Diff lock - how do they work?

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Diff lock - how do they work?

Postby RockoWallaby on Fri Apr 09, 2010 5:21 am

Heya folks
After some info from the knowledgable lot out there, about how the diff locks in the MN work.
Didn't have an option for factory when buying, so wondered the following:
Can the factory type electric diff locks be fitted after market, and is it worth it for the cost?
What other after market options are people doing out there, in hydraulic?
Appreciate the advice
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Re: Diff lock - how do they work?

Postby Homer on Fri Apr 09, 2010 5:58 am

I only know of the ARB air locker for switch on/switch off style. Front are around $2,200 fitted including compressor etc - didn't price the rear as I like LSD for daily driving.

There are also automatic lockers (Detroit etc) which aren't my cup of tea, but people use them too.

This has some reasonable info on both: http://www.pps.net.au/4wdencounter/arti ... locks.html

I would have a go without the lockers on your MN first....one member I've spoken to reckons his goes better with his locker off because the locker switch cuts the T/C - which he reckons takes it nearly anywhere.
I believe he de-activates the ASC and away he goes.

Would be good for a few MN guys to get out there a bit hardcore like Ahmo does and give their impression....
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Re: Diff lock - how do they work?

Postby RockoWallaby on Fri Apr 09, 2010 6:41 am

Noddles. That seemed to be the consensus when I ordered, that the vehicle does very well without it. Plan on seeing how it goes for a while first. It was just a very cheap factory option, given the alter market alternatives.
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Re: Diff lock - how do they work?

Postby snowman on Fri Apr 09, 2010 8:47 am

rock o.

looks like your dog could do with a diff lock for those ears :) (very cool dog though)

the factory diff lock is not electric - it is air operated.

i agree with Homer, if you only have TC see how that goes first before spending a heap on lockers. i went locker on the ML because there was no TC and for $700 it was a bargain. there is probably plenty of other things to spend 2+ grand on first, like suspension, tyres and the list goes on.......
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Re: Diff lock - how do they work?

Postby NowForThe5th on Fri Apr 09, 2010 12:24 pm

Have a read of this:

http://www.4wdsystems.com.au/index.php?id=66

Note what they say about the front fitment giving the biggest improvement in ability, especially with an LSD as good as the Triton's rear.

The Lokka fits inside the diff carrier so when 2WD is selected the Triton engagement mechanism (which is outside the diff) would disengage the front wheels completely so you can have a locking diff when in 4WD and just the same as you do now when in 2WD (i.e. no drive to front).

The best of both worlds, really, and you can buy a bullbar with the change from what you were going to spend on an ARB.
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Re: Diff lock - how do they work?

Postby Homer on Fri Apr 09, 2010 12:45 pm

I looked at these initially a year or two ago 5th....for some reason I was put off them.

Maybe it was something written on another forum, but can't remember.

Anyone have any experience with them?
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Re: Diff lock - how do they work?

Postby NowForThe5th on Fri Apr 09, 2010 6:03 pm

Some people get confused between Lokka, Lockrite & Detroit lockers. Not all the same but get bundled into the same basket, generally by the pro-ARB crowd. I've been researching Lokka for some time and haven't found much against them when said by people who've actually had them. Getting very close to making the purchase, front only, and stay LSD at the rear.

Don't mean to hijack the thread but Rocko did ask what other options are out there.
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Re: Diff lock - how do they work?

Postby Naff on Fri Apr 09, 2010 6:16 pm

how much are the lokkas 5th? I was also looking at just doing the front with ARB.. but like everything ARB, its expensive..

the only thing I could think of is that with ARB you can choose when its on or off.. with the lokka you dont get that luxury... could you still fly down a dirt track at speed whilst in 4 hi with the lokka?
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Re: Diff lock - how do they work?

Postby al coholic on Fri Apr 09, 2010 7:51 pm

NaffX214 wrote:how much are the lokkas 5th? I was also looking at just doing the front with ARB.. but like everything ARB, its expensive..

the only thing I could think of is that with ARB you can choose when its on or off.. with the lokka you dont get that luxury... could you still fly down a dirt track at speed whilst in 4 hi with the lokka?


I'm interested in the price too......group buy
Naff, from reading the website, i think it is always locked in, and only unlocks when the outside tyre overruns the inside. So technically, it is even locked in while on the blacktop, but your front diff isnt operating, so it wont make a difference... ;)


Actually, it is probably only for those without superselect isnt it???? Because of the off chance you want to operate centre diff lock on wet or icy roads??? I knew the povo pack would prove the right choice one day. :lol:
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Re: Diff lock - how do they work?

