[zookyute1981]

[b]dose any 1 know about the factory rear lockers for the sierra? app tey work on a wire system in the cab an only came out in German imports....

[Rhino]

I read somwhere that it isnt designed to be used when driving.
Its to help assist the transfer hand brake so it wont creep down slopes, as the transfer hand brake can only realy locks one wheel at a time.

[2stroker]

Rhino wrote:

I read somwhere that it isnt designed to be used when driving.
Its to help assist the transfer hand brake so it wont creep down slopes, as the transfer hand brake can only realy locks one wheel at a time.

Where did you here that, that is just stupid logic, it would be cheaper to just fit rear wheel handbrake than design a cable operated locker to assist the transfer handbrake. The suzuki cable diff locks that I have seen are a true and proper diff lock and came on imported carry vans with 1 litre size diff centre.

[Rhino]

2stroker wrote:

Where did you here that, that is just stupid logic, it would be cheaper to just fit rear wheel handbrake than design a cable operated locker to assist the transfer handbrake. The suzuki cable diff locks that I have seen are a true and proper diff lock and came on imported carry vans with 1 litre size diff centre.

I'd say your probably right there 2stroker.
I'll have a bit of a dig around and see if i can find it. It wasnt too long ago i read this.

[mrw82]

2stroker wrote:

The suzuki cable diff locks that I have seen are a true and proper diff lock and came on imported carry vans with 1 litre size diff centre.

interesting..... I never knew such a thing was made. know where I might be able to find one?
yeah right, they'll be even rarer then my 1 litre 5 speed!!!

[christover1]

I was told NZ had cable operated difflocks only for parking assist, due to some law or other...but also told many successfully used them in comps...could just be an urban myth

[Highway-Star]

They did come in some LJ80's overseas (same size centre as Some Carrys and 1L Sierras). The possible problem as I understand, is you need the matching axle shaft, as this is what the diff lock locks on to (an extra spline on one of the axle shafts). Unless there is another type also???

[fordem]

This is taken from the WWEPC - and as far as I know this was only available in Germany, and it was done to meet legal requirements for the parking brake.

I believe you'll need to swap the entire rear axle as an assembly - the axle housing is different, the differential case is different, the axle shafts are different, the ring & pinion & actual differential gears appear to be the same.

[303zuke]

Photos and diagram HERE

[BlueSuzy]

christover1 wrote:

I was told NZ had cable operated difflocks only for parking assist, due to some law or other...but also told many successfully used them in comps...could just be an urban myth

They use them for rear digs, makes it easy to park on side slopes



Sounds like it would be for the theory that the wheels could still spin with the transfer locked. On steep gravel hills i guess it could happen. But who relys on their handbrake?

[christover1]

BlueSuzy wrote:

But who relys on their handbrake?

Not me, cos now I have a P which works betterer than the handbrake

[Gwagensteve]

I can't comment on the LJ locker, but I am aware of the Sierra locker.

It wasn't unique to Germany, I've seen photos of a Canadian LWB with a rear locker too.


It's not that it "wasn't designed for driving" - It wasn't possible to use it whilst driving- The cable that applied the locker also applied the handbrake, so they couldn't be used independently. In case you were thinking that the little round flat bit next to the hndbrake lever must have been for the locker - it's not - it's for the PTO.

The use of the locker was 100% due to a legislative requirement that the handbrake had to work on both rear wheels. We never saw it here because it wasn't a requirement here.

You're right it was a crazy expensive way of fixing a simple problem. Suzuki knew this, which is why the WT ditched the transfer handbrake.

PS as far as I recall, the locker equipped rear axle was also a full floater.

Steve.

[303zuke]

Gwagensteve wrote:

I can't comment on the LJ locker, but I am aware of the Sierra locker.

It's not that it "wasn't designed for driving" - It wasn't possible to use it whilst driving- The cable that applied the locker also applied the handbrake, so they couldn't be used independently. In case you were thinking that the little round flat bit next to the hndbrake lever must have been for the locker - it's not - it's for the PTO.

The use of the locker was 100% due to a legislative requirement that the handbrake had to work on both rear wheels. We never saw it here because it wasn't a requirement here.

PS as far as I recall, the locker equipped rear axle was also a full floater.

Steve.

