at least partially lock it fairly regularly. You can watch it locking on the "4WD Info" screen.
Chris

Using the IID Tool, you can even see it partially locking at an amount lower than the threshold to activate the symbol on the dash - I have a graph somewhere of my drive to the shops where it loads up the diff from very small amounts all the way up to high torque figures. It is really interesting as to how it even has an amount of preload on it whenever you are driving in a straight line.

I had thought the E-diff was a full locking diff - and that it either locks up or it doesn't. But evidently it works more like a limiting slip diff.

If it locked up going down the shops and I turned a corner, if it was locked, then it would be putting stress into the drivetrain, which would not be a good thing.

Anyhow - its irrelavent to me since I cannot retro fit one (without the genius of Graeme).

And since people aren't fitting front lockers which do seem to be available - then perhaps such extra tech is not necessary over the L322's fairly capable brake based anti slip technology.

ARB should pay you several thousand dollars Graeme because you would be able to put a kit together which would allow ARB to be able to get their rear locking diff working in our L322 generation vehicles. I'd certainly be tempted although with my Prado 90 series (bought new and I still have it) its not got through anywhere yet and its got a lot less capability than the D4 (although it is much much lighter). I reckon the locking diff is great for extreme stuff and - touch wood - hopefully I won't miss it. I've read some AOR van users in sandy conditions turn on their E-diffs and they report that they feel better and life improves when they do that! But then, not many AOR van users have Land Rovers - 50% would have 200 series, and they spend heaps on those getting them decent.

The amazing thing about the Disco is that its capable off the show room floor.

Originally Posted by Melbourne Park

I had thought the E-diff was a full locking diff - and that it either locks up or it doesn't. But evidently it works more like a limiting slip diff.

No your understanding is wrong on both counts - the E-Diff is like the centre diff in a D3/D4 - the computer provides the amount of lock required as needed -this can range from an open diff to a fully locked diff with any thing in between - basically the same as the centre diff does.

It is not a limited slip diff, but I guess it can be seen as being similar when the e-diff is operating in a partial locked position.

Attached is the relevant page out of the ARB catalogue. It seems that locker RD217 will go into the front of a D4 but as you have determined there is no listing for a rear locker.

So if you want a locker why not go for a front one?

ARB Air Locker by Garry Collins, on Flickr

Originally Posted by Melbourne Park

I've read some AOR van users in sandy conditions turn on their E-diffs

Are you referring to vehicles with lockers or e-diffs? E-diffs are 100% electronically controlled, not switched by the driver.

Originally Posted by Graeme

Are you referring to vehicles with lockers or e-diffs? E-diffs are 100% electronically controlled, not switched by the driver.

Oh I thought it gets engaged when you go to off road mode. The people mentioned E-Diff, but perhaps they have 3rd party lock up rear diffs.