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

[ozscott]

There is a letter asking about fitting diff lock to a D2 and whether its compatable. The author of the reply does not talk about compatability but makes the comment that he has driven D2s with just the traction control off road in a variety of circumstances and it has always taken what is thrown at it and he thinks that some people just dont trust electronics and thats about it.

That mirrors my experience largely with traction control only. I think traction control needs to be "driven" to get the best from it. I know that diff lock also might give some extra feel and present some (only a little) loss of momentum before etc cuts in, but overall its a great system (providing the braking system is well looked after) and serves very well.

I decided a little while ago to ditch the idea of not getting an output housing with the internals and to leave her standard.

I know that people who have done the diff lock are happy, but my point is to people considering it that its not a big deal in the end. Tyres and technique are far bigger aspects.

Cheers

[feraldisco]

I've heard that the TC set-up improved through the life of D2s, but on early ones (mine's a 99) TC alone is positively dangerous. It is so slow to respond and overly agressive when it does that even with 20psi and BFG A/T I was scrabbling all over the place - thankfully I have the option of engaging CDL which I now definitely do after that first code brown experience... You shouldn't have to hit the accelerator to get the TC to respond - that's a good way to break things and damage tracks. CDL and a more controlled approach is much more sensible...

[ozscott]

Thats intersting Feral...didnt know that they improved it but then again its just a computer progam so its easy to do. Mine is late 01 build and complianced 02 - very last of the rectangle headlights.

Cheers

[Redback]

A D2 with TC alone, will not get as far as a D2 with a CDL and TC engaged, i know this because i've tried it numerous times, not only that, the way the car handles with only the TC is god dam dangerous, with wheels spinning and the car bouncing and jumping sideways, it can make an easy hill bloody hard work.

It's even worse if your towing up hill with only TC, but as soon as you engage that centre Diff, the car just cruises up, in most situations with the CDL engaged, the TC won't even activate.

Baz.

[DaveF]

And speaking from recent experience, having the CDL you can still get home if your front shaft unis start chirping by removing the shaft before it goes BANG and drive with rear wheels only. I also found on a recent VHC trip after experimenting with CDL and non CDL hill ascents, having the CDL engaged along with ABS and TC the truck climbed loose tracks easier and almost zero wheel spin so environmentally friendly to boot.
Cheers
DaveF

Signature? I thought I had one, must have been mistaken....

[DiscoStew]

And speaking from recent experience, having the CDL you can still get home if your front shaft unis start chirping by removing the shaft before it goes BANG and drive with rear wheels only.

Having had the front prop shaft break and then finding out that this is quite common, I am going to get the CDL for that reason alone. But the rear diff lock will wait until a few other things get done.

[eckolsim]

When off-road I almost always use my CDL. That being said, the TC recently threw me sideways into a large rock causing quater panel damage. The guys with me said that all was going well until the TC kicked in and the car jumped. The track was rather challenging however, it was out at Menai with the suzuki club.

My panel beating skills are now improving.

[ozscott]

..arrhhh..but did the TC: get you up the hill

[John W]

I would have to agree with most of the comments having fitted a cable recently prior to my trip up Cape York. The traction control is a great system and will get you most places, but if you have an easy option to use your CDL like I did with my 99 model then go for it. It makes the world of difference in your confidence climbing up steep and loose trails. Yep, in the past I have made it through the Vic high country and other tracks on TC alone but always have to wait to get traction with loss of momentum and lots of funny TC noise and wheel spin and using a lot more boot. The other side of the coin is that you should use "hill descent" mode going down a slippery hill if you don't have a CDL as it would be possible to have 3 wheels running away while one is slipping under engine braking. Strikes me as a safety issue if your electronic TC has a failure.

[Zute]

Descending major uneven/rutted tracks can be quite dangerous. Ive been playing on quite difficult tracks that have had the hill decent just decide " nope to hard, and just cut out. this results in a sudden increase of speed down hill. With the CDL locked ( I just crawl under and lock it with a 10mm spanner ) its not a problem. I do the same tracks in my Zook (which has open front and rear diffs) more wheel spin, but feels safer.
Unlocked CDL and small hills have the TC sapping power. Locked and its not an issue. The best use for Hill descent is to give the ABS pump a work out after changing the brake fluid.
I have also been climbing a hill with the TC working, than lifted the throttle and had the disco suddenly roll backwards. I can only guess, this caused the TC to release the one wheel with no grip allowing power to go out throw this wheel. Oh what fun. Ive had to learn a new way to drive. A locked CDL would not have allowed this.
All I can say is, if you think TC is all you need, than your only doing easy tracks.