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Date:         Wed, 17 Jul 2002 09:42:39 -0700
Reply-To:     Todd Last <Rubatoguy@MINDSPRING.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Todd Last <Rubatoguy@MINDSPRING.COM>
Subject:      Re: Locking differential
Comments: To: "Fitz-Randolph, Douglas" <Doug@BEACONTEL.TV>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii; format=flowed

From what I have heard, the lockright type of diferentials are not really suitable for street use. I know there was at least one listmember who went this route and ended up removing the diff. The reason?

Here is a good explaination posted on a 4x4 website:

> When driving in a straight line the locker is normally locked. On dry > pavement, when cornering, the outer wheel over-running the speed of > the axle unlocks the outside axle shaft. Power is applied to the > inside wheel only. This can cause a noticeable under-steer. > Additionally, if enough power is applied while in the turn, the axle > will lock up and the vehicle either slips wildly, spins or straightens > out suddenly. These differentials sometimes make a clicking noise when > cornering; some find this objectionable.

Todd '88 Westy

Fitz-Randolph, Douglas wrote:

>Hi all. I have a few comments about this. > >First, about the benefits of a locking rear diff on a 2WD Vanagon... During >one winter I had the driveshaft out of my syncro, effectively making it a >2WD Vanagon. The locking rear differential made a huge difference, both in >overall ability to keep going straight while driving slowly on snow-covered >roads, and in not getting stuck trying to make it up the un-shoveled >driveway after a daytime snowfall. The difference was like night and day. >I'd have to say that from my personal on-road snow experience, having a >locking diff on a 2WD van would be a nice addition. Mud / off-road? Maybe a >different story, but having the ability to have power at 2 wheels would >logically seem to be better than having it at just one. In fact, check the >link in the next section - they've got a neat illustration of how having 2WD >and a locking diff can be superior in certain situations to having 4WD and >no locking diff. > >Second, about the Lockright diff locker offered by Desert Rat... this is >different than the stock syncro diff lock - it is not manually engaged and >disengaged. It's similar to "posi-traction" (though they say it is far >superior to that), meaning if one wheel slips, the diff will lock to provide >power to both wheels. I've never owned a vehicle with Lockright or >posi-traction, so I can't comment on its effectiveness in any situation. I >also cannot offer any information on what effect it would have on tire wear, >etc. To see what Lockright says about it - which I think is quite >interesting, go to http://www.lockright.com/ . I will add this, though... it >might be a solution to the problem of what to do about locking diffs on an >I4 diesel conversion where, correct me if I am wrong, the starter - or >something - interferes with the operation of the stock rear diff lock. Just >a thought. > >Cheers, >Doug Fitz-Randolph >Freeport, ME > > >Original Message >------------------------------------------------------------ >Date: Tue, 16 Jul 2002 11:21:55 -0700 >From: Michael Ramer <elvisramer@COX.NET> >Subject: Re: Locking differential > >As for the 2WD vans and locking differentials, I believe it was decided that >due to the Vanagons' near 50/50 weight distribution, that a rear locker >would not really be very benefiical. I tend to agree, but my particular >offroad experiences in a 2WD Westy is all I have to draw on though. Anyone >have one installed on [any] 2WD Vanagon? >Now if a diff locker were available for my '72 Bus, I might be ineterested, >as I believe it to be better setup for such beatings. I am talking dirt vs. >snow though. Hmmm. >Mike >----- Original Message ----- >From: "Ben McCafferty" <ben@KBMC.NET> >To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM> >Sent: Monday, July 15, 2002 9:07 PM >Subject: Re: Locking differential > > > > >>It was an option on syncros, and German Transaxles in Bend, OR, will also >>install a front diff lock on the syncro for about $500. I believe some >> >> >have > > >>put a syncro tranny with locker into a 2WD vanagon with good results. >>bmc :) >>"Faith will move mountains, but you'd better bring a shovel...." >> >> >> >> >>>From: "Nemo, the Bus Captain" <nemobuscaptain@YAHOO.COM> >>>Reply-To: "Nemo, the Bus Captain" <nemobuscaptain@YAHOO.COM> >>>Date: Mon, 15 Jul 2002 20:57:46 -0700 >>>To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM >>>Subject: Locking differential >>> >>>I remember Lilly saying he had this on his >>>vanagon, but I've never seen them advertised >>>before. Just the trick for you beach or snow >>>guys? (Or not?) >>> >>>http://www.desertrat.com/lockright/lockright.htm >>> >>>===== >>>Peace and blessings, >>>Nemo, the Bus Captain >>> >>>74 Westy For Sale: http://www.geocities.com/nemobuscaptain/index.html >>> >>>__________________________________________________ >>>Do You Yahoo!? >>>Yahoo! Autos - Get free new car price quotes >>>http://autos.yahoo.com >>> >>> >>> > > >


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