The rear locker cable wasn't connected to the handbrake cable in any way.
BOTH the locker and PTO were operated by a T-handled lever mounted on the trans tunnel.

The issue with driving while using the the locker is that in both the LJ and Sierra, the RH axle shaft (and only the RH side is modified. LH is a standard axle) is machined down for a longer spline for the locking dog. This weakens the RH axle shaft and reduces the amount of torque it can bear. Driving with the locker engaged puts too much stress on this shaft.

All the rear axles are regular semi-floater hubs.

[Gwagensteve]

That's interesting 303Zuke, from the look of that, it's an either/or arrangement.

I'm still sticking to my guns. I believe based on what I've seen, the locker was connected to the park brake (for markets where the park brake had to work on both rear wheels) and under those circumstances the lever next to the handbrake was for the PTO if a PTO was available for that market.

I wasn't aware that the locker was available on a sierra as a stand alone option. That's interesting.

Thanks for the info.

PS I've seen photos of a factory canadian market LWB with floater hubs and a rear locker.

Steve.

[fordem]

Gwagensteve wrote:

It wasn't unique to Germany, I've seen photos of a Canadian LWB with a rear locker too.

Based purely on the WWEPC listings - that locker was only used on E22 market vehicles and was not supplied to the Canadian (E28) market.

Also - as far as I'm aware - the LWB versions were not sold in North America, neither the US nor Canada - I'm not saying that there aren't any, but rather they are extremely rare and most likely privately imported.

[zookyute1981]

so any 1 here got 1 on there zook?

[2stroker]

Gwagensteve wrote:

That's interesting 303Zuke, from the look of that, it's an either/or arrangement.

I'm still sticking to my guns. I believe based on what I've seen, the locker was connected to the park brake (for markets where the park brake had to work on both rear wheels) and under those circumstances the lever next to the handbrake was for the PTO if a PTO was available for that market.

I wasn't aware that the locker was available on a sierra as a stand alone option. That's interesting.

Thanks for the info.

PS I've seen photos of a factory canadian market LWB with floater hubs and a rear locker.

Steve.

Steve if this is the case why do they come out on Carry vans when a Carry vans hand brake is cables to both back wheels and why do Carry van manuals call them a "diff lock traction aid"

[mausgrass]

Hi everybody!
My name is Dirk and I am from Germany. I am relatively new to this forum, but I have to say I really do enjoy it.
I've owned many 4x4s including Lj80s, Sj410, 413, Samurai (I think that is what you call the wt) and Vitaras.

303Zuke is right, the german Lj's had to have a locker due to german legal requirements. It was never ment as a traction aid and those who used it as such broke it sooner or later...
In the 80's you could buy stronger aftermarket parts in Germany that turned that device into a "real" locker.
In all the Lj's and Sj's the locker was operated independently from the handbrake and all the rear axles were semi floaters.
I hope that helps.
Greetings from Germany, Dirk

[2stroker]

Ok so that clears up the issue of the ones that came on LJ's however it still does not explain the ones that came on carry vans and utes, they are 2 wheel drive and have handbrake in the rear brake drums. I know where there is a carry ute in the area with diff lock so I will in the next few days go and take some pics of the diff, the actuator lever and the factory sticker that tells you to engage it.

[SSSIERA]

prety sure this has been discussed on here b4 not having a dig but if u do a search there might be some info come up on it!

i vagley remember someone saying there are useless for wheeling coz there are activated by the handbreak for parking only! as has been mention above!
prety sure it was somthing to do with there laws over there that they needed them!

[2stroker]

Yeah and that search will bring you to this post because this is where that was said.

So does anyone have a theory as to why a Suzuki Carry with nomal rear wheel drum handbrake would come with a factory diff lock if it is not a traction aid.

[christover1]

Early carry vans had a 4wd option,
so diff lock may be a shared component.

Any body who drove older vans knows,
they pick up rear wheels easily,
often making driveways a challenge when loaded.

Just a thought/theory, have no tech to back it up

[sogone]

For when they are loaded up perhaps? To get both wheels moving on slippery surfaces?

[sogone]

Might also be as a back up brake when loaded. I'm even sure from new the hand brakes weren't all that flash. Add a payload to it and you could be in trouble.

[christover1]

True.
With one wheel unloaded, ie on a cross slope,
hand brake be next to useless