Diff lockers and cost comparison

**dungarover** · 18th February 2007, 01:43 PM

Okay, my turn now

A. What type You have? Maxi Drives front and rear

B. How easy was it to install (for those that self installed)? Rear was off one of my previous Rangies I bought, but had it re-fittred to the 87 diff housing by Ricks 4WD. Front was also fitted by Rick

C. Inital impression? Fan-bloody-tastic. I can now give the Rangie a flogging and not worry about breaking **** and haven't done so yet

D. Test of time results?

Rear - I have had on 4 Rangies and it originally got hold of it in '98 off my second Rangie (84 pov pack with Chrysler 727 auto).

Front - Fitted in Jan '05 which replaced the ARB air locker (10 spline) as I had planned on going 'up' in the tyre department eventually and did so recently and wanted no axle breakage

E. Extras you had to purchase as a result of the locker?

Rear - Had to buy a new harness as the old one had gone brittle and was fitted too close to the exhaust by the previous owner

(on the 84 Rangie). The rear actuator played up but was easily rectified by adjusting the grub screw on the selector to prevent it from jamming when it would disengage.

Front - Nil, been trouble free to date

F. And most importantly....how much did it cost?

Rear - 'Pawned' off the 84 Rangie, fitted to the 93 Rangie, then on a 83 Rangie and now on the 87 Rangie so really bar the cost of the harness ($60 in 2000) plus the mounting block for the actuator ($40) it's been a cheap

Front - Total inc. fitting was $2350. I also had to buy a new mounting block for the fitment onto the 87 axle housing for $60 so all up it's been $2410. I also used the funds I got for the Air locker I sold ($700) to releive the cost a bit.

They're not cheap, but well worth the money and after you see what work goes into the manufacturing of them you know where your hard-earned is going. I prefer vaccum opperation since it's not reliant on an air compressor. Regardless youcna lock and unlock your maxi-drive even by hand if the actuator plays up.

Maxi's IMO are the only choice for old Rangies and early Discos. Later Discos with 24 spline axles as std an ARB air locker will suffice and you can upgrade to maxi-drive axles later on when you either need to or can afford to.

Trav

**PeterM** · 18th February 2007, 05:09 PM

I've put a deposit down on a maxi for the rear. $1630 for the kit, which compared favourably with an ARB with maxi axles.

Fitting shouldn't be a hassle and I'm guessing an ear to ear grin once it's done.

Defender200Tdi · 19th February 2007, 08:46 AM

If you're going to fit the Maxidrives yourself, this might be of some use:

http://forums.lr4x4.com/index.php'showtopic=3843

Paul

**Redback** · 19th February 2007, 09:35 AM

I have a Maxidrive & axles in the rear.

Price for the kit from Maxidrive $2,500 fitted $3,700 at B Davis, could of had it supplied and fitted at Roverland for $2750 but the drive down and back + accomadation would have made it more.

This was the cheapest i could find in Sydney.

How does it work, well it's good if i remember to use it.

George130, is your Maxi differant, the reason i ask is i thought they were vacuum operated not air, mine works off the aircon pump.

Baz.

**dobbo** · 19th February 2007, 09:40 AM

Originally Posted by Redback

George130, is your Maxi differant, the reason i ask is i thought they were vacuum operated not air, mine works off the aircon pump.

Baz.

Baz your right all maxi's are run from a vacuum operation

**waynep** · 19th February 2007, 10:04 AM

Originally Posted by Redback

I have a Maxidrive & axles in the rear.

Price for the kit from Maxidrive $2,500 fitted $3,700 at B Davis, could of had it supplied and fitted at Roverland for $2750 but the drive down and back + accomadation would have made it more.

This was the cheapest i could find in Sydney.

How does it work, well it's good if i remember to use it.

George130, is your Maxi differant, the reason i ask is i thought they were vacuum operated not air, mine works off the aircon pump.

Baz.

That sounds a little pricey my rear MaxiDrive was $2500 fitted. 2 yrs ago ( Range Rove in Melb ) - Ritters quoted me the same.

**p38arover** · 19th February 2007, 10:29 AM

I had a MaxiDrive on my '86 RR - I picked up the complete rear end - disc to disc for $800 exchange (I had to give him my old rear axle). I was very happy.

I never used it and it was sold on with the car.

Ron

**isuzurover** · 19th February 2007, 01:54 PM

Originally Posted by Redback

George130, is your Maxi differant, the reason i ask is i thought they were vacuum operated not air, mine works off the aircon pump.

Maxi-Drive are designed to be vacuum operated, but can be air operated just by switching the pipes around.

I have no vacuum system on my IIA, so mine is operated by an on-board (air con) compressor. The supply for the locker is regulated to 15psi, as Mal said that is the equivalent vacuum pressure, and any higher than 20psi would bend the actuator fork.

**Tank** · 19th February 2007, 02:43 PM

Originally Posted by Larns

Not bad responses. Sounds like people are pretty happy with their lockers no matter what type they have.
Realisticly how how often have people really need the front diff locked?

I have ARB's front and rear with 4.11 gearing with Maxi-Drive axles and Flanges also 110 defender H/D CVs, haven't had anything break, 33" Muddies fitted. I only use the front locker (with the rear of course) on really steep loose rocky tracks just as insurance against sudden slip of the open diff causing extra stress on one axle, with the locks in I haven't found a track that I cant get my 93 Disco through, the seal in the air locker mechanism in the rear diff is allowing diff oil to be sucked up to the compressor, but it is only a matter of a few hours work to fix, would not own a 4WD without them, if there are any sharp turns to be made when going up a track it's a good idea to not lock or disengage the front locker, unless you want to drive straight ahead, very hard to steer, Regards Frank.

**Redback** · 19th February 2007, 02:47 PM

Originally Posted by waynep

That sounds a little pricey my rear MaxiDrive was $2500 fitted. 2 yrs ago ( Range Rove in Melb ) - Ritters quoted me the same.

Roverlands $2750 was the cheapest quote i got for the DII, which didn't include the new rear shaft and spacer to suit.

The Maxidrive and axles from Mal at Maxidrive was $2500 without fitting if i bought them myself.

Baz.

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