Diff Lockers

[dusty_nz]

Well I found as soon as your leave the road the IFS just makes it a lot harder.

Eg pemberton campsite to warren river. The approach to the dune was borderline due to alternating ruts. "Wombat holes??". Need a few goes. Now its a case of idling.

The cool thing is.
The heavier steering is only noticable when there is heaps of traction. Eh hardback dirt road is noticable. Gravel is not.
If you don't need the 4wd then the steering will be heavy.
When the surface is less than ideal and when you need 4wd then the steering will return to normal. Its all about the high traction road surface not allowing the wheels to give a little.

[Pete]

Any chance you could pop over to vic and let me feel yours?

[icysyrup]

Originally Posted by Pete

Any chance you could pop over to vic and let me feel yours?

LOLOL...forgive me but I couldnt help but crack up after reading this.

The wording is priceless Pete.

[Gus]

Originally Posted by Pete

After doing 20km of gravel in 4h yesterday, i was thinking, it would be nice to be able to switch on or off. Auto is likely to be better for those who do 80 dirt and 20 road, i do 20 dirt and 80 road. On the other hand $300 is pretty check versus $3000

Is there such a think a genuine mitusbishi locker? or any other potion, or is it really ARB air locker or one of the auto lockers?

Do you really need a locker for trekking with the family?

Pete, you'll have to answer that 1 yourself mate! But for just general trekking you'll be ok.

Even in the Vic High Country for example a mate has a stock NM & we both tackled Pheasants Track after heavy rain it was badly washed out & rutted, my mate did get up but was lucky not to damage his NM as he had to use the right foot,while I just switched on the front air locker and just walked up.

What it really comes down to is... will you use it?

Gus.

[Pete]

Yeah i know what you mean. I guess cos i dont really go 4wding i dont really know. Might try a trip without it and decide from there? I will be installing a winch with the bar, so is the general rule to have one or the other?

[Gus]

lol I've got both! BUT... if your installing a winch sure I'd wait & see.

[aldavnic]

Installing an air locker is probably a better bet as your not putting undue strain
on the front diff with a mecahnical locker which is going to activate quite a lot of the time when you probably dont need it. A front diff failed on an NP on a recent highcountry trip with a mecahnical locker, it wasnt going hard or doing anything difficult. I belive one side of the paj dif is weaker than the other ,not sure but i think its the side with the activation shaft.
The drivers skills could not be questioned as he is an experienced 4wd driver trainer instructor. Just a thought.

[dusty_nz]

Hmm. See a lot of people talking about lockers failing. There are as many ARB's failing as there are Auto Lockers. 1/2 of these are are actually diff componnents, Eg CV's and drive shafts etc.

These arn't weaker due to the locker but more the drivers not being careful with the locker. Eg wheel spin relieves stress. Lockers reduce wheelspin therefore where does the stress go???

I did heaps of googling and have yet to find any cases where the auto lockers are weaker than the ARB. Also there are heaps of peole popping the factory rear diff lockers.

With a locker you only need to idle everywhere. I mean 1000rpm is plenty.

[Gus]

I agree with dusty nz re lockers auto, air being as good as each other.. But with a full time 4WD or as in the Pajero you have the choice of 4WD I stand by what I said an Air Locker up front means you only have on when needed this will mean less stress on CV's and drive line up front.

[icysyrup]

I agree Gus, the auto locker will put more stress but very little when not in use. I really considered it on mine and then when I installed it they said to do the test where the front end is still in the air. One person grabs one wheel and the other person is on the other tire on the front and they both spin them opposite directions. This causes the locker to unlock and tests that.

I was AMAZED at how little strength it takes to unlock these...I mean literally i put one finger on the lugs of the tire and spun it and felt the click and its unlocked. So...that being said, the only stress I believe it is putting on the front is the constant engagement of the front axle. The "parasitic loss" on MPG is what happens basically. More rolling resistance for the engine to push.