ARB Compressor and Rear Lockers

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Suffering Sod

Suffering Sod

Member
Posts
17
Location
South East
2 questions really,
I have a '97 Defender 90 that I use for farm work and light off roading (as well as a daily driver!) and I have come across times where I really could have done with a rear diff locker (as the wallet won't stretch to a front as well).
I'm looking at ARB's air lockers or TerraFirma's TF450 e lockers what are your thoughts?

Second question is:
Has anyone managed to squeeze an ARB compressor under the bonnet but where it isn't a pain for basic maintenance? I was thinking their single cylinder mounted where the 300tdi air con went on the discos in front of the air filter...I don't know if it will fit there though...
 
miktdish said:
You don't need a compressor with the e-lock, it's elecytronicky ...

I'd go for an LSD ijn preference to a locker ...

DA9011 - Defender Discovery 1 & 2 Range Rover Classic Automatic torque biasing LSD Limited Slip Differential | LR Parts

www.lrparts.net www.lrparts.net
Click to expand...
Sorry my wording is cr4p!! I know an e diff doesn't need an air compressor but I want to start carrying one on the car anyway for tyres etc.

Why would you go for an LSD over an actual locking diff as I have my reservations about LSDs?
 
Suffering Sod said:
2 questions really,
I have a '97 Defender 90 that I use for farm work and light off roading (as well as a daily driver!) and I have come across times where I really could have done with a rear diff locker (as the wallet won't stretch to a front as well).
I'm looking at ARB's air lockers or TerraFirma's TF450 e lockers what are your thoughts?

Second question is:
Has anyone managed to squeeze an ARB compressor under the bonnet but where it isn't a pain for basic maintenance? I was thinking their single cylinder mounted where the 300tdi air con went on the discos in front of the air filter...I don't know if it will fit there though...
Click to expand...
You can get lots of locking diffs, and LSDs, that don't need air, or electrics. Detroit, Ashcroft, Quaife.

But if you are dead set on ARBs, you don't need to fit the compressor under the bonnet. When I had ARBs on my Series 109", the compressor was mounted underneath, next to the chassi rail, screwed into Rivnuts which I inserted into holes in the chassis for that purpose.
 
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Suffering Sod said:
Sorry my wording is cr4p!! I know an e diff doesn't need an air compressor but I want to start carrying one on the car anyway for tyres etc.
Click to expand...

I carry a T-Max in the back (sits nicely behind the passenger in the tub) and an Anderson connector between the passengers legs.

Suffering Sod said:
Why would you go for an LSD over an actual locking diff as I have my reservations about LSDs?
Click to expand...

I see it that the LSD will apply traction to the unweighted wheel automatically so really doesn't need any input from me and can't be accidentally 'left on' which is potentially disasterous. It/they will apply traction when needed and I can put one on each axle for about the same cost as an air-locker on one.
 
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Turboman said:
You can get lots of locking diffs, and LSDs, that don't need air, or electrics. Detroit, Ashcroft, Quaife.

But if you are dead set on ARBs, you don't need to fit the compressor under the bonnet. When I had ARBs on my Series 109", the compressor was mounted underneath, next to the chassi rail, screwed into Rivnuts which I inserted into holes in the chassis for that purpose.
Click to expand...
I've seen Detroit but I have heard they can switch on under normal driving on the road...do correct me if I'm wrong.

miktdish said:
I carry a T-Max in the back (sits nicely behind the passenger in the tub) and an Anderson connector between the passengers legs.



I see it that the LSD will apply traction to the unweighted wheel automatically so really doesn't need any input from me and can't be accidentally 'left on' which is potentially disasterous. It/they will apply traction when needed and I can put one on each axle for about the same cost as an air-locker on one.
Click to expand...
Wind up is a threat with proper lockers but can't LSDs have issue in tight corners and tyre wear? I quite like the idea of it being on or off but open to your suggestions. I did want an Ox Locker as it is cable operated like the centre diff and simple but they are bloody expensive and I don't think they make them for landys and it is American (better than being made from chinesium I guess...).
 
Suffering Sod said:
I've seen Detroit but I have heard they can switch on under normal driving on the road...do correct me if I'm wrong.


Wind up is a threat with proper lockers but can't LSDs have issue in tight corners and tyre wear? I quite like the idea of it being on or off but open to your suggestions. I did want an Ox Locker as it is cable operated like the centre diff and simple but they are bloody expensive and I don't think they make them for landys and it is American (better than being made from chinesium I guess...).
Click to expand...
My Detroit locker never gave me any problem, on or off road.
Neither did the Tru Trac LSD that I had fitted in the front axle, and they can also be fitted in the rear.

The advantages of ARBs is that they are a full locker, and very good for traction on extremely slippery surfaces.
Disadvantages of ARBs is the compressor, which sometimes leak, and the air lines, which can get damaged. Also, if you forget to unlock them on return to a hard surface, you can't steer at all.

Advantages of Detroit and Tru Trac LSD are that they are fit and forget, and you don't need to buy, or fit, anything but the diff internals.
 
