Which Modern 4x4's come with Difflocks?

[SystemParanoia]

Which of the modern 4x4's come with difflocks ( front or rear or centre ) other than the Discovery 3 and the Ranger rover's ?

[Hereward]

VW Toerag. Centre diff lock as standard with rear diff lock optional. They both lock up automatically or can be manually locked.

I assume the Porker Cayenne has the same option since it's essentially the same wagon.

[normalbloke]

Unimog.

[SystemParanoia]

is the vw actually a good offroader? vs a disco?

[JVaughan]

Land cruiser .. rear standard, others optional. same as Patrol.
Toureg has them, Disco has rear difflock.
Smaller suzuki's have autolocking hubs rather than difflocks as standard.

[normalbloke]

"Smaller suzuki's have autolocking hubs rather than difflocks as standard"

The 2 devices have totally different functions.

[andy400]

Landcruiser - centre and rear as standard.

ETA Merc G-Wagen - centre, front and rear as standard, but by 'eck it's expensive for what it is!

Edited by andy400 on Thursday 30th April 11:32

[Della]

I have a 2005 Landcruiser Prado which has a switchable centre diff lock and a rear limited slip diff as standard. I'm sure the new ones have the same.

Edited by Della on Thursday 30th April 11:46

[300bhp/ton]

SystemParanoia said:

Which of the modern 4x4's come with difflocks ( front or rear or centre ) other than the Discovery 3 and the Ranger rover's ?

I think we need to clarify what a diff lock is and what it’s for and when it’s used.


A centre diff lock has a very different purpose to a diff lock on an axle.

In a Land Rover (Defender, Disco, RR) you have a centre diff lock. All this does is lock both the output shafts from (front/rear) so they spin at the same speed. The diff is needed because the vehicles are full time 4WD and need it for tight manoeuvring.

Something like a Jeep or Toyota that is part time 4WD, meaning its 2wd until you select 4wd is at no disadvantage as centre diff lock only matches what other 4wd setups are.

Axle diff locks are very useful, but often aren’t needed. Can cause more trouble than they are worth when used, often break things and only have real benefits on certain types of terrain.

Also, modern TCS systems for the most part do away with the need for lockers unless you have a specific need for them.

So what are you planning to use the 4x4 for? And why do you think it needs lockers?

If you want all out then a Wrangler Rubicon is probably your best bet. Ultra low ratio low range for crawling, really strong Dana 44 axles and diffs and lockers front and rear. It also has TCS too.

The D3 has a centre diff and then uses electronics (TCS) to achieve very good results. In the US you can get an options pack that includes a locking rear diff, but I’ve never seen it in the UK listed.

I’m sure lots of other 4x4’s have a rear locker, TCS or maybe an LSD. But it doesn’t mean they are going to be the best off road.

Having said that, you can fit lockers to most vehicles.

In the case of the Wrangler, Jeep only imported 19 Rubicons to the UK in the first year, so finding one might be hard work. The normal Sport/Sahara model doesn’t have lockers (doesn’t really need them with the TCS though). However you can buy a rear locker as a genuine part and if your dealer fits it, it won’t void your warranty.

[Lefty Guns]

normalbloke said:

Unimog.

[Pentoman]

Hereward said:

VW Toerag. Centre diff lock as standard with rear diff lock optional. They both lock up automatically or can be manually locked.

wanted to mention the rear diff lock is standard on the V10 models, as is adjustable height air suspension. I think all the VWs/Porsche have a low range too. No idea if they're any good off road.

[Lefty Guns]

I can't imagine many people taking their shiny expensive offroaders offroad to an extent where they really need difflocks!

[pugwash4x4]

Lefty Guns said:

I can't imagine many people taking their shiny expensive offroaders offroad to an extent where they really need difflocks!

i can- fried of mine has had a succession of G4 spec RRS and discoveries- all of which are well used off road- and all of which had a rear locker

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pf2hrlhGnrI

[JVaughan]

normalbloke said:

"Smaller suzuki's have autolocking hubs rather than difflocks as standard"

The 2 devices have totally different functions.

Yup, Tis true.

[ian_c_uk]

LWB Grand Vitara has a centre difflock.

I think certain engined SWB GV's have them also.

[Kermit power]

Don't know about new ones, but my '99 Shogun has a rear locker as standard. If you're looking at these, it's worth noting that import Pajeros don't.

[uk_vette]

300bhp/ton said:

SystemParanoia said:

Which of the modern 4x4's come with difflocks ( front or rear or centre ) other than the Discovery 3 and the Ranger rover's ?

Something like a Jeep or Toyota that is part time 4WD, meaning its 2wd until you select 4wd

I have to correct you there,
Since when where the Land Cruiser LC series (pictured)

part time 4 wheel drive?
All the LC3, LC4, LC5, Invincibles, are all permanent 4 wheel drive.
No option for 2 wheel drive.

'vette

[jagracer]

Discoveries and the smaller Land Cruisers don't have rear diff locks, not sure about the large (Amazon) LCs though.

Edited by jagracer on Saturday 2nd May 19:31

[Hereward]

My VW Toe-rag's difflock selector

4 settings;
High ratio with auto-locking centre and rear diffs,
Low ratio with auto-locking centre and rear diffs,
Low ratio with manually locked centre diff and auto-locking rear diff,
Low ratio with manually locked centre diff and manually locked rear diff.

Edited by Hereward on Saturday 2nd May 21:40

[uk_vette]

jagracer said:

Discoveries and the smaller Land Cruisers don't have rear diff locks, not sure about the large (Amazon) LCs though.

Edited by jagracer on Saturday 2nd May 19:31

-

-
Amazons are either the last 80 series, up to about 1997 'ish or newer 100 series.
(There is the new 200 series now, but not sure this is called 'Amazon')

My Land Cruiser pictured above is the 120 series, which followed on from the 90 series Colrado.

I can assure you the 120 series, as pictured above, up to about 2007, all had mechanical rear diff locks, and mechanical center diff locking. Normal center diff, unlocked mode was limited slip type,
After that they had the electronic 'wheel braking' to prevent the 'non traction ' wheel from spinning in free air.

'vette