ManfromStroud

New Member
Hello Folks.

My Land Rover is a 1998 Defender 90 300Tdi. I've had it nine years. It has about 126k miles on the clock. I only do about 1000 miles a year, quite a bit of which is in low ratio around my field with a trailer, often with the centre diff lock engaged. Most of the road work is local journeys also with a trailer, but long enough to get the engine and transmission warmed up. Apart from wheels and tyres, which are now Insa Turbo Special Tracks on larger rims, it's standard. I don't plan on using it for competitions. Only normal work.

I still need better traction on wet ground, so I've been having a good look on here for information about axle diff locks and I've come to the conclusion that Ashcroft Lockers are the best available. I plan to order a pair and fit them.

I've bought a pair of slave axles which I intend to swap for the ones currently on the vehicle in order to keep the vehicle serviceable whist I rebuild the original axles with the Ashcroft Lockers. Why not rebuild the slave axles with the lockers? Better the devil you know!

I shall replace wheel bearings, front swivel bearings, and seals. The swivel housing are pitted and leaking, so they'll be replaced along with their seals.

At 126k miles, I'm also expecting to have to replace the CV joints and maybe the half shafts front and rear. I'm assuming that they're all 24-spline. Brakes look OK at all four corners.

I'd really appreciate any tips and advice on things to be aware of, which swivel housings to use, and which half shafts and CV joints if I need them.

Also, does anyone have any suggestions on a suitable compressor for the Lockers? I was thinking perhaps a brake compressor off a commercial vehicle mounted on the engine air con compressor pad and driven by a V-belt. I intend at some point to fit a hydraulic system, so I don't want to use the transfer box PTO for the compressor.

Thanks in anticipation!
 
Any truck compressor that is belt driven is as old as the hills, have not seen one for 30 yrs now
 
As johnlad says,just stick an ARB compressor on,they are designed for the job,plus get a tyre inflator & you can pump the tyres up.
I fitted a pair of Ashcroft lockers to my 90 around 10yrs ago,when it was a challenge truck.I've since converted it to an overland camper,so they don't get as much use as they used to,but still work great.
Brilliant piece of kit.
Marc.
 
Your shafts and CVs may well be fine, especially the rears, so I would hold off ordering those until you’ve stripped it down.
 
I agree with retro.
You probably don't need to change the shafts & CV's,especialy if you have 24 splines fitted.Plus, H/D shafts only really necissary if you have BIG tyres & are giving it serious abuse off road.
Marc.
 

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