Outer Limits 4x4 Board

I Have 2 Mates that drive Couriers And They are wondering do they have a Vacuum Locker in the front

Define "Locker"

More than likely they may have vacuum operated differential disconnection or vacuum operated hubs, but they will not have vacuum operated locking diff, no Couriers ever did AFAIK.

More than likely they may have vacuum operated differential disconnection or vacuum operated hubs, but they will not have vacuum operated locking diff, no Couriers ever did AFAIK.

Vac operated diff locks are available as OEM on the front diff and I've only ever seen one and that was two weeks ago and on a 2004 model.

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Jimbo2 wrote:

More than likely they may have vacuum operated differential disconnection or vacuum operated hubs, but they will not have vacuum operated locking diff, no Couriers ever did AFAIK.

Vac operated diff locks are available as OEM on the front diff and I've only ever seen one and that was two weeks ago and on a 2004 model.

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You are talking about locking HUBS not locking DIFFERENTIAL (ie you don't have to go out and engage your hubs to get 4WD). No Ford/Mazda light commercial has ever had DIFF locks, front or rear.

No. It is a diff lock and first time I've seen an OEM on a Courier. By the way, I've been in the industry about 40 years as a Maintenance Supervisor and we run a fleet of around 200 4x4's, mostly Landy's and Patrols with the odd effie thrown in. It will try and get you some pics and a parts breakup of the Courier diff lock. And if you think seeing an OEM diff lock for Courier front diff doesn't piss me off, it does. I own a Courier and it's a different make of front diff to mine.

I would appreciate as much info on this as possible.

I see a Courier front end in my future....

Jimbo,

please keep us in the loop on this one.

Would love to know, as I reckon a few hundred other courier / bravo owners would also, what that diff is.

I have an 03 Bravo

Cheers

I've been looking for info on this front diff lock and the Malaysian Motor Trader had the following.....

Prior to 1997, pick-up trucks were mostly for commercial purposes and had tacky vinyl seats, hand-painted company names on the doors and a the cargo bed would be filled with tools or equipment… or a half a dozen workers!

The Ford Courier started to change that image with softer seat fabrics, eye-catching colours, carpets, an ergonomically-correct dashboard and a much less agricultural ride quality. To a certain group of off-road junkies, the lockable front differential meant going off-road was just a set of mud tyres away.

The Courier that came in for repairs is a 2004 model and ex Govt. It went on the hoist to replace the front RH drive shaft and that's when
the vac operated diff lock came to light. At the time, we were flat out trying to get a 100 series wagon back to the bush so I didn't have a good look at it. However, a vac-operated cylinder & yoke moves a carrier which has pins protruding from it. These engage in a counterpart and lock the diff. Can't wait to get into work tomorrow and chase this up

Guys, the Ford Courier is a SOUTH AFRICAN version and comes with factory-fitted front diff lock. We had the vehicle on the hoist and had a good look at the diff (photos to follow). Vacuum/electric operated lock.

The South African 4x4 Community forum has a heap of discussion on Ford/Mazda diffs, ratios and front and rear lockers. However, one
Courier owner mentioned that the front diffs are weak and this may be why we haven't seen front lockers en masse in Australia.

how did you go with more info on the factory courier locker, pics? can they be bought anywhere or not? i reckon the front driveshafts/axles will go before the diff just about every time, but that's just me!

Hi would like to know if this is confirmed or another urban legend
as my friend who is very interested in a front locker.

Any proof of its existence? tia

It's for real and when I work out how to post an image in this forum, you'll see it.

The locker is electric/vacuum and looks like a small version of a maxi brake booster on the front RHS of the diff. If you want info on it, go to the Ford Ranger section on one of the South African 4x4 forums.

Talking to the South African boys about the possibility of importing a diff into Oz and installing it, they agreed that it could be done, PROVIDED the diff ratio at the rear is compatible with that being installed in the front end.

http://www.photobucket.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

put the pic on there then copy the image code. its easy