Member Since: 14 Sep 2011
Location: annecy
Posts: 233
limited slip differentials
Does the Disco4 have limited slip diffs front and rear?
I ask because I can't get a clear answer. I used to have a Disco2 and it was useless in mud since I always had one wheel at the front spinning and one at the bacl so it clearly didn't have an LSD - or did it and it din't work?
I also ask about the D4 since I have had slipping in the most benign, flat, muddy fields.
thanks
27th Dec 2015 9:12 am
L319
Member Since: 14 Dec 2013
Location: Herefordshire
Posts: 2080
The short answer is No, . Standard vehicle has an electronic lockable centre differential (Fully Automatic) and Traction control which brakes spinning wheels to help with traction. As an option a rear electronic diff. is available. Often to get the best out of the vehicle you need to have a bit more throttle on than you may have done with a D2 to make the traction control work effectively.
27th Dec 2015 9:45 am
DSL Keeper of the wheelie bin
Member Since: 11 May 2006
Location: Off again! :-)
Posts: 72798
Flat slick mud or grass is the D3/4's nemesis, wheels just spin & spin & spin. Car thinks it's driving along nicely, even does the "car wil lower unless you slow down" warning when you're going absolutely nowhere.
As a wise sage here says, when there's no traction there's no traction.
27th Dec 2015 10:51 am
sceh
Member Since: 14 Sep 2011
Location: annecy
Posts: 233
Quite a surprise actually. It makes it very similar if not identical to the X-drive form BMW which is heavy on brakes. I never understood the reputation of LR off road since they dropped the fully locking diff system. But given the tiny cost of fitting LSD in the factory as standard, it certainly damages the off-road reputation for no real reason. Bad marketing decision but frankly I really fear taking my Disco 4 off road. Is the Range Rover the same or does it have LSD standard?
27th Dec 2015 11:02 am
AndrewS Tarquin of the Desert
Member Since: 06 May 2005
Location: Y...... because I can
Posts: 10438
The D3/4 are very good off road, once you have an understanding on how the system works, you can get to places you would not be able to walk to.
Go to an LRE centre and you WILL be pleasantly surprised In the Beginning there was nothing, which exploded.
27th Dec 2015 11:29 am
sceh
Member Since: 14 Sep 2011
Location: annecy
Posts: 233
I must admit I do need a driving course! If for no other reason than to see what it can and can't do. When I bought my first Disco 2, I was stuck in a flat carpark which had six inches of snow (car three weeks old). Landrover told me no-one else complained so why was I complaining? They also told me I could get a proper diff lock for the axles for 8k pounds but it was standard in Australia...factory cost was about fifty quid.
I am still surprised that the LSD first brought in by YF in 1938 could not have been a standard item at a marginal car cost of peanuts. Still, mustn't complain. The geniuses who used to be in LR marketing had descent control as an expensive option - at least is is now standard and works brilliantly.
27th Dec 2015 12:21 pm
DSL Keeper of the wheelie bin
Member Since: 11 May 2006
Location: Off again! :-)
Posts: 72798
sceh, many of us here off-road our D3s and they are superb. I've been through places without any issues where tricked up Defenders have got themselves stuck, and I've never seen a standard D3 not go where a D3 with a locking rear diff went. With the D3/4 it's usually the driver that is the weak link by either not knowing what he is doing (a lot of the old rules for driving a LR go out the window), assuming the car is invincible or exceeding the capabilities do the car, like expecting it to still move when it's been dug down so far the chassis is taking the weight. You can choose not to take yours off-road because you are afraid of getting stuck but that's just being paranoid for no good reason.
27th Dec 2015 12:42 pm
SpiderBaby D3 Decade
Member Since: 21 Sep 2007
Location: Liverpool
Posts: 1399
Yep - got to agree with Del on this.
I've been off road a bit and any issues have usually been down to me....
For me the big downside has been weight / width - you need to allow for these.
You won't know 'til you give it a go.I see no ships........
27th Dec 2015 1:18 pm
garrycol
Member Since: 06 Dec 2010
Location: Canberra
Posts: 1115
Traction Control is better offroad (and onroad) than limited slip diffs but not as good as locking diffs.
Oh and the centre diff is fully lockable with the right TR setting and conditions - if you want to lock it manually select rock crawl as it is fully locked in that settting
I consider the offroad cred to be exceptional - maybe you need to learn more about your vehicle.
Garry
27th Dec 2015 2:00 pm
sceh
Member Since: 14 Sep 2011
Location: annecy
Posts: 233
maybe you need to learn more about your vehicle..
Maybe? Definitely
27th Dec 2015 2:20 pm
DSL Keeper of the wheelie bin
Member Since: 11 May 2006
Location: Off again! :-)
Posts: 72798
sceh, do you have a D4 or even driven one on or off road?
27th Dec 2015 2:53 pm
sceh
Member Since: 14 Sep 2011
Location: annecy
Posts: 233
I have a d4 but off road is limited to the local fields to pull down trees and snow since I live in the Alps
Member Since: 14 Sep 2011
Location: annecy
Posts: 233
Excellent! In the second video (cross axle) one front wheel is off the ground but not turning. How come this does not happen when on a slippery flat field - where one front wheel will spin and take all the power. This is obviously a setting on the traction control but which one?
I have a lot to learn...
27th Dec 2015 6:39 pm
DSL Keeper of the wheelie bin
Member Since: 11 May 2006
Location: Off again! :-)
Posts: 72798
Nothing like a D3 saying "hi" by cocking a front wheel. It's what they do.
Click image to enlarge
And I don't think I had any special progs selected, just low box & D.
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