Hey guys,
Have read a fair bit on here about diff locks, LSD etc but i have a couple of questions
1) I dont do a lot of 4wd stuff, will mostly be heading up mountain in winter, so ice and snowy roads will be the order of the day. May hit a couple of sandy beaches. Will this sort of driving benefit from a lock diff or LSD in the rear?
2) I have read on here that Lock diffs arent to hot on the open road, and clunk and bang a lot, if im doing 10,000kms a year on the road is a lock diff a bad idea?
3) What kind of $$ am i looking at, lock diff vs LSD?
Cheers.
Diff lock or LSD - 1997 Surf
Sounds like a job for an LSD... auto-lockers will probably be overkill, although a better solution and possibly cheaper... but they have handling characteristics you might not like on the seal...
an LSD, tightened a bit, will be ideal for what you are describing, and should have no bad road manners at all.
Locker, around $650-700 ea, fitting around $200 + any incidentals (if you're taking the back end apart, do the wheel bearings and seals, and replace the oil - probably another $300-350)
LSD - goodness knows what you would pay for new, but find a second hand one in good nick, tightened and you'll probably pay $1k or less (seen em 2nd hand for down around $3-400) ready to bolt in (although finding one could be tricky for a later surf - depends on your ratios)... Fitting should be bugger all, its a half-hour job to replace a rear diff in a Hilux... as before also do the bearings and oils while you have it apart.
Steve
an LSD, tightened a bit, will be ideal for what you are describing, and should have no bad road manners at all.
Locker, around $650-700 ea, fitting around $200 + any incidentals (if you're taking the back end apart, do the wheel bearings and seals, and replace the oil - probably another $300-350)
LSD - goodness knows what you would pay for new, but find a second hand one in good nick, tightened and you'll probably pay $1k or less (seen em 2nd hand for down around $3-400) ready to bolt in (although finding one could be tricky for a later surf - depends on your ratios)... Fitting should be bugger all, its a half-hour job to replace a rear diff in a Hilux... as before also do the bearings and oils while you have it apart.
Steve
If you buy a second hand LSD then chances are that it's flogged out and the clutches will need replacing and reshimmed. Even if it's not, it's worth looking at whilst you have it apart.
If you go LSD it's likely you will have to buy an entire diff centre so look for one the same ratio as your existing diff so that you don't have to transfer the crown wheel and pinion over.
If you can do basic mechanical work then fitting a locker or an LSD shouldn't be a problem. As Steve said definitely do the seals and bearings whilst it's open.
You could go LSD rear and auto locker front, that way the auto locker only works when you are in 4wd.
Others on here with auto lockers in the rear can comment on what they are like to drive every day on the road.
Matt.
If you go LSD it's likely you will have to buy an entire diff centre so look for one the same ratio as your existing diff so that you don't have to transfer the crown wheel and pinion over.
If you can do basic mechanical work then fitting a locker or an LSD shouldn't be a problem. As Steve said definitely do the seals and bearings whilst it's open.
You could go LSD rear and auto locker front, that way the auto locker only works when you are in 4wd.
Others on here with auto lockers in the rear can comment on what they are like to drive every day on the road.
Matt.