Complete Diff Locker options thread

[Judo]

I think i paid $499 for my detroit "soft locker" last year so 2nd hand would want to be very cheap and why is it being sold?

Fair call. At that price you're right. (Where on earth did you find one for $499?)

And just so I'm clear, when you say "soft" locker, is that just the term used for the way the Detroit works, as in you can still go around corners and it will unlock? As opposed to being locked 100% of the time? So a Detroit soft locker, is just a Detroit?

Edit: $499 = good exchange rate?

[redrovertdi]

if you read other peoples replies in this post about the harshness of the detroit locker of old, the newer ones are are SL-soft locker, i only found this out when i posted a question about the shim position on this forum when i was installing! mine is the newer soft locker, very easy to fit in the salisbury and i wouldnt have known it was there on my first test drive until i stomped the go-fast pedal in the wet and spun both the rear wheels, sometimes i get a knock bang in the diff as it locks back after a tight turn but very rareley but if doing a tight turn in reverse on a slippery surface i can feel the outside wheel bite and drag/skid as it is locked- i am being very precious in mentioning these few points as it is very easy to live with and awesome off road[i average 1000ks a week], a week after installing the detroit i installed a trutrac in the front, also very happy, yes the steering returns to centre but took about a klm to get used to, only diference in driving style is not to stomp the go fast pedal in the wet when turning as it bites so its a matter of driving to the conditions, my 110 300tdi is an auto with a 3 inch pipe[highly reccomended] and a bigger intercooler with a water cooled turbo. I would reccomend the trutrac and detroit locker gladly to any body, my car[my only registered car] does get used on and off road

[Cosmic Tourist]

For a complete diff locker thread I'm surprised no-ones mentioned Kams.
I've also found reference to Herero lockers, apparently a helical coil type lsd with option of full locker. Has anybody heard more about them? If its possible to do,maybe Dave Ashcroft could knock one up

[isuzurover]

For a complete diff locker thread I'm surprised no-ones mentioned Kams.

Kam have been mentioned if you search - maybe not in this thread though(?)
They are not easy to fit, and technically need prior engineering approval due to the extent of cutting and welding on the axle housing needed to fit them.

I've also found reference to Herero lockers, apparently a helical coil type lsd with option of full locker. Has anybody heard more about them? If its possible to do,maybe Dave Ashcroft could knock one up

I had never heard of these... They sound good, but price would probably be above the competition once landed here.
http://www.herero4x4.it/english/sche...erenziali1.swf

[jakeslouw]

Weird.........Herero is a tribe in Namibia.

[MLD]

You can add Harrop E-locker for a Salisbury to the list.

MLD

[VladTepes]

MR Automotive sell maxi lockers for the first salisbury diff and they do eaton e-lockers (which I think are = harrup? ) for the rover diff up front

I don't know anything about the e-lockers, can anyone provide further info?

Also is the eaton available for the sals as well?

[MLD]

Also is the eaton available for the sals as well?

That's what I was told by Opposite Lock Sydney South today. Gordon fitted one to his 300 Tdi. Fitted +/- $2,000. The unit is about $1650. Nice to have 1 switch and no leaking air hoses to contend with.

To avoid confusion Harrop are the local importer of Eaton products. Funny enough you can't buy them in the USA. I ask GBR to source one and he equally was interested to get his hands on them but to no avail because Eaton don't sell them in the US. That was over 12 months ago so things may have changed.

Earlier in the thread manual lockers for the sals were listed. I won't repeat them. I can confirm that MR Auto are selling the sals maxi locker. I fitted one to my sals in mid 2011.

As for info on the E-locker - not wishing to fob you off but Google is your best resource. Plenty of information how they work. In short it uses a magnet to engage the dog. Power the magnet to engage, disconnect power to the magnet to disengage. The technology has been around 20 odd years. If memory serves me correct there was an e-locker variety in the early Pajeros. True to form LR is a late adopter of technology. That explains the lack of info on them in the LR fraternity.

MLD

[VladTepes]

I don't think LR is a late adapter of technology - in Terrain response they have been innovators !

But that's by the by - I wonder whether an e-locker or maxi would be the better option for the rear (sals) diff ?

[MLD]

I didn't intend to start a discussion on early adoption. When i typed it my mind was on the defender not necessarily the disco or rangie.

As an exercise of ease of instal the e-locker triumphs over the maxi. For the e-locker it is a matter of drilling a hole in the diff casing for the wire to pass through and then running wires to the relay and in cab switch. To do the Maxi would normally require the diff assembly to be removed from the truck. Some advocate putting the axles tube on a brace to avoid warping when welding the actuator onto the axle tube. After cutting and welding the actuator on the axle tube, then you have to put all the bits in and play around until satisfied it is engaging. At the other end you need to tap into the vacuum lines and fit a reserve tank for vacuum and run lines to the diff. Not overly difficult but certainly more steps involved and if you are paying someone to install it, the extra labour costs $$.

That said, from memory I paid about $2,900 for the maxi installed. I was quoted $2,000 to install an E-locker then add $800 for HD half shafts and flanges. Much of a muchness at the end of the day. The E-locker was not available when I fitted the maxi.

I can't speak for the design strength of the e-locker compared to the maxi. For the average punter running around on 33" tyres or even 35" tyres I'd be surprised that you will find a shortcoming of the e-locker design. The maxi is tested and well documented.

MLD