How important is a Diff Lock on green lanes ?

[Brian the Sn@il]

Been looking at a few new 4x4 Pickups.
It seems the trend is now away from a Diff Lock.

In my mind a Diff lock is very important offroading.
Im only planning to do green laning and some off road courses.

But if wheels start to spin then there is only 1 wheel at the fron at the opposite rear wheel spinning ?

But with a diff lock all 4 will spin.

What are your views - is a diff lock important ?

[TimM]

Diff locks are NOT improtant at all, not in the slightest.....











Until you get stuck!

Don't do something you will regret later, if you think you want a diff lock, then you will kick yourself if you find yourself in a situation where you need one and haven't got one.
 

[muddyweb]

A centre diff lock is there to do a job... maintain traction.   The reason that a lot of vehicles don't have one these days is that they are designing different ways to achieve this.

The Disco 2 for example uses the braking system to manage the traction control, and on a lot of levels it works very well.

So, a centre diff lock isn't an essential item per-se...  some form of traction management generally is though...  hope that makes sense

[Eeyore]

Diff locks are NOT improtant at all, not in the slightest.....

Until you get stuck!

Yep, then you'll have wished you'd had it and engaged it!

Like Muddyweb says, some form of traction control (beyond the too often applied 'knarliest tyres and knarlier right foot' combination) is essential for the safe, sustained and sustainable travel along green lanes.

This can be achived either mechanically via a centre diff, or electronically via the braking system. Which ever, something is required. As for which system is better - well, thats another argument altogether.

cheers
 8)
Eeyore

[Hightower]

The Disco 2 for example uses the braking system to manage the traction control, and on a lot of levels it works very well.

And on many it's pants, which is why I retro fitted a CDL to mine.  Well worth the effort IMHO.

[Budgie]

Been looking at a few new 4x4 Pickups.
It seems the trend is now away from a Diff Lock.

When you say 4x4 Pickups, is that the likes of the L200 & Hi-Lux?

I know some of the later Hi-Lux's have an electric opporated difflock on the rear axle, but I'm not sure if the L200 is fitted with anything.
These are normally 2 wheel drive on the road and 4 wheel drive can be selected, same as the Series Landrovers.
This means that they don't need a central difflock as the power is evenly distributed to the front & rear when 4WD is selected on the transfer box.

Defenders, Discoverys & Range Rovers are perminent 4WD and need the central difflock disengauged on the road to stop one axle driving faster than the other on the road and thus avoiding "windup" in the transfer box.

The rear axle difflock is a "nice to have" if you can find a truck with it fitted but they are quite capable motors without it as well.  

I hope that lot makes sence.  :D

[laser_jock99]

Diff locks are NOT improtant at all, not in the slightest.....

Until you get stuck!

....and even then having difflocks won't necessarily help you!

The only times I've had to be towed out while green laning the car had become bogged down in deep mire and well dug-in on all four corners in tractor ruts. You know the kind sticky clay stuff I mean! I've got no difflocks on my car but I don't think it would have helped on either of those occasions. However I could have easily winched myself out (...if I only had one fitted!).

Having said that- fitting a rear axle difflock is on my 'to do' list as it's better to have one than not. Thinking (or dreaming rather) of an ARB airlocker (£££££££) for the rear axle. Just need to convince SWMBO it's a sound investment.

[Landy90IOM]

Just need to convince SWMBO it's a sound investment.

just say it will ensure that you will get home in time for dinner... sure she will understand  

[Brian the Sn@il]

GReat input guys, you may remeber my posts regarding the 4x4 to buy.

Things are moving on and will be able to make a desision soon :)

I really dont know what i could have done without the input and advice this site has provided me with  :lol:

[Manicminer]

My motor has a Transfer box which has been mentioned earlier. I have 2WD High for normal road use, 4WD High for snowy/icy or sandy conditions which I can shift 'on the fly' at speeds of up to 60 MPH. I also have 4WD Low box for the more serious stuff. I do not need a central Difflock as I have no central diff.
On the rear axle I have a Limited Slip Diff which means that when I loose traction, I have 3 wheels spinning as opposed to 2 on a normal 4X4 (1 on opposite corners). This usually means that I will not cross-axle.
The only problem is when I'm stuck I *am* stuck :roll:

Most Pick-ups will have similar setups with the LSD as an option.

[Bulli]

Brian, a difflock will NOT keep all 4 whells spinning. There are 2 distinct types , centre and axle. The onle you may have looked at are more likely to be centre difflocks. That means that you will have 1 wheel on each axle getting power, without it you only have to have 1 wheel in the air and you are stuck. The difflock ensures that if you lose traction on 1 axle you will have it on the other....well until you lose traction there as well.
The axle difflocks mean that on each axle both wheels are driven , no matter what. They need to be disenaged on surfaces that offer grip to stop transmission windup. If you can get a difflock get it. The best way to avoid getting stuck in ruts is to have bigger tyres though! :D

[muddyweb]

The best way to avoid getting stuck in ruts is to have bigger tyres though! :D

The best way is to avoid driving in them in the first place ;-)

[robbie]

The L200 only has 4wd High/Low with no diff lock, but it does have limited slip diff, ont sure if it is both front and rear. Similar setup to my Shogun Sport and I have been in the same terrain as Disco's with diff lock. I just find I need to take perhaps a different approach, route, or whatever to take into consideration the way the Sport handles compared with the Disco.

[Miniman]

Its quite simple. When you get a front and a rear wheel off the ground and they are spinning just dab the brakes it works for me and I have proved it up at Briercliffe. I went across a ditch and had both a front and rear oposite sides off the ground by a foot each dabbing the brakes works.... try it...

[Bulli]

i like the plan ,avoiding ruts is always the easiest option and therefore the best. Lanes in Lincs and Derbyshire dont always make it possible though.
The worst feeling ever is to try and straddle a rut only to slip across it...then the fun really starts!! :(