ARB or MAXI drive front diff

[wazzarockdog]

Hi guys.

I'm new to all this and need a little bit of advice.

I have a 82 rangie and want to put a locker in the front diff but don't know whether to go with ARB or MAXI drive. I already have a MAXI in the rear diff.

ARB only uses the standed axles where MAXI comes with stronger alxes and cost about $400 more.

I've been told that the CV's in early rangie's are bigger than the later one's. Is that ture?

How strong are the stub axles! Will they be the weakest link in the front diff?

Thanks Wazza

[D110V8D]

If you choose ARB get some maxi inner axles. Otherwise you'll be fine.

Early RR CV's are stronger than later ones. The stub axle will be your "fuse" as in easy to get to and replace if it breaks in the field.

HTH

[Bush65]

Only problem with Maxi-drive front locker is, the vacuum actuator is slower unlocking. Air lockers like Macnamarra or ARB will unlock quicker.

This can be a disadvantage when you get past the obstacle which required the front locked, but then need better steering control to avoid trouble.

An 82 rangie would have the early, stronger (for rangie) cv's. The problem is they use 10 spline axles.

Better to convert to 24 spline (at diff) inner axles and early 110 County cv's (strongest Rover cv, barring 101). Or aftermarket 4340/300M cv's.

[HSV Rangie]

jacmac air operated diff lock.

MIchael.

[muddydigger]

So what would you suggest for A 97 disco ARB or MAXIDRIVE?

[HSV Rangie]

Maxi or jacmac

[Aquarangie]

I run a front maxi drive and they are slow to disengage, but any diff lock under load will take time. At least with the MD the warning light will stay on til it's unlocked unlike the ARB.

I was planning on fitting an ARB 24 spline and maxi axles to the front, but the cost was about the same (ARB/Maxi combo about $200 cheaper) but went the full maxi kit as I got it for a good price anyway.

Trav

[cloughy]

Thats all very well, but the cost of fitting a maxi drive compared to an ARB, i'd imagine is quite considerable for those who can't do it themselves

[Reddo]

As noted Jac Mac like the others, will take time to unlock cause it relies on springs to disengage, and this can't happen when the unit is bound up with torque. But you quickly learn to centre the steering momentarily to relieve the strain, and know straight away when it's out cause the sttering frees up. Usually does not cause any dramas, and the Jac Mac unit is very strong in construction.

Gets some later model 24 spilne or aftermarket axles though (straight swap in the rear), and consider using Nissan GU CVs up front - Jac Mac can do the mods for these too. Note, you can't get the County CVs easily (and they cost heaps), and from what I was told, comp users have gone back to RR CVs and stubs cause they are easy to replace should/when they break. I guess Nissan CVs would equate or even exceed County CV strength anyway.