Suffering Sod said:
I've seen Detroit but I have heard they can switch on under normal driving on the road...do correct me if I'm wrong.


Wind up is a threat with proper lockers but can't LSDs have issue in tight corners and tyre wear? I quite like the idea of it being on or off but open to your suggestions. I did want an Ox Locker as it is cable operated like the centre diff and simple but they are bloody expensive and I don't think they make them for landys and it is American (better than being made from chinesium I guess...).
Click to expand...
Forgot, never heard of Ox locker, and I am only going to comment on those I have used myself, ARBs and Detroits.
Quaife are supposed to be a fantastic LSD, but they are arms and legs, and I have never had one.

Detroit and Tru Trac are also American made, they are now made by Eaton Transmissions. They definitely make them for Landrovers.
 
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Suffering Sod said:
Wind up is a threat with proper lockers but can't LSDs have issue in tight corners and tyre wear?
Click to expand...

I don't think so, you'd need to be going pretty quick to get one wheel turning (a lot) faster than the other and if you did get one off the ground you would still have drive on both.
I guess tyre wear could increase if you are driving twisty roads all day but I don't see that as a canellation of the positive effects an LSD will have in slippery conditions.
 
write

a subject close to my nuts

i have experience with both the lsd and air lockers

the thing with lsd is it WILL lock when you don't expect it to

on tar or in mud - it will snap drive shafts when going from a state of no traction to lots of traction or the other way around as it cannot react fast enough being mechanical

the newer arb's have been redesigned and are very good

an enlarged air tank is the way to go to get instant pressure to enable locking

both are good

i don't like the lsd doing things unexpectedly and the side shaft breaking is a very real issue
having said that after breaking a rear side shaft and removing as much of the offending material the lsd enabled me to drive the 300 kilos or so back home
 
The Ashcroft Torque bias unit may well be your answer, Works like the old Torsen unit but is stronger.
Like LSD's nothing for the driver to do to activate, just does its thing. One the road it does the same as a normal diff, no strange noise's or feelings. As soon as wheel starts slipping does its thing. See Ashcroft site.
 
I think limited slips are pretty good for most conditions. I've never noticed any snatching or roughness from the transmission as they engage and disengage. Maybe if I was doing a lot of competition driving and being vigorous on the pedals to try and gain a couple of seconds it might feel different, but pottering around on smallholding duties, they're fine. The current set of BFG All Terrains have done 70,000 miles and still have plenty of tread left. I'm particularly pleased with the vehicle's ability to climb steep slopes with snow on, ascend hills with wet grass and do hill starts when the ground has heavy frost or compacted snow. Moreover, I don't find myself colliding with roadside trees or gateposts in such conditions, which seems to be de rigueur for my neighbours. There's only a couple of things that have defeated them, for example when I've been on a steep clay surface after heavy rain, or have embedded the wheels so far in the mud that the chassis is resting on the ground. But that's not really the fault of the diffs.
 
I’ve. Had both set ups, Detroit in the rear of my 110 with true trac in the front, it went everywhere fully locked vehicles went. Downside is on the road the Detroit has to unlock itself on corners to avoid tyre skipping as on wheel turns faster than the other. Back on the straight it locks again, with a mighty clunk, not the best for on road, also the Detroit isn’t recommended for a wheelbase less than 110 inches if I remember correctly.
Now have front and rear Ashcroft air lockers in my 90 with Arb compressor, fantastic off road and the control is with the driver as to when you want it on. With it turned off the car drives as standard.
I fitted Ashcroft cv’s and shafts as I was running 37” tyres at that time, on standard wheels you probably won’t need to use unrated shafts.
 
johnlad said:
I’ve. Had both set ups, Detroit in the rear of my 110 with true trac in the front, it went everywhere fully locked vehicles went. Downside is on the road the Detroit has to unlock itself on corners to avoid tyre skipping as on wheel turns faster than the other. Back on the straight it locks again, with a mighty clunk, not the best for on road, also the Detroit isn’t recommended for a wheelbase less than 110 inches if I remember correctly.
Click to expand...
Used to be the case. The newer Detroits are all "soft Lockers" now, they have some plastic bushes inside which makes them less harsh on the road.
They were fine in my Ninety, and excellent on slippery surfaces, which was what I was after.

Good to see you back, as well! :)
 
Turboman said:
Used to be the case. The newer Detroits are all "soft Lockers" now, they have some plastic bushes inside which makes them less harsh on the road.
They were fine in my Ninety, and excellent on slippery surfaces, which was what I was after.

Good to see you back, as well! :)
Click to expand...
Thanks. Didn’t think anyone would notice I’d snuck back in.
 
Sorry for the radio silence from me, the email notifications ceased notifiying!!
I might have to look into the Ashcroft torque bias unit.
@D1Nut do you have any experience with E-Lockers?

I'm also being a bit of a halfwit, I have a rover rear axle for my 90...is that a 24 spline?
 
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