I really should consider a winch at some point...but I love the look I've got up front and am not ready for an ARB bumper. I sort of think that at 10 years old, I'm ready to make the LR3 more of an adventure car for camping and light duty off-road. It's spent enough time on 3 (sometimes 2) wheels at this point.

 

I've got a discreet or hidden winch mount. You can barely notice it.

http://www.disco3.co.uk/gallery/disp...um=21898&pos=0

 

Looks good....but then there is the problem of my A-Frame brushbar, which I love. If I have to ditch that, then I'm going ARB Bumper!

Anyway, none of this is gonna happen! My LR3 evolved during the first 4.5 years of ownership. Since then it has been stable and I love the way it looks/drives/feels/performs. I'm good. I'd only really need a winch if I were going out alone. I don't do that; and for the stuff I do up here, I think I'm okay without it. There was only one time I could've used one. Luckily other people were there that did have one or I might be telling you about the time I put my LR3 on its side!

 

FWIW this isn't unique to Land Rovers or ARB. Buy any locker for Jeep/Ford/GM and you wont get gears or bearings. Setting up gears can be a bit tedious but the procedure should be the same as any other differential. The catch 22 is that I haven't seen any preload or backlash figures for the diff. Would be nice if someone could post those.

While searching for the backlash specs found this, sort of off topic but this post shows the inside of one of the diffs where the coating failed
DISCO3.CO.UK - View topic - POO! looks like the front diff.

 

My ARB RD218 came with new TIMKEN bearings. There is a warning on the ARB store that not all kits do. I know Lucky8 sells the bearings too. Ill try to get the settings and some install pics, but thankfully I'm not doing this install. I found a LR tech that has rebuilt a few rear diffs and knows the factory specs.

 

Morris you going to try and use your snazzy software display to allow activation of that locker or are you going to use a hardware-toggle? That's going in the rear, right?

 

Probably not, but that would be easier install. Im undecided because uncertain how often would I need to switch it locked/unlocked when wheeling? I like using the screen for the under truck camera view at the very same times I would probably need to lock the rear diff. Its 2 touch screen touches to get to the soft switches - so that might be a "distraction" when my focus should be elsewhere. If I do the physical switches I want to try and fit them in this indent but Im not sure there is 1.5inches of depth of clearance.:




Im also seriously considering running it off the factory air, but I couldn't piece together all the metric fittings in time for my next trip (Uwharrie Safari, NC). Thats would eliminate the need for the compressor switch. My other possible location is to mount it is the plastic piece behind the parking brake.

Open to suggestions.

 

Umm no. Setting up differentials is not rocket science. Special tools needed: dial indicator, calipers, torque wrench, gear marking compound ( works way better than what comes in most gear kits), and being thorough getting the pattern correct. Preload and backlash information is not some closely guarded secret in the drivetrain world, except for perhaps in the case of Land Rover LR3 differentials.

Knock offs of what? I didn't realize the ability to assemble a kit of bearings and seals is a patented process. Having the data and not posting it doesn't do anything to protect your product, it just makes you a dick.

It's been 13 years since I rebuilt a diff (they are still working fine), at the time installing Detroit lockers with new ring and pinion, both axles on my Ford F350. It was a long process. Of the owners needing a rebuilt diff I image only about 1 in 20 would undertake rebuilding it themselves. Perhaps more as the LR3 gets older and they find their way into the hands of owners more likely to work on their vehicles.

morrisdl - looking forward to your install. FWIW I found that I wish I could have "turned off" my front locker whenever I was making tight turns. The only way to do that with the Detroit was to take it out of 4WD. I think a mechanical switch would be more ergonomic and easier to use without having to look away.

 

Morris I like that spot AFT of the parking brake, as well. Funny you mention number of button presses and distraction. That's the sort of thing I have to consider in my job on a regular basis. ....and I would agree, you almost want to be able to just go to the switch using muscle memory. Then again if you are locking your diff mid-obstacle it may be too late!

As for the question of not knowing how often you'll be locking/un-locking...the answer had better be "a lot" or else why even purchase/install it???

The consensus on these boards for years has always been that the LR3 doesn't really need the locker. The vehicles with the HD package can do things slightly easier than the non-HD variants, but mostly they just don't use the traction control as much. For instance my LR3 rarely ever has TC kick in. If I watch the 4x4 info screen, on the other hand, it's locking and un-locking diffs all the time. Sometimes the center, sometimes both, sometimes just the rear (that surprises me) but it's very dynamic.

I was wheelin' behind an FJ Cruiser last summer. He has a manual rear locker from the factory. A few times, he failed an obstacle, backed up a few feet, locked it, then went right over the obstacle. That may be what you run into yourself except on much more formidable obstacles. I'd think you'd likely still clear the obstacle we saw, but with TC.

I don't know if that's an indictment of the FJ or the dude's driving....or both.

 

I was un/fortunate enough to follow a LR3 HD around for a day and saw how significant the little differences there were. I did more difficult trails that day than I have ever done and got stuck on a rock climb and needed a winching (the HD did not). The HD LR3 was slow and steady, where mine always needed a little more throttle and drama to get though the same things. The HD would walk over an obstacle where the traction control (TC) needed a little wheel spin to kick in. Before that day, I was perfectly happy with the capabilities of the TC. I have always kept up with the Defender and Jeep Rubi in our groups. Hopefully the locker should just make it a little easier on the truck, tires, and trails.

I decided on the hybrid option. Compressor power is on the screen and the locker is behind the parking brake. This way it never gets turned on accidentally.





ARB CKMA12 Air Compressor (sorry its blurry):