Discussion
The car is a classic range rover, and it gets used for a mix of green lanes and pay / play.
The standard open diffs have been fustrating me for some time, and I have been looking out for some second hand uprated diffs. Being second hand, I thought there would not be much choice, so I would buy whatever I could find. Actualy, I have found nothing.
If I was to buy new, what would be the best way to go (and I have a bit of saving to do, so plenty of time to think about it)?
ARB Air Lockers is the obvious choice, or would be if money was no object.
Then there is the Kam option. Or really, several options. I could have a locker (similar to ARB in that it is driver operated, but electric rather than air operated). Or, a Kam LSD. Or the same diff can be limited slip, with the ability to lock it if required. Like ARB, Kams are expensive, but of course, no compressor is needed.
Then there is the "limited slip" types such as Quaffie, Detroit, True Trac. (although I understand they all work differently internaly, but have similar effect). These would all be cheaper than the ARB / KAM option, but dont offer complete driver controlled lock up. However, is that really needed for my use, or as long as each wheel on the axel is turning, does it matter if the gripping wheel is going slower than the spinning wheel?
Another thing to consider is do I want the same set up on each axle? Is there an advantage to this, or an advantage of having something different at each end?
I know that what suits one person / car / usage will not be right for someone else, but I would be interested to hear peoples thoughts & experiences before parting with my hard earned cash.
Or of course, if you have anything to sell me, then....
On the one hand I dont want to spend more than I have to on something that is too good for my needs. On the other hand I dont want to buy something cheaper, then upgrading in a year or two as I should have bought the expencive one first time round.....
I am posting this on several forums, as I want as much feed back as possible.
The standard open diffs have been fustrating me for some time, and I have been looking out for some second hand uprated diffs. Being second hand, I thought there would not be much choice, so I would buy whatever I could find. Actualy, I have found nothing.
If I was to buy new, what would be the best way to go (and I have a bit of saving to do, so plenty of time to think about it)?
ARB Air Lockers is the obvious choice, or would be if money was no object.
Then there is the Kam option. Or really, several options. I could have a locker (similar to ARB in that it is driver operated, but electric rather than air operated). Or, a Kam LSD. Or the same diff can be limited slip, with the ability to lock it if required. Like ARB, Kams are expensive, but of course, no compressor is needed.
Then there is the "limited slip" types such as Quaffie, Detroit, True Trac. (although I understand they all work differently internaly, but have similar effect). These would all be cheaper than the ARB / KAM option, but dont offer complete driver controlled lock up. However, is that really needed for my use, or as long as each wheel on the axel is turning, does it matter if the gripping wheel is going slower than the spinning wheel?
Another thing to consider is do I want the same set up on each axle? Is there an advantage to this, or an advantage of having something different at each end?
I know that what suits one person / car / usage will not be right for someone else, but I would be interested to hear peoples thoughts & experiences before parting with my hard earned cash.
Or of course, if you have anything to sell me, then....
On the one hand I dont want to spend more than I have to on something that is too good for my needs. On the other hand I dont want to buy something cheaper, then upgrading in a year or two as I should have bought the expencive one first time round.....
I am posting this on several forums, as I want as much feed back as possible.
Yes, all good points.
It has a 2 inch lift, and runs Grizly Claw tyres of a fairly modest size (standard wheels). I dont really want to get into cutting out arches or body lifts.
Its not so much the laning, but the pay & play. I see people drive through things & make them look easy, then I get hopelessy stuck, then discover that the car I watched had clever diffs. It happens quite a lot. I realise that they are not a "magic wand" and driver ability and tyres and ground clearance etc make a difference, but I cannot help thinking I could do more with one or two clever diffs.
I am currently on 10 spline shafts, and have a couple spare second hand one in the garage. When I first have to buy a shaft (whether because the new diff is 24 spline, or because I use up the spares), it will be a heavy duty item. Similarly for CV joints, if I have to replace one, it will be with a heavy duty item. I know the heavy duty shafts and CV joints are mega money, but I would hope that once I had them, I never broke them. Fitting standard parts (especialy second hand ones) means that it is only a matter of time until they break.
Thanks for your comments so far.
It has a 2 inch lift, and runs Grizly Claw tyres of a fairly modest size (standard wheels). I dont really want to get into cutting out arches or body lifts.
Its not so much the laning, but the pay & play. I see people drive through things & make them look easy, then I get hopelessy stuck, then discover that the car I watched had clever diffs. It happens quite a lot. I realise that they are not a "magic wand" and driver ability and tyres and ground clearance etc make a difference, but I cannot help thinking I could do more with one or two clever diffs.
I am currently on 10 spline shafts, and have a couple spare second hand one in the garage. When I first have to buy a shaft (whether because the new diff is 24 spline, or because I use up the spares), it will be a heavy duty item. Similarly for CV joints, if I have to replace one, it will be with a heavy duty item. I know the heavy duty shafts and CV joints are mega money, but I would hope that once I had them, I never broke them. Fitting standard parts (especialy second hand ones) means that it is only a matter of time until they break.
Thanks for your comments so far.
Yes, the lecky Kam locker looks the best of everything. LSD most of the time, then when you want it, lock up at the press of a button. Dont even need a compressor. Shame about the price, but I am so, so tempted.
2 inch lift with Springs / shocks by De Carbon. Extended bump stops, not sure who by, but the same colour scheme, so possibly also De Carbon.
Most of the modification work was done by the last owner, who competed in RTV's (very successfuly I understand). It probably is the nut behind the wheel which is the limiting factor, but if I can eliminate everything else....
2 inch lift with Springs / shocks by De Carbon. Extended bump stops, not sure who by, but the same colour scheme, so possibly also De Carbon.
Most of the modification work was done by the last owner, who competed in RTV's (very successfuly I understand). It probably is the nut behind the wheel which is the limiting factor, but if I can eliminate everything else....
I have had profesional instruction in the past (This has been on the track - I used to do a lot of sprinting, and in the mud, and on the road). Indeed, it is the one way of spending money that wont be wasted when you change car. I am sure that I will have plenty more days with an instructer in the future as well.
However, that does not answer the question about which is the best type of diff.
However, that does not answer the question about which is the best type of diff.
That is the trouble. Over the last few months I have asked loads of people what diffs they run, and what there opinion is. Every answer has been
"I have got XXX and suggest you get the same as they (or it) is great".
No one has said
"I have got YYY, and they are not so good. My last motor had ZZZ and they were better / worse because...."
Thats why I put it to the forums.
And so far, I dont think I know a lot more than before.
I dont really want to get into swapping axles, but from now on, any CV's / Half shafts I buy will be heavy duty items. To be fair though, its not as though I am breaking half shafts every week. In fact, it is several years since I last broke a shaft (probably due one now I have typed that). I do currently have a broken diff, which is what really started me thinking was this the time to invest real money. However, a friend is donating me a "believed good" diff for a very good price, so there is no immidiate panic. Just now I have started thinking about it, I really want to upgrade.
"I have got XXX and suggest you get the same as they (or it) is great".
No one has said
"I have got YYY, and they are not so good. My last motor had ZZZ and they were better / worse because...."
Thats why I put it to the forums.
And so far, I dont think I know a lot more than before.
I dont really want to get into swapping axles, but from now on, any CV's / Half shafts I buy will be heavy duty items. To be fair though, its not as though I am breaking half shafts every week. In fact, it is several years since I last broke a shaft (probably due one now I have typed that). I do currently have a broken diff, which is what really started me thinking was this the time to invest real money. However, a friend is donating me a "believed good" diff for a very good price, so there is no immidiate panic. Just now I have started thinking about it, I really want to upgrade.
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