Postby RockoWallaby on Sat Apr 10, 2010 7:09 am

snowman wrote:rock o.

looks like your dog could do with a diff lock for those ears :) (very cool dog though)



yeah, he's a good puppy.
Took him to the vet about the ear, tho.
They told me to pop him half a viagra every second day, and it'd fix it.
Didn't believe him at first, but he gave me a script, and I thought WTF...try it
Bloody expensive tho, but it worked! Has 2 erect ears now.
Seriously!
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Re: Diff lock - how do they work?

Postby ag9111 on Sat Apr 10, 2010 2:06 pm

:lol:
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Re: Diff lock - how do they work?

Postby borngeek on Sat Apr 10, 2010 2:12 pm

:shock: :lol:

he's a awesome looking pup!
i hope he just doesnt start raping everything that moves :lol:
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Re: Diff lock - how do they work?

Postby RockoWallaby on Sat Apr 10, 2010 2:52 pm

Well, I did catch him humping my lounge the other day.
But everyone knows that lounge is a tart ;)
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Re: Diff lock - how do they work?

Postby Homer on Sat Apr 10, 2010 4:52 pm

:lol: :lol: tried to download a clip of National Lampoons Christmas Vacation...."got a bit of Mississippi leg hound in him....word of warning though....if he does lay into ya...best to just let him finish.."

I started reading a fair bit on the Lokkas and they actually seem OK for non full time 4wd models.
I saw in 4wd action forum where 'Boof' on here has used them for years?

Boof...are you out there?
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Re: Diff lock - how do they work?

Postby NowForThe5th on Sun Apr 11, 2010 1:50 pm

$649, plus fitting (3-5 hours - don't know where Triton sits in this range but they say most people with basic mechanical ability could DIY)
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Re: Diff lock - how do they work?

Postby ahmo on Sun Apr 11, 2010 3:58 pm

if you are buying a new mn i would get the diff lock option only coz its so cheap
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Re: Diff lock - how do they work?

Postby Naff on Sun Apr 11, 2010 4:41 pm

NowForThe5th wrote:... but they say most people with basic mechanical ability could DIY)


Rules me out! :lol: But price is more than half that of the air lockers from ARB.. now you got me thinking 5th.
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Re: Diff lock - how do they work?

Postby NowForThe5th on Mon Apr 12, 2010 1:39 pm

ahmo, we're talking about the front and mainly for those who have LSD rear. The factory DL is a great value option and, unless really hard core 4WD, will get you nearly anywhere. Lokka don't seem to list a Triton rear.

al, I reckon it would be pretty good with Super Select, too. In 2H it would be disconnected, in 4H it would work as usual but you'd have the centre unlocked (so no chance of wind-up) while in 4Hlc and 4Llc it would take an even 50% split to the front.
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Re: Diff lock - how do they work?

Postby sam on Mon Apr 12, 2010 3:06 pm

NowForThe5th wrote:ahmo, we're talking about the front and mainly for those who have LSD rear. The factory DL is a great value option and, unless really hard core 4WD, will get you nearly anywhere. Lokka don't seem to list a Triton rear.

al, I reckon it would be pretty good with Super Select, too. In 2H it would be disconnected, in 4H it would work as usual but you'd have the centre unlocked (so no chance of wind-up) while in 4Hlc and 4Llc it would take an even 50% split to the front.



As posted on another thread when in 2H all your front drive line would still rotate with a Lokka installed and in 4H if running on fast lose gravel roads or slippery surfaces it could be quite dangerous due to the fact that the Lokka is permanently locked and then unlocks when it detects a differentiation in wheel speed ;) so if the surface is to loose or slippery it may not unlock and to lose steering at any speed is scary little loan at high speed. :shock:

Just something to be aware of and the main reason I was going for the air Locker
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Re: Diff lock - how do they work?

Postby Naff on Mon Apr 12, 2010 4:47 pm

that's what I was asking before Sam.. so there is potential for it to not unlock in high speed gravel situations.. which i tend to use 4H on just for peace of mind... hmm might be worth posting that question to Lokka themselves
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Re: Diff lock - how do they work?

Postby NowForThe5th on Mon Apr 12, 2010 5:09 pm

Sam, I believe you are incorrect. The Triton disengages front drive outside the diff centre so when in 2H the front wheels are isolated from the driveline.

