Diff Locks - Which is the better option?

[RobG65]

I have a 91 Rangie, im thinking about putting a diff locker in the rear. I would like to hear everyones opinion on the pros and cons between ARB, McNamara and Maxi Drive.

Also I notice that McNamara have an option vacuum Vs air, is one preferable to the other and why?

TIA

RobG65

[HSV Rangie]

ARB is ok but you will need to get maxi drive axles,

Maxi drive is excellent unit but you are stuck with the rover R&P.

JACMAC gives you the choiuce of using the rover R&P with an air or acume locker. Or to fit a hipoid diff centre (uses Toy R&P) you get huge 30 spline axles to go with it.

JACMAC in Melb.
ARB anywhere.
Maxidrive Brisbane.

Regards
Michael.

[GRIMACE]

contact details

[HSV Rangie]

JACMAC:
http://www.mcnamaradiffs.com.au/

Maxidrive:
http://www.4wdworld.com.au/products/maxidrive/

ARB you can find.

Michael.

[RaginRover]

contact details

Fix your auto

Basically Rob you more than likely have 10 spine rover axels which will snap like match sticks with an arb air locker. How they can even sell an ARB locker kit for a 10 spline rover and have a conscience is beyond me.

Of course it all depends on what setup you are running, Aquarangie has had an ARB locker and 10 splines with some 32" tyres and has had good success with it, the axels lasted about a year.

Fixing up the drive line in a rangie is expensive, you have to work out which way you are going, there are a couple of other options

1. Fit a locker to your 10 spine setup and buy some spare axels
drive around and break sh*t until you are sick of buying replacements and extracting the broken bits

2. 24 spine disco axels will fit as long as you change the diff (only req'd to change if you don't have a locker setup ), so you if you can find a disco rear housing disc to disc for cheap $$ grab it and slap it under you rangie. (same ration 3.54) Buy the 24 spline side gears for your locker and she will fit then you will be set. The 24s seem to hold up pretty well for standard rangie off roading 32" tyres would run fine.

3. Toyota axels and diff can fit in the rangie housing with some minor mods you end up with 30 spine hilux running gear (watch the ratios - although there are a lot of ratio options) buy different locker for it

Just some of my thoughts

Tom

[RobG65]

Thanks for the replys so far. I have 245x75x16 Tires and dont realy want to change except maybe later to 235x85x16 down the track. I was thinking of going to the 24 spline axles as part of this, get them before the 10 spline ones bite me.

Michael, whats wrong with the Rover Ring and Pinion gears?
"Maxi drive is excellent unit but you are stuck with the rover R&P. "

Tom, as a matter of interest, how much machining is involved in getting the lux axles and diff to fit, any ideas on costs and where it can be done? I was also interested in whats involved etc in gettting Toyota CVs adapted at a later date.

Regards

RobG65

[HSV Rangie]

Rob,

RR R@P is the next weak link once you replace the carrier and axles.

I have toy centres in my RR, jac mac axles. (almost ready to go back in)
Profield CVs and a front toy HP diff about to go in, just witing on axles and drive flanges.

Work required:
rear bore out spindles aprox 20thou, redrill Rover housing to take toy centres, (Have template for this) then bolt all parts in.

Front:
drill housing, spindles require boring and a toy bush fitted then you can run toy cvs.

easy as.

regards
Michael.

[Aquarangie]

Ahh, those awful 10 splines

Well, I shouldn't whinge, got 18 months out of my original set with 31 inch tyres (245/75R16 BFG all-terrains), but I will be pullinmg my air locker apart and fitting 24 spline side gears now that the 32 inch MT/Rs are on board (235/85R16's), but it will be a bit further down the track,when I can afford it that is!!

But in all fairness, the ARB center has been trouble-free and has been given a good hammering off-road in the 2 years it has been fitted.

If you wish to go for the air locker, go for the 24 spline Disco version, straight fit, just have to locate a set of 24 spliners. Or like HSV Rangie said, fit maxi-drive axles (have heard a couple of blokes fit these with great results).

there all good systems, but there asll better in one way or another, pending what you do with your Rangie

Good luck,

Trav

[RobG65]

From what Ive heard is that around the 200K-250K Klm the case hardening wears from the surface of the Rangie R&P is this true? I was told a new R&P set would cost around $700.

Has any one sourced these from the UK?

Regards
RobG65

[Maxtd5def]

Has any one sourced these from the UK?

I guess you're talking Kamm or Ashcroft, wouldn't be much point in importing a std diff would there?

Last time I enquired it was about $1400 each end, landed and fitted. That was for 4.1s, I doubt 3.54s would be any different.

Regards
Max P

[mickrangie]

From what Ive heard is that around the 200K-250K Klm the case hardening wears from the surface of the Rangie R&P is this true? I was told a new R&P set would cost around $700.

Has any one sourced these from the UK?

Regards
RobG65

I got rover R&P about 12 months in a 4.1 ratio for about 550 - 600 (can't really remeber) they were from the US got them from Lez Richmond Automotive ( www.lrautomotive.com.au ) I drive like a minga with 35 ET's and havn't broken anything yet (still running std front end and Maxi in the rear) but... I don't let my rig axle hop or give it a hard time unless i am in a straigt line (most of the time)

HTH

[landy_man]

a minga with 35 ET's and havn't broken
anything yet

that is because you have been driving with girls

[landy_man]

[Aquarangie]

I thought I was pretty smug when I got 18 months out of my 10 spline axles and 31 incg all-terrains after I put the air locker in, then busted them second time out with 32 inch MT/R's

Plus, I wasn't trying too hard, and I wasn't doing girlie driving either. I hate breaking shit off-road and try to advoid it, but when it happens, you get that

Trav

[B.D.R]

I'd personally go for maxi drive as ive had them and so have most other rover owners i know but that's just my opinion, They never gave us any grief, as for R&P RANUKI off here runs 35 centerpedes and did'nt break the standerd R&P.

And the rangie's were/are driven like we stole them and don't like the bloke.

[RobG65]

Thanks to All, looks like im heading towards the Maxi Drive unit and thier axles from all I have heard. I was quoted $2600 fully fitted with new bearings as well fitted.

I have seen a crowd in the States, East Cost Rover selling Ring and Pinion Sets for around $550AUD+shipping. I' decide what to do with the front diff later on when I find some more cash! Perhaps just upgrading it with Disco 24 Spline axle and diff will surfice, with the posibility of using Toyota CVs if mine ever crap out on me.

Regards
RobG65