Date:         Thu, 6 Mar 2003 08:38:48 -0700
Reply-To:     Jeff K <kennedy@THERIVER.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Jeff K <kennedy@THERIVER.COM>
Subject:      Re: Diff lock in a 2wd
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="Windows-1252"

I didn't do any housing mods, personally. Daryl at AA transaxle took care of
all that. It's just a recycled housing from a syncro tranny, I believe.

The way the Diff lock works is that there's a "button" on the outside of the
housing, fore of the starter. Push the button in to turn on the locker, out
is off. I bought the factory vacuum actuator from Derek Drew (about $75).
Its connected to the "button" via a pin, and pushes it in or out when vacuum
is applied to one of two ports. I think you would be hard pressed to make it
work with a cable - you wouldn't be able to make it push the "button" in. I
wish I had taken some pictures during the install, but alas, I didn't. Maybe
some pics of the vacuum valves someday...

Other than this "button", there's really no difference between the housings
for the transmissions. For those asking about this option in an automatic,
I'd have no idea, you'd have to ask for Daryl - who was very helpful, I
would recommend him without reservations.

Jeff

----- Original Message -----
From: "Bill Knight" <bill.knight@USA.NET>


> Jeff,
>
> Please tell us about the housing modifications you did for
> the locking differential.  I'm seriously considering this
> option when I do my transmission rebuild soon.  Would it be
> possible to simply use a cable mechanism rather than the
> vacuum control?  I'm not familiar with the details of the
> diff lock setup, would you please describe how it works and
> how it fits into a 2wd diff?  I'd sure like that added
> traction!
>
> Thanks,
> Bill Knight
> Raleigh, NC