Open Diff vs Diff Lock

[WillRunner]

Hi All,

So I've spent many years off roading in vehicles with open diffs (even non-4x4 vehicles), those were great years of learning finesse when it comes to maneuvering through certain obstacles... The last 15 years has been nice because I've had the luxury of a vehicle equipped with traction control and now my current rig that has both a rear locker and traction control. I was reminded of the "good ol' days" last weekend when I met a guy out on the trails in a nicely built 3rd Gen 4Runner that had open diffs. The video below shows the just how different life is having such a small luxury...

 

[MBroenkow]

big wheels and lift did exactly nothing for him.

 

[WJ - Firefly]

A year and a half ago, I added a lunchbox locker to my rear axle. Made all of the difference in the world. This weekend it began acting up and all of the sudden a steep gravel hill presented a problem. I am now in the process of replacing it with a vari-lock and hope it does what I need it to do, even though it won't be locked up all of the time.

 

[Barton Fink]

.

 

[squishware]

I have had lockers save my bacon on a loose climb in my LJ Rubicon. I see the F150 as a different purpose vehicle and do not plan them at this time.
PS: step 4: do not ever come to a complete stop in loose traction media.

 

[WillRunner]

You can make it through with open diffs. You need to know how to drive it; three words, brake throttle modulation.

Yep, I remember those days when I went rock crawling in my 74' FJ40, it certainly takes quite a measure of skill and coordination, but I made it to the top of the gate keeper at the Slick Rock Trail!

 

[Barton Fink]

.

 

[Tim]

Over time I have learnt two things.
1. With diff locks you can take obstacles in a much more mechanically sympathetic manner. Generally slower and easier.
2. With diff locks, when you do get stuck you are in a whole heap more trouble than you would have been without them!


Sent from my iPhone using OB Talk