When in 4H with a standard open diff if you hit a slippery spot the drive transfers to the wheel without traction meaning that you effectively lose traction at the front completely, albeit perhaps momentarily. For exactly this reason having an LSD in the rear in the same situation means that you retain some drive to the wheel with traction, lessening the likelihood of a big lose. If you had a Lokka in the front in the same situation and let's say you hit a spot of no traction with the inside wheel while traversing a bend, the outside wheel would have been allowed to freewheel faster than the inside (but doesn't actually lose drive). On hitting the slippery spot the inside wheel would spin only until it catches up in speed with the outside wheel then drive would be re-established to the outside wheel. Thus you never actually lose traction at the front which you would have done with an open diff.

The converse situation would apply if you had an air locker at the front and hit a hard packed spot with good traction on an otherwise fast, loose, gravel road while cornering. In this situation your diff is locked solid but the wheels are trying to turn at different speeds. My guess is that the CV joint would let go first. Of course, you're unlikely to have your air locker locked in such a situation so you're back to an open diff (if in 4WD) and back to losing traction.

The other big difference is that with an air locker, turning corners can be next to impossible because both front wheels are being driven at the same speed. With a Lokka, the ability to allow the outside wheel to spin faster than the inside means that you retain steering in the same situation.

I don't have any reason to support Lokka other than that I've been researching this for ages and think that this is the best choice vs Lockrite, Detroit and air operated systems. My opinion only, of course.
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Re: Diff lock - how do they work?

Postby jop on Mon Apr 12, 2010 6:44 pm

I would rather be able to turn my locker off when it decides you should climb a bank at the wrong time.
Or both wheels should drive the same in a slippery rut you don't want to be in.

Having driven 2 different vehicles in both those situations, both auto locker - i would prefer a manually operated locker.

Having said that, i would probably choose an auto over no locker depending on vehicle.

My opinion too :D

Luxes have an e-locker option and also aftermarket lsd's :cry:
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Re: Diff lock - how do they work?

Postby sam on Mon Apr 12, 2010 7:17 pm

NowForThe5th the Triton disconnect ONLY disconnects the drivers side axle not the passenger side so what happens when you go into 2wd is the disconnect system disengages the RHS axle at the same time as disengaging the transfer box.

This then allows the diff center gears ( planetary gears ) to rotate allowing the crown wheel and hence the front driveshaft and transfer case to remain stationary ;)

If you put a Lokka in you do away with your planetary gears so you have a locked center so then all the front drive line turns whether your in 4wd or not ;)

Hope this explains it in a bit more detail :)
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Re: Diff lock - how do they work?

Postby Naff on Tue Apr 13, 2010 7:23 am

You'd only use a manual locker when you needed it, so the steering aspect might not be a problem... i.e. if you were using the locker in the first place, you'd probably be making very deliberate movements.

You guys nut it out and tell me what I need to save up for. :lol:
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Re: Diff lock - how do they work?

Postby NowForThe5th on Wed Apr 14, 2010 8:07 am

sam wrote:NowForThe5th the Triton disconnect ONLY disconnects the drivers side axle not the passenger side so what happens when you go into 2wd is the disconnect system disengages the RHS axle at the same time as disengaging the transfer box.

This then allows the diff center gears ( planetary gears ) to rotate allowing the crown wheel and hence the front driveshaft and transfer case to remain stationary ;)

If you put a Lokka in you do away with your planetary gears so you have a locked center so then all the front drive line turns whether your in 4wd or not ;)


Good point, Sam. I was under the impression that when disengaged the little stubby drive shaft that runs from the vacuum actuated solenoid clutch moved and disengaged the left side as well. It appears this is not the case and to verify the effect I posed the question to Lokka.

This is the response I received:

Hi Chris,
You are correct, the Disconnecting Axle System only separates the long
axle into 2 parts.
All the parts are always turning, as the short side goes into the diff
gears (so they turn) and the little stubbie bit of axle going to the
other side also turns (the opposite way) and the long part connected to
the other wheel also turns when the wheel turns.
Hence it all turns all the time.

Lokka fitted does not cause excessive wear.

Our Lokka's are AUSTRALIAN made, they come with a 3 year UNCONDITIONAL
unlimited km warranty.
Comprehensive Fitting Instructions included.
The price is usually $649 plus delivery to your door. For more
information go to our web site.

Currently $570 delivered.


They seem pretty confident with a 3 year unlimited unconditional kilometre warranty.

Given that the transfer case disengages drive to the front when in 2WD I don't think that this should cause any problem because only the left side is still connected to the diff, i.e. the right side is disconnected. In 4WD it would function as designed.

$570 delivered is VERY attractive. Wonder how much better we could get on a group buy?
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