WELDING FRONT DIFF ON SERIES. WHAT U THINK.

[Miniman]

I was just sat in bed watching a landy dvd and it popped into my head. What about welding up the front diff on my series landy. I have been thinking why no. The only thing I can think of is I have a greater chance of doing in a half shaft and that is it. That is the only reason I can find why not to. Its a series so when not 4x4ing its out of 4x4 and the free wheeling hubs will give me my steering back.

Please if anybody can think why not let me know.
I have been thinking about it and I can't think of any reason not to.
Its a landy and the steering is a bad turning circle anyway so there be no difference there.

I think its a brill Idea......

Your input would be appreciated.

[dave_2A_2.25Turbo]

I can see your point, but steering would be extremely heavy on any surface that wasn't slippery. And you could even find that you lose traction when turning - don't forget that the diff is there to allow for the wheels travelling different distances round corners.

you might as well weld the back axle, hotrod/grasstrack style, instead - you'd keep the steering that way!

[Stormin]

Have you ever tried steering a two wheel drive tractor with the difflock engaged? :?   It just wants to go straight on. :roll:

[Miniman]

have you ever tried to steer a 4x4 landy with the difflock engaged. We talking a tracktor is rear wheel drive and the landy is 4x4. If i welded the rear diff up yes that would be silly it would drive straight. But on the front it be a bit different. I think jim is the one who has the good point half shaft probs....

[Xtremeteam]

have you ever tried to steer a 4x4 landy with the difflock engaged. We talking a tracktor is rear wheel drive and the landy is 4x4. If i welded the rear diff up yes that would be silly it would drive straight. But on the front it be a bit different. I think jim is the one who has the good point half shaft probs....

its actually the other way round,if you lock the rear diff solid it will steer ok,lock the front & it just goes straight on

[Miniman]

From the looks of your avatar it looks like they spin on the spot. ha ha.
Have you actualy had a diff locked on the front then and tryed it. Looks like my super Idea is going s**t. Cant weld the rear diff bad news fdor road work......dam looks like I have to get a tank instead.

[Xtremeteam]

that pic was taken from the begining of the year at a compsafari on private ground,& you would suprised the amount of water a 90 shifts at 60mph ish,
anyway back to the topic,

i havent personally done a welded diff on the front but ask any one with a locker n they will prob all say the same thing

[Miniman]

I have made my mind up anyway not going to do it. I did not realise it was water it looks like sand and wheels spinning. Water now that makes a dirrerence.

[dave_2A_2.25Turbo]

its actually the other way round,if you lock the rear diff solid it will steer ok,lock the front & it just goes straight on

Thanks for the support Mikee - I was beginning to feel outnumbered!

And yes I have driven a 2wd tractor with the difflock engaged

[ian_s]

i've seen triallers with the front diff welded up, and it makes for some interesting handling when off road
fiddle brakes on the rear are a must, or else it just wont turn.

[datalas]

The reason a diff was put in there in the first place was for the ackerman principle, one wheel (the one on the inside of the turn) doesn't travel as far as the one on the outside.

That's why most cars will have a diff on the driven axle...

[Wanderer]

If you weld up the front diff when you go round a corner, as mentioned, one wheel will HAVE to go faster than the other.
It can't!
So both wheels now HAVE to go at the same speed.
So one wheel will HAVE to lose traction and either spin or skid.

If you fancy losing grip on one wheel every time you turn a corner then by all means weld the diff up.

It's fine for off road only or banger racing on the rear wheels but NOT for on the road.

[Miniman]

We all know how a diff works but as I mentioned at the start for off road use ONLY. Yes on tarmac it would be very bad but if you are off road the wheels spin and slip very easy. I had an old diff and today I took the old one out and welded the other which is scrap anyway. Took it off road and its absolutley fine. I have video footage to prove it. Just have to get it off camera. I am not going to keep it in will change it again tomorrow as like Jim-Willy says Half shafts will break. It is fine off road the turning circle is very slightley reduced but a landy has no turning circle anyway. You can tell a very big difference when on hills the grip is fantastic but I can see that the halfshaft bill will also be fantastic. Cheers for the input guys.

Also leaves alot more mess on grass....LOL

[strapping young lad]

Have you ever tried steering a two wheel drive tractor with the difflock engaged? :?   It just wants to go straight on. :roll:

have you tried it when you use the independent brakes around corners

much fun!

[Miniman]

no but I have seen it. they look like fun... But yes in a tracktor great when you have a tight corner to get around...

[Wanderer]

We all know how a diff works but as I mentioned at the start for off road use ONLY. Yes on tarmac it would be very bad but if you are off road the wheels spin and slip very easy. I had an old diff and today I took the old one out and welded the other which is scrap anyway. Took it off road and its absolutley fine. I have video footage to prove it. Just have to get it off camera. I am not going to keep it in will change it again tomorrow as like Jim-Willy says Half shafts will break. It is fine off road the turning circle is very slightley reduced but a landy has no turning circle anyway. You can tell a very big difference when on hills the grip is fantastic but I can see that the halfshaft bill will also be fantastic. Cheers for the input guys.

Also leaves alot more mess on grass....LOL

Miniman.

At no point in your original post does it say that it's for OFF ROAD use only.

You asked for views on doing it.
You got views that it is nothing short of lethal on an on road vehicle.

If you'd asked for views on using it OFF road you'd have got go for it but steering may suffer when you floor it.

[Miniman]

I do appologise i did not say off road I said 4x4ing. May be a little X wires there. Yes only OFF ROAD ( 4X4ing ). Well you don't 4x4 in a series landrover as you get axel windup. Its not nice. Hey come on we not all rich and can afford a 90 to break.

OK so I appologise if everyone thought I wanted to weld my diff up for on road. I was not clear enough. This is why I mentioned F W Hubs because it would not give me any probs on the road with the FW Hubs unlocked.

SORRY GUYS.....

Must be alot more clear next time. Slap hands for me...