Outer Limits 4x4 Board

What do you guys thinks would be better for a discovery.

1. Rear ARB air locker

2. 2" lift and new dampers

The car is a daily driver so I don't want any changes to the way it drives. I am leaning more towards the air locker as I'm quite impressed with the stock suspension anyway and I feel the air locker would be able to push the car through any of the trails that we do anyway.

Does anyone know the insurance implications of either. ie do they increase the cost of insurance by much or is the amount neglible.

Lift. The air lockers wont really give you a great deal. If you're into territory that requires a locker over ETC, then you will need lift on it.

You don't mention what year the disco is if it is an earlyish one it will have 10 spline axles so that would mean no ARB for you.

Tom

Depends what sort of trails you drive.

Where do you find the Disco is limited currently? What stops it offroad?

Its a 97 SE Discovery V8 Auto. So far the only thing to stop us was a small creek crossing, but that can be put down to not enough momentum. So far we havn't done that much serious stuff but I'm keen on doing some mud runs. Also it takes full throttle and a run up to get up certain dunes. We get close to the top and then the momentum isn't enough to take us over and the wheels are left spining. On the same dunes, cars with locked diffs make it up and at a much slower (and safer) speed.

I replaced my standard springs and shocks because they had reached the end of their useful life (sagging springs and shot shocks) therefore the extra value of a lift and decent shocks has been realised both on and off road. A significant improvement on both accounts.

I'd always start with this. I can get to most of the places I need to go with added confidence because I have a better chance of keeping the wheels on the ground.

When the diffs need replacement I'll do the locker/axle thing.

As for Insurance it depends on the fine print (as usual )

A recent conversation here:

http://www.aulro.com/modules.php?name=F ... pic&t=2174

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If your suspension is fine at the moment ie not sagging then I'd say locker as it allows you to drive with more control than without. It can make a dramatic increase in ability far and above that which 2" springs would. The locker will enable you to tackle things without having to do the full throttle and hope for the best approach

Things for you to do today.

Take one of you rear axles out and count the spines on it ......

If it is 10 - forget the locker
If it is 24 - consider the locker

Tom

For increased sand dune ability, give it a lift so u can fit some taller tyres. this allows a larger footprint when tyres r deflated.
Lift the body 50mm & fit some 33's, leave the locker for later.

A 97 has 24 spline axles (I think) so a locker is fine. From experience a rear locker will take you further than a spring or body lift, your diffs will still be the same height off the ground and hang up unless you get bigger tyres.

stuee wrote:Also it takes full throttle and a run up to get up certain dunes. We get close to the top and then the momentum isn't enough to take us over and the wheels are left spining. On the same dunes, cars with locked diffs make it up and at a much slower (and safer) speed.

Your running too much pressure. Lockers should make no difference on sand. The Discos are heavy so need more tyres and power. Tyre pressure is really all that matters on sand. Larger tyres allow for lower pressures.

thing was though we were down to 15 psi already and we didn't want to lose the tyres of the rims. In all fairness it was a bloody big dune.

So far people it seems 50/50 for the locker or lift

Locker.

You summed it up yourself when you said that the only thing that stopped you was a small creek crossing where you needed more "momentum"

I hate using momentum to get my car where I need to. Momentum causes damage. If you have more lift (more compression travel) you can hit things harder and it will "feel" ok, but you will still be flogging the car to get it places.

Lockers let you slow down and look after the car more, you don't need to use momentum anywhere near as much. this tend to lead to less mistakes, less damage, and as you are driving slower across obstacles, you won't need as much clearance to allow for the bouncing etc.

Sooner or later you will want lockers anyway, but suspension is something that tends to get messed around with a bit as you develop the car- spend the money once - get the locker.

A 2" lift will not allow a meaningfully bigger tyre to be fitted without lowering the bumpstops, cutting the guards or fitting abody lift, so a small lift will not help there.

You add maybe 15% to your capability with a lift, and 100% with a locker.

yeh i think your right. Locker it is then i think.

After reading other threads it seems arb is not the only locker around. What are the cost of the other lockers fitted compared to the arb's.

best options for lockers:

maxi drive around $1800.00

Jacmac similar costs.

Jac mac full hipoid $2800.00 this the best .

Both the maxi and JM come with new axles.
JM hipoid comes with 30 spline axles.

Michael.

Do those prices include fitting or just the locker and axles. I don't think I'm competent enough just yet to change diffs and axles. In the arb catalouge its $1900 fitted.

I don't suppose you'd know who in WA fits the maxis or Jac Mac's do you? or can any differential workshop install them and you just supply them the parts.

prices not fitted:

ARB can be had for anything from $950.00 to $1300.00 not fited.

with the ARB you will break axles unless very careful. (they donot come with H/D axles)


Michael.

looks like maxi's will be the locker to go for.

cheers for help and opinions people

See WA diff centre [Richard] for fitment.
I fitted an ARB locker & 24 spline Disco axles to my Rangie 5 years ago & never had a problem [ serious 4WDing with a sensible approach ], but mates with same have had axle dramas.
I still think some bigger rubber is the best first step, those pissy 29 inch tyres r the Rover's biggest off-road hinderance, 32's at least should be standard fitment [ ala cruiser, patrol ]