Diff Locks??

Submitted: Friday, May 11, 2007 at 15:49

ThreadID: 45356 Views:3610 Replies:8 FollowUps:4

This Thread has been Archived

Ford Rodeo

Wondering if someone could tell me the pro's and con's of air locks and Dertroit type locks (looking to buy front only on Rodeo). I've heard that air are much better cos you can turn them off whereas Detroit style remain on always when you lock front hubs. Is this such an issue? Is it that hard to drive when locked? Any info much appreciated.

Thanks

Phill

Back Expand Un-Read 0 Moderator Share

Reply By: Member - Tony J (NSW) - Friday, May 11, 2007 at 16:52

Friday, May 11, 2007 at 16:52

Hi Phill,

I have a Lock-right auto locker in the front of my part time 4wd 80 series, and an air locker in the rear.

For front fitment:

If your rodeo has power steering, you won't notice much change in steering when in 4wd, a bit more 'return to centre' is all, and I found this to be only for a quarter or so turn of the steer wheel either side of straight ahead. Still able to steer easily, and if the hubs are locked in but the transfer case is in 2wd, you won't notice any change at all. My wife had a falcon without power steer and it was *much* heavier to steer.

An auto locker (should really be called an un-locker because the outside wheel unlocks when steering - other wheel still drives) in the rear diff is a different story - can have some issues.

An air locker will make steering almost impossible when engaged. Usually you must dis-engage these to steer.

Auto lockers are a far bit cheaper as well, especially when a compessor needs to be purchased with an air locker to make it work. Even cheaper still (about half Oz cost) if you buy mail order from the USA.

I found that the locker in the front makes an incredible difference to 4wd ability. When I then placed an air locker in the rear, I was very dissappointed - not much more ability. My figures (and this will cause a storm of protest and abuse) is the the front gives 90% better traction and the rear added about 10%. Front cost me about $650 and the rear $1700 with compressor (and a piddly little compressor at that).

Note that all the above assumes *correct* fitment of the auto locker.This is critical to problem free operation.

Regards
Tony

AnswerID: 239312

Follow Up By: guzzi - Friday, May 11, 2007 at 18:09

Friday, May 11, 2007 at 18:09

I agree with Tony

I have a Lokka in the front of my Rodeo.
You get heavier steering when trying to turn the wheel when stopped and it does give a more pronounced return to centre, neither is overly drastic and you adapt to it fairly quickly (keep your thumbs out of the wheel).
Correct fitting and setting up the clearences is important, its not rocket science but a lot of people who fit these just don't read the instructions, don't set them up correctly, then bag them when they "fail" or don't work as they should.
A diff lock in the front will be of greater benefit on the rodeo than on the rear due to the limited articulation. Every time you cock a front wheel in the air you're a 2 wheel drive. A Front diff lock of any type improves steep down hill performance a hell of a lot, no more toboggan effect every time a front wheel leaves the ground.
The choice is up to you as to which type you get, I can only say GET ONE, you wont be disapointed.

Pete

FollowupID: 500338

Follow Up By: Dave from P7OFFROAD Accredited Driver Training - Friday, May 11, 2007 at 22:44

Friday, May 11, 2007 at 22:44

I'm with Tony and Guzzi here.

Auto lockers are great, and well worth the $$, however, if installed incorrectly lead to dramas.

Our old troopy had lockrights front and rear and travelled at least 200 000kms with the difflocks, they never gave us an ounce of trouble, were predictable and did their job very well.

The Company GU has a Prolocker front and LSD rear, only because I need to be able to demonstrate the difference between locked and unlocked, if it were a private car, it would have a lockright in the front (and probably still the LSd in the rear because Nissan (and Jeep) make great LSDs)

cheers

FollowupID: 500417

Reply By: Member - Troopytrek - Friday, May 11, 2007 at 16:54

Friday, May 11, 2007 at 16:54

G,Day FordRodeo, from what I have seen there is not a lot of difference price wise in the actual lockers the difference is in the compressor. I noticed in the latest 4x4 monthly mag ARB are offering free compressor with a locker till the end of may. While this deal is on I personally wouldnt mess with a detroit. Cheers Troopytrek

AnswerID: 239313

Reply By: Steve from Top End Explorer Tours - Friday, May 11, 2007 at 16:58

Friday, May 11, 2007 at 16:58

Hey Ford Rodeo

I had the Detroit lockers in an 80 series, the only problem was turning into a tight space EG: a woolies car park the rear would jump a bit.

Cheers steve

AnswerID: 239314

Reply By: Member - Bruce and Anne - Friday, May 11, 2007 at 17:28

Friday, May 11, 2007 at 17:28

Hi Ford Rodeo, I have a Lokka auto locker in the front of My Isuzu MU same front axle as your Rodeo, cost around $550 plus fitting and hay this thing will just about climb any thing Iam game to point it at and having a pretty good lsd in the rear of your truck thats the way I would be going.
Cheers Bruce.

AnswerID: 239322

Reply By: Middle Jeff - Friday, May 11, 2007 at 21:01

Friday, May 11, 2007 at 21:01

Hi Phill

I have an 80 with front and rear air lockers, if you are just touring I don't think it matters which one you get. If you want to go up and down ledges it is nice to be able to turn them off or on at when you want and also if it is a really slippery surface it is great to be able to turn them off to go around a corner then back on to straighten it back up.

Have fun

Craig

AnswerID: 239380

Reply By: sean - Friday, May 11, 2007 at 22:15

Friday, May 11, 2007 at 22:15

I have a front air locker and would not recommend one to anyone. I am going to get the detroit next time.

Yes they do work, and when the front wheels are locked I can get it along slippery areas that wont quite go unlocked. But in sand its a different storey. Try to take that turn into that hill that needs a locker and those turning locked wheels just bog the engine down. Auto locking definately better in those situations.

I have actually used it quite a bit and never had a situation when its an advantage to actually turn it OFF. So I dont really agree with the sentiment that an airlocker actually gives more control.

But to the real problems. The installation is vulnerable. The air pipe comes out through the top of the diff and can easily get ripped off with all the sticks and stuff.

But to make things worse, the pressure relief vents diff oil back out through the compressor slowly emptying the front diff, damaging all the bits that are expensive to replace.

Not a bad product but dont get conned by the advertising. Maybe not the best.

Get something simple and auto.

Hummers use detroit lockers.

Good luck

Sean

AnswerID: 239420

Reply By: Ford Rodeo - Saturday, May 12, 2007 at 00:50

Saturday, May 12, 2007 at 00:50

Thanks to all for their replies. Looks like I'll get a Lokka auto locker or similar.

Again thanks

Phill

AnswerID: 239459

Follow Up By: D-Jack - Saturday, May 12, 2007 at 02:35

Saturday, May 12, 2007 at 02:35

Good choice, another fan of the LOKKA (4wd systems one) in my 99 TD Jackaroo. Ploughs through the sand with full tyre pressures now (when use to have to drop at certain places), nothing to think about, they do it automatically. Sand they are unreal, unstoppable. If you get bogged in sand, your tyre pressures are too high or you have driven onto steep beach which is always a no go zone.

FollowupID: 500446

Reply By: Wayne (NSW) - Saturday, May 12, 2007 at 06:08

Saturday, May 12, 2007 at 06:08

Phil,

Just a word of warning.

If a locker of and description is fitted to the front you will change the main drive of your vehicle to the front.

Can the front end cope with this?

Wayne

AnswerID: 239468