Diff lockers - Troop carrier

Troopies and Toyota's generally have very poor lsd's.
I fitted an airlocker to three troopies that I've owned, made a huge difference to off road ability and also meant that the torque of the engine could be used properly at low revs as I could idle over most terrain.
The front is a bit of overkill unless you intend to play rockhopper which troopies are not ideal for.
If it is a post 1990 model it will have the small front diff and they are best not strained, especially in reverse.
The lack of a front locker will allow a loss of traction before breaking a diff.

Hi chris.
I've had ARB diff locks in both a series 1 Disco (rear only) & both f & r of the current series 2 Disco.
The only problems that I've had so far are that I snapped both rear axle's in the series 1 disco (at different times) but that was extreme rock crawling with a heavy foot & worked V8.
That diff lock now lives in the front of the Disco 2.
I've replaced the front drive shaft on the Disco 2 due to wear (not due to the diff lock) and have fitted an earlier model tail shaft on the rear for insurance.
Used sensibly they shouldn't increase wear to the drive line, but increase traction by a huge amount.
I fitted the diff locks in preference to a winch, which I haven't needed yet!!

Regards
Jeff

Hi Chris

The situations I've seen a snapped axle were when a wheel was spinning then suddenly gained traction. Seems to me that a diff lock would reduce this possibility as both wheels on that axle would have to spin.

LSDs are notorious for their short life, something like 40K km, although the Patrol version seems to last better. If you need the traction, ditch the LSD and fit a locker. I'll be doing that when it gets to the top of the wish list LOL.

Cheers
John

The flip side to all this, of course, and nobody has gerried yet, is that by removing the LSD you do not benefit whilst on marginal dirt roads at speed and other situations where you do not require outright locked traction, ie mavourvering around on secondary roads etc, where the locker will seriously deter your steering ability. Even the simple act of doing a "U turn" on marginal roads, even wet black top, can sometimes cause wheel spin and hop with an open diff. In my Patrol, I've retained the factory LSD, still going strong at 170K's and put an automatic Loka in the front. I reckon I have the best of both worlds. Factory handling and LSD traction when in 2WD and STEERABLE locked drive when hubs are engaged. In the serious stuff the Lok-rite compliments the LSD by not allowing excessive wheel spin speed that is the enemy of LSD's.The front Lokka also allows me to steer, unlike the traditional Air Lockers that make this almost impossible. And in extreme downhill situations, the tremendous traction adds to safer braking and decending, which is probably more important than climbing up in the first place.

Hi Chris,
I too have a Troopy, mines a 2996 RV model with the Toyota LSD and 23,000km's on it.
Yesterday I bogged the Troopy on Stockton Beach. One rear wheel had traction, the other didn't. (Same with the fronts)
I could let the clutch out, get out of the car and watch diagonal wheels spin. The Toyota LSD was as good as an open differential in that situation, it behaved exactly the same as the front diff. I'm not sure what I was expecting but definitely better than what I got.

Geoff.

I've not taken mine on sand yet but expected not to hear your sort of experience as the Prado in standard form was pretty much invincible on sand and inclines. Thought that in buying the Troopie I was getting better off raod capability. Perhaps I am - guess I'll find out along the way.

The very high recommended tyre pressures (69psi rear) surprised me as this is a trifle excessive for good offroad traction. I haven't toyed around with pressures yet - as I only fitted the airpump into this vehicle last week so that I could discover the secrets of split rim tyre changing. (much easier than safety rim though I note now the need for different tubes with long valve stems - doubt my existing tube would fit) Also discovered that my dial pressure guage stops at 60psi. So that's now my upper tyre pressure limit - which I feel may have to come down considerably despite moderate to heavy load.

Best regards
Chris