locking the rear diff

is there any way to modify the rear diff to be able to lock it?

I used to drive a shogun and this was great fun in the snow, principally because you could drop it into Rwd and lock the rear diff and it would drift like a pro. The discovery just has too much and too little traction in the wrong places. so because I'm bored, I'm looking at ways to modify the front prop to sort the 2wd issue with a sliding dog, and asking if there's any way I can modify the diff to lock on command, prefferably without swapping the axle or spending any money! I dont wanna weld it as its used mostly on the road, just want to make it a bit more fun in the slippy stuff. It'll probably never happen mind, but I need, yes Need, to know if its possible.

If not I'll be looking at building me a 4x4 steam car. that would be a nice little project.
thanks!
JKx

Yeah fit an air locker

you can get free wheeling hub kits ,comes with replacement centre diff gears to make the car rwd unless in difflock ,why youd want to is another thing

Sounds like you need a Skyline

GreenHornet said:

Sounds like you need a Skyline

Click to expand...

sounds like a much better idea

Dr_evil said:

Yeah fit an air locker

Click to expand...

is it possible to build one out of, or into an existing diff? how do they work?

James Martin said:

free wheeling hub kits

Click to expand...

mmm, now I hadn't considered that, cheers

as for why, why not? the old disco doesn't drift over well, nowt like my old jap wagon. she keeps trying to drive with her front feet as well, which is just plain inconsiderate when you're trying to be cool in an empty icy car park.

could always just fit mitsi diffs if the dimensions are right


If not to make an air locker you need to have some pistons in there with extra spiders on them so they engage with the current open ones and lock them in place (I think) Not dismantled a locker before nor googled images

You can't build DIY lockers unless you have a machine shop. Shame as it would negate spending almost £700 on each diff.

Only cheap option is to weld the diff up but that's impractical when using it on the road.

To be honest you are trying to make a disco do something it isn't capable of. Yeah you an 4 wheel drift easily with the CDL in, but its permanent 4WD so drifting and power sliding isn't in it's realm.

Jap stuff has free wheeling hubs so are mostly RWD and therefore they are both heavy and have little traction so great from spinning around like a hooligan. That's why pikeys have em lol...

Other option would be to buy a second hand axle with one fitted

GreenHornet said:

Sounds like you need a Skyline

Click to expand...

Wash your mouth out........... think you meant Cosworth!!

Simple solution, get a heavier right foot.

Discovery 300TDi drifting in the snow! - YouTube

Mines a good laugh in the snow without the centre diff locked and not much rpm....and thats on 33's/285's.

Fast in, dip clutch, load of revs and sidestep the clutch. Would not advise in the wet or dry without leaving a pile of metalwork behindyou when it spits the diffs/tbox/gbox out though...

Other alternatives include a rear air locker/slip diff, welding the rear diff, or buying a rwd car.

well, I don't have a machine shop, or any money for new axles/diffs, so that answers that question then!

what I do have is an angel grinder and a miggy wiggy, so I'm off to build me a steam car then or rather convert a car to run on steam. It can be done and it will be done, and it shall be Awesome

Air lockers have moving collars that are around the 4 planet gears, splined into the outer diff cage (which is a solid round drum not an open cage like standard diff) then when you apply air these 2 rings are spread out wards so that they then engage with the sun years which are also splined around their outside. So you've got splined sun gears locked to splined rings which are locked to splined outer diff case. Thus, diff is locked

You ain't making that in a hurry by the way!

This is with centre and rear locked. I think in RWD only I may have not had enough traction to move the car, whereas in AWD with rear locked was enough traction but also plenty of slip due to rear lock:

Churning it up in the V8 discovery - YouTube

Pikey or Ricer?

tombardier said:

Pikey or Ricer?

Click to expand...

?

I am referring to the op

You can see why 4x4s get a bad name in that u-tube clip, he's never heard of "tread lightly".:crazy:

tombardier said:

I am referring to the op

Click to expand...

Oh!

discool said:

You can see why 4x4s get a bad name in that u-tube clip, he's never heard of "tread lightly".:crazy:

Click to expand...

Not on a privately owned field you can't.

If you turned the camera round 180 degrees you'd see a pay and play site-cum-disused quarry with a motorcross track next to it.

When I'm on a green lane I tread very lightly, when I'm on a privately owned field with a pay and play site in it, I may tread heavily on the accelerator and this video was no exception

Why not drop your front prop and stick it in diff lock? If you that desperate to go rwd