Fitting diff locks to Prado

[Any_Weather]

I am looking into the benefits associated with fitting diff locks to a current model prado. The only 4x4 work I really do is on the beach and after towing a boat up to the Fraser fishing comp last year I know I need all the help I can get. I have the 4.0l V6 auto and whilst it has plenty of power, once I put a boat behind it struggles with the really soft stuff. Is the diff locks going to benefit me much in the sand or am I just expecting too much from this vehicle? Has anybody fitted diff locks to the front and back of a prado and if so are they worth the dollars only for sand use?
Thanks
Lee

[sempre]

Lee , i have detroit lockers to front and back of my GU nissan . Used them for the first time at this years comp and it really helped getting my boat up the beach. Wouldn't of had a chance without them.

sam....

[Whatever]

I would see lockers are the last resort, as its the most expensive option.

The most important thing is tyre pressure, with too high of tyre pressure even lockers won't help you. Try running around 22-24psi, can go as low as 16-18psi if you are still having trouble but at that pressure you should really go over 40km with a boat at the back. You should get a compressor so you can pump up the tyres whenever you need to.

Another option is more aggressive tyre pattern. V6 prado shouldn't have any problem turning aggressive tyres.

If you already have done all of the options I mentioned, lockers will help using in combination.

[Any_Weather]

Whatever, I was running only 15psi and still had all sorts of trouble. We weren't the only ones, at Indian head we saw 3 cars and a tractor pulling boats through. I know they will be expensive but if they make the job easier they would be worth it.

[Any_Weather]

Sempre, dont tell me you got your ship through Indian head on your own. I would be extremely impressed and definatly get Detroits if this was the case. Cant wait for 2006 comp.

[GBC]

I'd look into lifting it before locking it - there's no reason the prado should get stuck apart from losing traction when the rig grounds out. Having said that, locker do make a difference, and your only choice in a constant 4wd is arb/tjm.

[Whatever]

Yes, lockers will definitely make a difference, as long as you have the right tyres and pressure.
With lockers you will have drive to all four wheels at all times, but it will be a waste of money if the tyres are not up to the job.

I have air-lockers front and back, I only used it once on sand after I got bogged at a cutting. Lockers didn't get me out once I am stuck, as the chassis was sitting on the sand. It was my own fault as I was too lazy to lower the pressure for the cutting was still running 42psi on Cooper's ST.
So I lowered the pressure to 24psi and a bit of digging, off I go again.

Now I run muddies most of the time and have not been bogged at on the sand.

[sempre]

Lee , it took me and one other car to get through Indian , didnt hook the strap up for the rest of the trip . 305-70-16 tyres at 12psi in the front and 16 at the back and dont look at the tacho. In my situation Detroit lockers are the only way to go. For more info ring Northside Transmissions at Deagon and ask for Dunkin , this guy is mr. diff.

[Any_Weather]

Gents, thank you all for your knowledge. I will do some serious investigations.
Sempre, we decided to launch on the ocean side just South of Indian after watching everyone else having sooooo much trouble. towing the empty trailer sure was easier but if the weather is sh!t next year we may not be able to do this. Heres hoping for 10 days of perfect weather, or even reasonable weather will do.

[blaze]

IMO the key to beach driving is wide, did I say wide, yep the widest least agressive tyre you can fit under the vehicle, the wider the tyre the less psi of force is applied to the sand, non agressive, why, because once you break the surface of the sand there is only one way you go- DOWN, then you diffs scrape etc. The trailer should also have the widest tyres possible. We use beach buggies with 18" wide rear tyres and 10" wide front tyres with no tread on the beachs on the west coast of tassie on soft sand (powerery) and quick sand and used these as they would go where no 4X4 would.
The princible of sand driveing is to stay on top of it, all forms of getting more bite to the wheel only digs it deeper.
cheers
blaze

[finding_time]

It was my own fault as I was too lazy to lower the pressure for the cutting was still running 42psi on Cooper's ST.
So I lowered the pressure to 24psi and a bit of digging, off I go again.



24 psi is still way to high have seen this problem way to often with drivers very unwilling to go below 20 psi I always start at 15psi and if i have any probs go to 12psi and i have never had any problems at 12 you can go anywhere and tow anything.

[Whatever]

It was my own fault as I was too lazy to lower the pressure for the cutting was still running 42psi on Cooper's ST.
So I lowered the pressure to 24psi and a bit of digging, off I go again.



24 psi is still way to high have seen this problem way to often with drivers very unwilling to go below 20 psi I always start at 15psi and if i have any probs go to 12psi and i have never had any problems at 12 you can go anywhere and tow anything.

Yeah I know I could have gone lower than 24psi, but that was all I needed at that time. Not much point of me going lower than I need, as I will be on the side of the road longer waiting for the tyre to pump up.

Pressure is also depend on the type of tyres, a small 4wd can run zero pressure on the stiff tyres(Simex) and it won't bag out as much as a large 4wd running 20psi on road tyres. All I am saying is that there is that you should setup and adjust according to the situation.

[Elysium]

could not agree more with blaze's comments above.

I have done alot of sand driving and a hell of a lot more bush driving...I have ARB air lockers fitted in front and back and find them very handy to have...in the bush! As for the sand...diff locks can get you into more trouble than they can get you out of!