DIFF LOCKS ON A D4....

[ramblingboy42]

I saw a D4 recently with air lockers front and rear.

I was wondering if this was necessary given the D4's pretty good traction control system.

I believe you can option a rear e-diff lock.

Just interested in others viewpoints and if the D4 has need of extra traction capability.

Den.

[Celtoid]

As I'm sure you are aware there are limitations with difflockers even in a standard car .... wind up and lack of steering. They are either on or they are off.

The beauty of the LR ediffs is the fact that they are seamless and only come on as required, adapts to the driving conditions and the settings selected in the car and only come on as much as required. You have no wind up issues. Driver doesn't need to stop or alter selections on the fly … the system just works in the background automatically. Steering is a moot point as I don't think LR do front ediffs (?).

I'd be concerned how lockers affect the traction control system in an LR …. it could confuse the system and create negative results.

[l00kin4]

In this thread discussing the merits of the rear e-diff (Active rear E-Differential), admittedly a few years old now, Gordon states:

"The 2012/2013 models Terrain Response is so good, that unless you're doing serious rock-crawling or heavy mud-plugging (aka Malaysian Rainforest), I doubt that you'd notice the difference."

Presumably each year brings improvement so this would be even more applicable to later versions.

I'm sure there will be other opinions too.

David

[Geedublya]

Checking the ARB catalogue shows the front locker available for D3 and D4 and the rear only for D3. I thought the front was not suitable for the D4 as well but maybe that changed.

I guess you could put ARB lockers on a D4 by installing D3 diffs.

The big advantage the lockers would give is the ability to continue driving if you broke a CV joint. I don't think lockers would be a problem for traction control in a normal situation as there would be no difference in wheel speed across the diff and the traction control would not operate.

[Bohica]

I'd be concerned how lockers affect the traction control system in an LR …. it could confuse the system and create negative results.

The traction control is triggered from the unequal, faster spin of a wheel. If you have a diff locker on, both wheels on that axle will spin at the same speed. Traction control will not initiate on those wheels.

[Celtoid]

The traction control is triggered from the unequal, faster spin of a wheel. If you have a diff locker on, both wheels on that axle will spin at the same speed. Traction control will not initiate on those wheels.

Yup makes sense in a fully locked situation. My point being, why did LR go to the trouble of developing graded electronic locking (you can see that occurring on your 4X4 screen) if there isn't any merit in it? Why not just develop a system that does this: "detect loss of traction - fully engage ediffs"?

Maybe it won't be an issue, just not as precise/adaptive/whatever else? But there must have been a reason driving the development of the LR TC system to a system that is incremental.

Back to the original question …. is it worth the expense on a newer D4 when the TC has been upgraded and improved since first release to the point where even guys using the cars in pretty taxing conditions were commenting that the improved performance of a rear ediff was only going to benefit in a small % of conditions? Not scientific I know :-)

[Geedublya]

Yup makes sense in a fully locked situation. My point being, why did LR go to the trouble of developing graded electronic locking (you can see that occurring on your 4X4 screen) if there isn't any merit in it? Why not just develop a system that does this: "detect loss of traction - fully engage ediffs"?

Maybe it won't be an issue, just not as precise/adaptive/whatever else? But there must have been a reason driving the development of the LR TC system to a system that is incremental.

Back to the original question …. is it worth the expense on a newer D4 when the TC has been upgraded and improved since first release to the point where even guys using the cars in pretty taxing conditions were commenting that the improved performance of a rear ediff was only going to benefit in a small % of conditions? Not scientific I know :-)

Locked diffs make steering difficult. Traction control which brakes individual wheels only when required and E-Diffs allow slippage when required to give steering accuracy and can be used seamlessly off-road and on-road without user intervention. Often with lockers you need to read the terrain and engage before hand.

[Celtoid]

Locked diffs make steering difficult. Traction control which brakes individual wheels only when required and E-Diffs allow slippage when required to give steering accuracy and can be used seamlessly off-road and on-road without user intervention. Often with lockers you need to read the terrain and engage before hand.

Always understood the steering issue in the front (if you had a front locker) but thinking about it, it could actually be detrimental to how the bum reacts by possibly dragging a wheel when turning. Is that your take on it?

If so, it potentially means that an air-locking system may be less effective than the standard TC? Thoughts?

[geoffmc]

One of the other benefits of the e-diff, is that it is a more heavy duty and robust unit, which would suit heavy duty towing duties.

cheers
GEoff

[DiscoJeffster]

One of the other benefits of the e-diff, is that it is a more heavy duty and robust unit, which would suit heavy duty towing duties.

cheers
GEoff

Well maybe, but given I’ve not heard of a single rear diff failure I’d suggest it’s not a factor. Fronts fail but most relate to poor lubrication which comes from the poor filter on the bleeder.