PB Rear Diff Lock Swap?

[huntingspark]

Hi everyone,

Have been lurking on this forum and used it for great information, however I have a question for the knowledgeable contributors.

I bought my PB about 18 months ago and love it, the only problem being is I managed to get one without a factory diff lock...

I've studied the aftermarket options with their pros and cons and after seeing the money involved I wanted to know how easily I could grab a factory RLD off a wrecked challenger and either install it myself or get a mechanic to do the work for me?

Has anybody had a go at this themselves or know of someone who has? Also any feedback on aftermarket options are also welcome.

Here's a pic where she's up to so far.



Thanks.

[old Jack]

Hi everyone,

Have been lurking on this forum and used it for great information, however I have a question for the knowledgeable contributors.

I bought my PB about 18 months ago and love it, the only problem being is I managed to get one without a factory diff lock...

I've studied the aftermarket options with their pros and cons and after seeing the money involved I wanted to know how easily I could grab a factory RLD off a wrecked challenger and either install it myself or get a mechanic to do the work for me?

Has anybody had a go at this themselves or know of someone who has? Also any feedback on aftermarket options are also welcome.

Here's a pic where she's up to so far.



Thanks.

Unfortunately the factory RDL can not be retro fitted to the non RDL PB Challenger as the axle lengths, spline counts, CW&P and bearing sizes are all different.
Options are;
1. Complete rear diff/axle assembly axle swap, 2nd hand rear diff/axle assembly disc to disc are between $1500 and $1800 from wreckers when I looked about a year ago.
2. ARB and TJM do a rear air locker kit for about the same price as a secondhand rear diff/axle assembly.
3. Harrop E-Locker is about the same price as the other 2 options above.
4. There is a forum member that has been trying to fit a factory RDL from a MQ Triton which is an E-Locker, from memory it was about $1000 secondhand but he was having issues getting it to work.

Labour for changing a rear axle assembly over or fitting a RDL is between $400 and $600 on top of the parts price.

In my opinion you cannot get a better RDL than an E-Locker.

OJ.

[huntingspark]

Thanks OJ,

Unfortunately what I suspected was true. I'm leaning towards getting the E-locker and the supplier was telling me they don't feel comfortable installing these in a Challenger without upgrading some other internals of the diff which nudge the price up considerably.

I'm aware my options are limited as there aren't really that many PB's running around with open diff's which people want locked.

Thanks for your help.

[old Jack]

Thanks OJ,

Unfortunately what I suspected was true. I'm leaning towards getting the E-locker and the supplier was telling me they don't feel comfortable installing these in a Challenger without upgrading some other internals of the diff which nudge the price up considerably.

I'm aware my options are limited as there aren't really that many PB's running around with open diff's which people want locked.

Thanks for your help.

Do you have more info on what internals need upgrading if fitting an E-Locker to a standard open PB diff? The open diff in the PB has a larger crown wheel and pinion than the factory diff with RDL so I am not aware of any parts that need upgrading, if anything I would think the open diff internals are stronger!

OJ.

[cookie9]

Ive got factory locker and have been having ongoing issues with it.. still havnt fixed it yet.

If I could, I'd go for the ARB locker, its tried and tested but unfortunately cant fit my car. I guess the harrop is the only option for me, sounds good on paper but have mates with elockers that dont like them, the way they engage etc.. personal choises I guess.

Yeah wonder what internals need upgrading? I've looked at them in the past and they never mentioned needing anything more then the locker.. around 2k fitted.

[itsamitsi]

That's one thing Mits's are renowned for, strong diffs. I think ole mate's having a lend of you some what.

[old Jack]

Ive got factory locker and have been having ongoing issues with it.. still havnt fixed it yet.

If I could, I'd go for the ARB locker, its tried and tested but unfortunately cant fit my car. I guess the harrop is the only option for me, sounds good on paper but have mates with elockers that dont like them, the way they engage etc.. personal choises I guess.

Yeah wonder what internals need upgrading? I've looked at them in the past and they never mentioned needing anything more then the locker.. around 2k fitted.

Not sure that the Harrop E-Locker can be fitted as a replacement to the factory RDL, I can not recall reading anywhere of any aftermarket RDL being a direct replacement for a factory RDL.

OJ.

[cookie9]

Not sure that the Harrop E-Locker can be fitted as a replacement to the factory RDL, I can not recall reading anywhere of any aftermarket RDL being a direct replacement for a factory RDL.

OJ.

they do both for rear:

https://www.harrop.com.au/shop/4x4-performance/driveline/elocker?make=56

Any idea how these tie in with the existing electronics? Will they disable traction control etc like the factory one?

[old Jack]

they do both for rear:

https://www.harrop.com.au/shop/4x4-performance/driveline/elocker?make=56

Any idea how these tie in with the existing electronics? Will they disable traction control etc like the factory one?

The Factory RDL has a switch on the diff housing that indicates the diff is physically locked and this signal goes to the RDL ECU. I am not sure if this switch would still operate with an aftermarket E-Locker. The factory RDL has a selector switch which when operated sends a request to lock the diff to the RDL ECU, The RDL ECU looks at vehicle speed and if the vehicle speed is low enough then the air pump will actuate the RDL, at the same time a signal is sent to the ASCTC ECU to signal the RDL has been selected ON and the ASCTC ECU disables the TC side of the system.

It may be possible to get an E-Locker to operate this way with the factory RDL ECU.
You could however get a similar level of protection by only allowing the E-Locker to engage whist in low range and this would also enable you to keep TC activated.

OJ.