RRC difflock? Quick question

[JimmyG40]

Hi, I'm fairly new to offroading but I'm well aware of the importance of a centre diff. Am I right in thinking that a range rover classic 3.9 auto(about 1990 onwards cos that's what I shall be shortly buying) dies not have specific manual operated  diff lock, so for instance when I'm needing to do a steep decent, how can I be sure I have the front and rear axles locked together. It may be stupid question so sorry if I sound silly.
Your feedback would be greatly appreciated
Thanks
Jimmy

[ChrisV8]

Most likely will have a BW viscous diff in the transfer, fully automatic works on slippage of drive from front to rear. If you want manual control you will have to change the trasfer box for an LT230

[JimmyG40]

Ok, cool. I shall do a little research on that transfer box then. I guess they are fitted to older models?

[squaddie_fox]

The borg warner viscous box is very good. I've had it in a couple of mine and never had a problem with it. A bit pointless changing the transfer box if there is nothing wrong with the one you have.

[Range Rover Blues]

The Borg-Warner transfger box is a brilliant bit of kit for what the RRC had become by 1990.  It is fully automatic and unlike an LSD it stidffens up depending on the rate of slippage rather than the amount of power being transmitted.

It does have on big drawback though, it does not lock up totally.  Once you are near stationary or stationary it does very little to halt the progress of a 2-tonne vehicle so when you park up on a green lane or try to use it as a winch-platform to recover a second vehicel you have a handbrake on only 2 wheels.  This has been a problem for me a couple of times already.

Counter that against how much it improves the RRC on road, the tendency to understeer is cured and if anything the car handles like a RWD on the limit, it's great in ice and snow because it is locked up sufficiently to drive unless there is enough grip to turn the viscous unit. 

So for an upmarket luxury car that occasionally goes down some lanes or accross grass, drives in bad weather, tows etc etc it's great.

plus it's quiter than an LT230 with little or no backlash when new.

[JimmyG40]

Oh ok, that's good then. To be honest I probably wouldn't have bothered changing it, for the general playing around I would like to be doing it will be perfectly adequate.
Thanks though very much for your input, it had certainly made me understand them more, ta!!!

[dod51e]

REally just echo RRB's comments.  I have the Transfer box referred to.  Works great off road....many miles laning and many days playing on sites.  As far as winching goes I would always sit in the vehicle with my foot on the foot brake as the transfer brakes always have the reputation of not being that strong.

[squaddie_fox]

or turn the front wheels and chock all 4. You can be out of the way in case a recovery point or the rope fails...