Thread: Diff lockers for Defender HardTop 2009

Originally Posted by robglewis

I had another chat to Gordon at Opposite Lock and he suggested I fit a LSD on the front and a elocker on the back...he apparently has his Defender set up this way, and thinks it's the way to go. He does not feel that a rear axle upgrade is necessary...as he suggests it is easier to repair/replace an axle when out in the wilderness than the other stuff...so a better option to get home...THOUGHTS gentlemen?

Since you re-quoted my post I'll address your question comprehensively.

To start with I respect Gordon's opinion and during the 110 build followed many of his recommendations including fitting an ATB (Ashcroft unit not the tru-trac that Opp Lock advocate). I did go against this opinion on the upgrade of rear axles with a locked rear. I don't speak against those that advocate HD axles on a locked diff. For the $800 for rear axles, why skimp when you are already spending good coin. I employed that safeguard and am appreciative of the peace of mind that snapping an axle is in the "less likely" class of fears when out bush. I appreciate Gordon's point of view but differ on that subject. If you drive with sympathy to your drive line you shouldn't experience catastrophic failure out bush. Wear and tear yes, catastrophic not as likely. What I'm addressing is Gordon's warning that it's better to snap an axle than mash a transfer case.

Returning to the Ashcroft ATB. It's a good bit of kit and served me well. In the 130 I went with a locker because of the driving I prefer to do and that type of driving found the limits of the ATB. It was also a result of limited suspension travel and lifting front wheels which makes an ATB into an open diff on a truck without TC. I ran around up and down tough tracks and the Cape with the ATB front, maxi drive rear combo and there is no doubt it will take you 95% of the places a twin locked truck will take you. You might need to attend to track prep but that's all part of the fun of being in low range. Another point not discussed in this post thus far (been discussed ad nauseum in other posts of similar topic) is if you go the ATB route there is the saving of not having (read compulsory for peace of mind) to buy very expensive HD CV's and axles for the front diff. I flogged my 110 with the ATB and didn't experience a snapped CV. I was mindful of not loading it up with the wheels turned and tried to (in reality probably different) back off the gas if the first bite of the challenge didn't get me through.

Both Weeds and Rangieman make a good point about choice but they miss my point if they interpreted that front lockers is the sole domain of technical crawling. I didn't say that it was, merely expressing that each diff type has its target application. I also intentionally limited my opinion to the front diff. A distinction not drawn in the criticism by Weeds and Rangieman. Nice to have the choice to go to a knife fight with a sawn off shotgun. But you wouldn't want to go to a shootout with a knife.

If you are relatively new to 4wd'ing and still finding your feet or simply new to Land Rovers learn to drive it to its capability first and learn through experience what you really need as opposed to what you really would like.

My truck will be in with Gordon for a week from 30 Aug for work. Feel free to go and crawl over it and ask him what's done and his views. Naturally his views will be more conservative than mine and his views may accord with your needs. There is no wrong on this topic of lockers, just different needs, budgets and expectations.

Rest assured no matter what you land on, you will want more, different or perceived to be better in a short time. Nature of the beast and doesn't help hanging out with trucks that do not appear to be limited in capability.

MLD

Originally Posted by weeds

So that would mean carrying spare axles, drive flanges and what ever else the gets damaged when the axle fails

My maxi-drive axles have been in for 200 000km......zero sign of wear. Good value for money and piece of mine........one less thing to carry and replace in the wilderness.

+1. I don't know why I got rid of my maxi axles.

....................and to the don't upgrade axles fans, when you have to pull the diff out to remove the twisted spline end you would wish you had upgraded axles.

I have had just about everything, my current set up is Ashcroft front (Ashcroft everything) and elocker rear (only because I had never had one before and 35 spline over kill). As for auto unlocking diffs, I would never fit another one, I would save my money for any of the manual lockers. If money is a problem fit a manual locker in the rear only. When you can afford it fit another manual locker in the front................and upgrade your axles as you do the locker.

High speed spinning wheels coming to an abrupt halt breaks axles, lockers allow you to go slow so the chance of you spinning a wheel and snapping an axle or cv are reduced. If you want to see how not to drive with lockers watch a few 4wd Action dvd's.

Rick