Member Since: 01 Jan 2011
Location: Kent
Posts: 291
Active Rear Diff
I'm hoping to take overland trips when my son is old enough so I want to get my D4 spec right now.
I did a day at LRE last week and the instructor told me that the traction control is so good that it can basically handle anything even if you don't have a locking rear diff.
But what do the experts think? What situations will be problematic if you don't have it?
Thanks, PaulD4 HSE, Active Rear Diff, surround cameras, adaptive xenons, heated steering wheel, TPMS, remote park heating, centre console cooler box
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12th Sep 2011 12:42 pm
MogulBoy
Member Since: 07 Feb 2010
Location: Devon
Posts: 140
I am no expert but specced the diff on my D4 European SE.
I won't be doing much 'proper' off roading in mine but I made the assumption that in particulary slippery snow and ice conditions, the locking diff should offer some traction advantages in particular getting up steep driveways to ski chalets etc. out here.
I perhaps foolishly thought for a minute that the diff, plus all season tyres, might be enough most of the time... However, I am aware that you really can't beat winter tyres for traction but also, and perhaps more importantly, control when going downhill! The steepness of that learning curve was steeper than the incline on my driveway but I was lucky to avoid bumping into my own property on M&S tyres last winter.
Regarding the diff, I'm looking forward to some winter weather this season and perhaps I might be able to discern that it is actually earning its keep at some point, but it doesn't help that on the SE with basic ICE, I don't even have a nice graphic to show me when the diff is locking or the ability to manually lock it!MY11 D4 SDV6 SE LHD (with remote park heater, heated seats in row 2, heated steering wheel and rear HVAC controls!)
12th Sep 2011 2:56 pm
row_perfect
Member Since: 01 Jan 2011
Location: Kent
Posts: 291
The 4x4 screen has a little padlock for each of centre/rear diff and you can see them lock/unlock as you drive along
The centre automatically unlocks whenever your front wheels aren't straight. The rear lock automatically locks/unlocks and it seemed to lock quite a bit; but sadly with no way to override it I couldn't try and get stuck without it.
I don't want to waste £750, but equally, I know it's much more expensive to retrofit.D4 HSE, Active Rear Diff, surround cameras, adaptive xenons, heated steering wheel, TPMS, remote park heating, centre console cooler box
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12th Sep 2011 3:09 pm
DiscoDunc
Member Since: 08 May 2006
Location: Bristol
Posts: 16390
a D3/D4 without a locking rear diff will get almost everywhere one with it will go. the one with the locking diff will just get there with a little less drama and less wear on other mechanical parts.Duncan
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If I'd known I was going to be so thirsty this morning I'd have drunk more beer last night.
FFRR Autobiography 4.4 SDV8 MY17
D4 HSE MY13 SOLD
FFRR 3.6 Vogue TDV8 SOLD
D4 HSE MY10 SOLD
D4 SE TECH MY15 SOLD
D4 XS MY12 SOLD
D4 HSE MY10 SOLD
D3 HSE MY06 - Re-Cycled Worldwide
12th Sep 2011 5:29 pm
row_perfect
Member Since: 01 Jan 2011
Location: Kent
Posts: 291
Does that hold true for all surfaces?D4 HSE, Active Rear Diff, surround cameras, adaptive xenons, heated steering wheel, TPMS, remote park heating, centre console cooler box
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12th Sep 2011 5:43 pm
DiscoDunc
Member Since: 08 May 2006
Location: Bristol
Posts: 16390
pretty much - you'll also find the rear diff starts to lock up before the centre diff and progress is less dramaticDuncan
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If I'd known I was going to be so thirsty this morning I'd have drunk more beer last night.
FFRR Autobiography 4.4 SDV8 MY17
D4 HSE MY13 SOLD
FFRR 3.6 Vogue TDV8 SOLD
D4 HSE MY10 SOLD
D4 SE TECH MY15 SOLD
D4 XS MY12 SOLD
D4 HSE MY10 SOLD
D3 HSE MY06 - Re-Cycled Worldwide
12th Sep 2011 5:45 pm
Dinsdale
Member Since: 29 Jun 2011
Location: North Norfolk
Posts: 209
I specked my 2012 HSE (getting it tomorrow ) with the locking rear diff after a conversation with a LRE chap.
He said progress can be similar but less frenetic if you have a locking diff. But when I mentioned ski-ing "sur-le-continent" he immediately said if you can afford it spec it as traction/progress is a lot better on snow and especially ice/hardpack even with snow tyres.
