My 33" muddies win almost every time... the times I have needed to use the rear diff lock can be counted on one hand while holding a stubby :D
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My 33" muddies win almost every time... the times I have needed to use the rear diff lock can be counted on one hand while holding a stubby :D
IMHO lockers are only worth having once your vehicle has exceeded the grip level of its terrain appropriate tyres and/or can not maintain active contact with the track of all 4 tyres from its upward or down ward suspension travel (generally in trouble when down to 2, but sometimes 3 can still be an issue).
After these two I would say lockers would be the item I would rate third when traction is an issue... however, I would be (and am) putting a winch on my vehicle(s) before spending on lockers. You could argue that if you flick on the lockers you wouldn't need to use the winch... but then lockers aren't as much help to others as a winch is, although you could argue snatching with lockers (is that recommended?) may still be as helpful to others(?!?).
More than once, I have passed double locked vehicles going no where because I have had excellent off road tyres and decent suspension travel keeping all four in contact with the track and not bottoming out. When tyres and suspension fail I will often rely on power and momentum to be my friends!
Perhaps most importantly of all, I often find myself picking smarter (and more mechanically sympathetic) lines on a track to get to the end of it with as little pain and cost as possible.
Hooroo, Dave.
P.S. I still want lockers though... the High Country reminds me of this just about every trip out. I guess I would just like to be saying "yep" to every challenge instead of "err not today"!
I think this is turning into a bit of a locker versus non-locker debate. My opinion on this is that a decent traction control system can work every bit as effective as lockers without the risk of busting a diff. Only downside with TC is that you have to get bogged first before it it kicks in, where's diff-lock can be engaged before going through the difficult terrain. Now having said that, the Rangie is very off-road capable as it is, even more than their competitor, so only a mild extra aid should be sufficient.
So is a limited slip diff a better option?
Cheaper?
Less chance of breaking something?
I still think you would need to be doing what i would call sport driving to need lockers.
It is possible to get in and out of most tracks and trails in std trim in any Land Rover.
it all comes down to what sort of 4wding you want to do start with lift and bigger grippier tires then traction controll will get you a bit further, lockers will get you further again and a winch will take you anywhere so long as you have somewhere to hook it up to. you cant get ova things like this without lockers. just thought id add aswell with difflocks it allows you to take harder lines without having to flog the expletive out of it, you can just engage them and cwawl.
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I spend a fair bit of time off road. Had the rangie since 2006. Replaced the bad bits back then, motor, suspension and abs. Traveled over 360,000 kms now and have never needed recovery gear. Still carry it though.
The STD traction control is brilliant, coupled with common sense, you will be able to go wherever you like in a p38.
Best car on or off road.
If you want to thrash the crap out of your car, better off buying Toyota and treating it with this disrespect they deserve:o
Back on topic::D:angel: Just reviewed this thread... it's not just the ECU etc to consider: Wabco brake modulator also...the 4w traction control to my understanding had an upgraded modulator to go with the additional demands...