Diff locks and tyres

[McDisco]

So, anticipating a reasonably good tax return this year I had decided to retire my very tired BFG At's which are my around town tyres. The tires have worn unevenly (due to not checking pressures regularly) so the two front ones are stuffed while the rears are still reasonably ok. The spare is practically brand new having only being used once when I had a flat.

But, after a few hard Toolangi trips and realising that I cant afford a Rangie as an offroad toy I have decided that difflocks are needed so that I can do slightly harder tracks without having to rely on momentum. I run BFG muddies offroad and they are good but I think I need more traction control than TC can offer.

So firstly, I am thinking of sticking with the ATs for a little longer, buying a new tyres and putting the spare on the car. My question is, should the two new tyres go on the front for maximum steering and grip or should they go on the back? Also, is there any problem running older and newer tyres together given the difference in size?

Secondly, I am wondering about what diff locks I should be getting. I was thinking of Maxi's but given they are now shut down are they still available? I was thinking also that they might be a bit expensive. Then I thought ARB difflocks which have a good rep. Do I need to upgrade axels to do these or is it something I should leave to later?

Well thats my predicament...any advice would be good...

Cheers

Angus

[mickashay]

hi angus how u been,jack mac are doing diff locks as well that are same as arb but not cheap,up grade your axles at the same time no point breaking them later with the pressure of the diff lock,then again they may not,u can still get maxi axles for around 700 per diff,a maxi locker will be hard to find unless u know someone pulling theres out,
cheers mate

[Slunnie]

Id go one of the new generation muds x4 as single set rather than mixing everything up. The newer muds drive well, grip well, dont vibrate and are quieter than the older type muds. Perhaps not less traction than BFG AT's but will still be noiser on the road.

Lockers. JacMac lockers I think are as good as they get, but I couldn't handle dealing with Jeff there... so I went ARB. ARB I think have revised their designs... I think, so hopefully they're as good as the JacMac/TJM lockers now. Axles you will break eventually, but just treat the factory ones with respect and they will keep going.

[Psimpson7]

I would say just go for the ARB's and dont worry too much to start with about changing the axles.

I run ARB's on 33" Mts and have only ever broken 1 shaft.

They aren't that weak.

Ended up on full lock, with both lockers in today, on a rocky face, having to use a few revs, and all fine!

Having said that if you can afford to do them all at the same time, its not a bad idea.

Pete

[953]

Angus Im a little confused.
If u want the lockers ,so be it.
But I thought u had Bfg`s muddies in a size 265/75? With plenty of meat on them? That with traction control should c u right in most situations?
If you`re at all interested in a swap of the Bfg muddies 4 my Jt2`s let me know. They`re a little over the top 4 what I do most the time.
Cheers Dean.

[McDisco]

Id go one of the new generation muds x4 as single set rather than mixing everything up. The newer muds drive well, grip well, dont vibrate and are quieter than the older type muds. Perhaps not less traction than BFG AT's but will still be noiser on the road.

Simon - I already run 265/75 BFG muddies as my offroad and touring tyres. I am very happy with them and definately will be getting the new generation muddies when they are available in my size (and when these ones are flogged)

Angus Im a little confused.
If u want the lockers ,so be it.
But I thought u had Bfg`s muddies in a size 265/75? With plenty of meat on them? That with traction control should c u right in most situations?
If you`re at all interested in a swap of the Bfg muddies 4 my Jt2`s let me know. They`re a little over the top 4 what I do most the time.
Cheers Dean.

Thanks for the offer Dean - see above though. Very happy with the muddies as they are good for Toolangi but good for touring. They are good in most situation but on a few trips the TC and centre diff just isnt enough. Especially in rocky terrain I was finding I needed more right boot to make it. I want more control and think a rear locker will make all the difference.

And thanks for the offer, but after trying a mates ETs I dont think I could deal with Simexes as my only onroad tyre. Muddies are good for me.

Angus

[McDisco]

hi angus how u been,jack mac are doing diff locks as well that are same as arb but not cheap,up grade your axles at the same time no point breaking them later with the pressure of the diff lock,then again they may not,u can still get maxi axles for around 700 per diff,a maxi locker will be hard to find unless u know someone pulling theres out,
cheers mate

Mick - been good mate. Just got back from my Simpson trip. I was staying off the day trip for a while as I didnt want to break anything, but now Im back Im wanting to hit the hills again. I just think I need a locker to keep up with you and Stirling!!

Your disco is looking a lot different from the last time I saw it.

Angus

[V8Landy]

I run Jacmac lockers with standard axles they seem fine just treat them with a bit of respect

[mike 90 RR]

When it comes to tyres that are to used for the everyday tarmac use
Allways go with ""4 new ones please"" ... don't care what you do in the bush ..but on the road ..thats where good tyres with new tread counts

Just trade the old ones in

My thoughts anyway