I reckon if you can afford it then it probably will make a fantastic 4x4 even more fantastic If it don't fit the third time - try a bigger hammer
12th Sep 2011 6:01 pm
DiscoDunc
Member Since: 08 May 2006
Location: Bristol
Posts: 16390
it doesnt cost much in relation to the overall price and cant be retrofittedDuncan
-----------------------------------------------------
If I'd known I was going to be so thirsty this morning I'd have drunk more beer last night.
FFRR Autobiography 4.4 SDV8 MY17
D4 HSE MY13 SOLD
FFRR 3.6 Vogue TDV8 SOLD
D4 HSE MY10 SOLD
D4 SE TECH MY15 SOLD
D4 XS MY12 SOLD
D4 HSE MY10 SOLD
D3 HSE MY06 - Re-Cycled Worldwide
12th Sep 2011 6:05 pm
row_perfect
Member Since: 01 Jan 2011
Location: Kent
Posts: 291
Thanks for the advice guys. Now... do I ask SWMBO or just get it??D4 HSE, Active Rear Diff, surround cameras, adaptive xenons, heated steering wheel, TPMS, remote park heating, centre console cooler box
Club MT/R
Club RLD spare wheel protector
Club Sump plate & tree slider
Club Blackvue HD
12th Sep 2011 7:24 pm
DiscoDunc
Member Since: 08 May 2006
Location: Bristol
Posts: 16390
just get it , she wont know whether is fitted or not Duncan
-----------------------------------------------------
If I'd known I was going to be so thirsty this morning I'd have drunk more beer last night.
FFRR Autobiography 4.4 SDV8 MY17
D4 HSE MY13 SOLD
FFRR 3.6 Vogue TDV8 SOLD
D4 HSE MY10 SOLD
D4 SE TECH MY15 SOLD
D4 XS MY12 SOLD
D4 HSE MY10 SOLD
D3 HSE MY06 - Re-Cycled Worldwide
12th Sep 2011 7:27 pm
row_perfect
Member Since: 01 Jan 2011
Location: Kent
Posts: 291
D4 HSE, Active Rear Diff, surround cameras, adaptive xenons, heated steering wheel, TPMS, remote park heating, centre console cooler box
Club MT/R
Club RLD spare wheel protector
Club Sump plate & tree slider
Club Blackvue HD
12th Sep 2011 7:38 pm
mzplcg
Member Since: 23 Jun 2009
Location: Gone
Posts: 1087
DiscoDunc wrote:
cant be retrofitted
You sure about that DD ?? Just that I read about it being done on a D3. I'm interested 'cos I am toying with ordering a D4 but I want the RSE as well which cannot be ordered with the locking diff. Quite how a locking diff and a set of DVD screens are mutually exclusive is beyond me but that's what LR say. Trying to work out which is cheaper to retro-fit.
Current FFRR Vogue SE has both and the kids love the screens. I, on the other hand like being a hooligan. See below. That's me in the mud pit.
Dom.
Click image to enlarge
12th Sep 2011 8:37 pm
row_perfect
Member Since: 01 Jan 2011
Location: Kent
Posts: 291
Virtually the same price as the option and a huge amount of labour/risk.D4 HSE, Active Rear Diff, surround cameras, adaptive xenons, heated steering wheel, TPMS, remote park heating, centre console cooler box
Club MT/R
Club RLD spare wheel protector
Club Sump plate & tree slider
Club Blackvue HD
12th Sep 2011 8:57 pm
mzplcg
Member Since: 23 Jun 2009
Location: Gone
Posts: 1087
Yeah, that was the one I was reading. Didn't mention the source for diplomatic reasons.
12th Sep 2011 8:59 pm
Dinsdale
Member Since: 29 Jun 2011
Location: North Norfolk
Posts: 209
That's what the LRE chap and my dealer told me that LR could not retrofit the rear locking diff which is why I specked it.
I'm sure ANYTHING is posssible but not for the faint hearted.
Also Non OEM RSE kits have been mentioned and fitted successfully by many site members and I would have thought an easier option than altering a rear diff. I would also be very suprised if you could source all the bits BRAND NEW for the same price as the option.If it don't fit the third time - try a bigger hammer
You cannot post new topics in this forum You cannot reply to topics in this forum You cannot edit your posts in this forum You cannot delete your posts in this forum You cannot vote in polls in this forum
) with the locking rear diff after a conversation with a LRE chap.
