Diff Lock or not to diff lock...

[jop]

Some hills still require braking

[Homer]

Yeah matt I reckon you're right, but only if you have low enough gearing which I don't with the auto...

I would guess in some situations gearing isn't low enough in the manual either...especially if you add 32's or 33's...

[har05l]

You do need to brake in the manual as well.

@ matt, abs is also disengaged.

[jason]

definatly diff lock!
worth every cent and once you try you wont look back....

[borngeek]

Let's test them CV's I reckon will be good to compare as there are heaps of rear locked Tritons around..

I have a price of $2,084 + GST Fitted - including compressor/inflation kit and fitting for your reference....

i agree, i will maintain the rear is better but.......each to his own.

....by the time coffs comes around we can do some testing.

Being a non locked ML (with super select) prior to last week I never waded into this thread.

I have fitted a arb front lock now. No change from $2k as per above. You may be able to get a few hundred less if your tenacious, connected or handy. (or someone does a group buy)
I did fit compressor, solenoid and switches myself and chose to use a diff specialist rather than a arb mechanic to fit mine. I would not discourage using arb as they would have plenty of inhouse experience most probably. I sourced my locker privately

The difference.... HUGE! Instead of driving full noise into a obstacle I can crawl over it now. If a front or rear lifts off I still have positive drive pulling me up. It is a amazing feeling.

LSD vs rear only.. rear locked gets advantage here but I have successfully used my handbrake to get mostly everywhere a rear lock has gotten. YES I had to use extra momentum.

Front VS Rear (with LSD rear on front lock vehicle): EASY front wins! In capability, with much much less momentum required.

At the dealership choosing.... Well at $700 the rear lock represents fantastic value. It is however less capable than a front locker. So it comes down to what kind of wheeling you are wanting to do. I, personally, enjoy challenging myself and the vehicle and with this locker I now have opened up a whole new set of challenges available to me.

Will it put the CV's more at risk? Yes and No. Yes because I am likely to push the limits more and No because you hit things initially at much lower pace and in saying this it implies that the CV is at less risk? I guess time will only tell and I did not reduce the amount of torque I was running for its first weekend and survived.

How do I know it is better than before?
Simple.
1. I turned it off and got myself stuck in a rollover rut. No rear traction. No front traction. Then I turned it on and drove out.
2. Watched rear locked vehicles struggle up papa bear only to have the front lock walk it (and I could have gone slower than I did). There was TWO of us with the front locker and we walked it and the rear locks did not. They could and did get up but at a factor x10 of risk of damage.

The engagement is instant when stopped, only engages when you back off power when rolling. (arb air version)

If you are VERY serious about your wheeling I would get the factory rear and fit the front locker immediate.
If you are after a capable vehicle you take offroad every now and then and like the added benefit, get just factory rear.
If you are stuck with the LSD and need more, buy a front locker
If you are unsure save the $700 and get the front locker later!

These are my opinions and happy to expand and debate upon them

One interesting part of this topic is the 'lokka' system. This is a much more cost effective mod for the ML owners with easy select. Bang for buck I am more than satisfied with the $2k I spent.
Will watch with interest and participate in tests with the 'lokka' peeps. I am hoping there are some of you interested in a front locker now

[sam]

I wonder where you got the front locker from maaaaate oh well movin right along and waiting
for the new Ranger.

[borngeek]

I wonder where you got the front locker from maaaaate oh well movin right along and waiting
for the new Ranger.

thanks mate!! as you can tell I am really loving your front locker

//look fwd to hearing about your projects here too.... start a buildup when you get time I am positive everyone would like to see your current work!

[trickydevil]

I'm keen as mustard for a front locker..... just have to wait a little while. A big dirrerence not noted GEEK with the front locker it will lift you up steps where the rear locker will try and push you up.

As for CV's ( i should know ) with the locker in, if you lift a front wheel they will both keep spinning at the same speed so there shouldn't be as much force on the joints when they have landed.

On the other hand, if at full noise with locker on and you bounce the front you'll risk doing both CV's. No real dramas there, afew of us on the site have some spare ones

Quick addition of what i would like i need a sweet $5K.... better buy a lotto ticket..

[borngeek]

I'm keen as mustard for a front locker..... just have to wait a little while. A big difference not noted GEEK with the front locker it will lift you up steps where the rear locker will try and push you up.

Good point Tricky!

I have likened this to you common wheelie bin full to the brim....

Is it easier to push it up the driveway or pull it up the driveway????

Lets just say the front locker chooses to pull it up the driveway

//you twin locked..... no1 donate to tricky's fund pleeeeeease

[fridgie]

Hopefully a twin locked Daisy by summertime

[SkIp]

I cant believe this thread is still going! Def get a front locker if you want easier 4wding, otherwise stop talking about it! I had a ARB front air locker in my Triton and have purchased the same for my Patrol.

[salt36]

Air locker for me,

Steering torque sounds like resistance and wear to me, more fuel and more expense...........

IMO

[Joe]

I cant believe this thread is still going!

We're simple folk us Triton owners......... and we have nothing else to talk about

[SkIp]

Air locker for me,

Steering torque sounds like resistance and wear to me, more fuel and more expense...........

IMO

Low speed and hill climbs is always going to chew the fuel, thats just the way it is. 4wding is an expensive hobby and wear is what happens over time

[SkIp]

I cant believe this thread is still going!

We're simple folk us Triton owners......... and we have nothing else to talk about

hahahaha

[al coholic]

I cant believe this thread is still going!

We're simple folk us Triton owners......... and we have nothing else to talk about

We can change the subject if you like.............how about "How to re-build your 3L Patrol" ??????

[SkIp]

I cant believe this thread is still going!

We're simple folk us Triton owners......... and we have nothing else to talk about

We can change the subject if you like.............how about "How to re-build your 3L Patrol" ??????

Ouch Already installed all the anti detonation devices fingers crossed

I could tell you about all the problems the new owner of my Triton has had since owning it but I dont want to put fear into the Triton community!

[trickydevil]

Start a new thread, always good for a heads up.....

[Cowboy Dave]

Just got a quote in from the states on shipping for the ARB front diff lock.

RD110 $849.99
UPS freight $225.00

The freight costs stuff the whole thing up.

Might be more affordable for the compressor and stuff since they're lighter than the diff lock.

[Naff]

Keep an eye open at your next 4x4 show as ARB were offering the compressor free with the locker purchase (saving $290.00).

You can also save up to half on the installation cost by not going to ARB.

[Cowboy Dave]

Hmm, just so happens there's a show in Sydney starting tomorrow:

http://www.supershow.com.au/Default.aspx

[Naff]

And ARB are at site 112

[borngeek]

Go on CD you know you want to

Heres some teaser shots

[Mattstruck]

Just got a quote in from the states on shipping for the ARB front diff lock.

RD110 $849.99
UPS freight $225.00

The freight costs stuff the whole thing up.

Might be more affordable for the compressor and stuff since they're lighter than the diff lock.

I find if You can get the seller to use USPS its HEAPS cheaper to ship from the US.

UPS and others make it not worth while

[har05l]

There was TWO of us with the front locker and we walked it and the rear locks did not. They could and did get up but at a factor x10 of risk of damage.

Challenge any day

From experience and having used both variants and both being in IFS vehicles it all comes down to wheel placement aswell geek

IMO