"Diff Lock" using the handbrake

[andrewbuch]

has anybody heard of using your hand brake as a diff lock on a 4x4 that is not fitted with a rear diff lock. for example if the right rear wheel lifts and starts to spin you pull a leaver and it just applies the hand brake on the right rear and vica versa if the left rear starts to spin.. any info on a system like this and how one would go about fitting such system would be appriciated

[SYRON CONVERSIONS]

I have heard of this system, but only on pipe cars, yes it can be used on a Hilux, but you would require two handbrake levers and a few other goodies, I am very worn out now, going to bed very soon.

will explain another time.

[BenHur]

I have seen independent braking systems on completion vehicles as Simon mentioned but it works eclectically not mechanically. But it is rather a form of manual traction control rather that a diff lock. By applying break pressure to the spinning wheel you are forcing torque to be transferred to the other wheel.

You can do something similarly with just a normal handbrake as well. By applying the handbrake when one wheel is spinning, you are "equalising" torque transfer between the two rear wheels to a limited extend. But obviously you are breaking against the engine power so you need extra horses to overcome the braking affect.

I have used it successfully going uphill on twisters before. Check out the last climb in this clip.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z9SM0KJST3A

You can actually hear me pulling up the handbrake before starting the climb. It was at a short steep uphill twister with a loose surface which offered little traction and no place for a run up to gain momentum, but at the end it was a case of having ample power and revs in reserve together with the use of the handbrake that got me up the hill.

[cprinsloo]

Hi,

I've once seen this on a Landy shorty, with 4 switches to brake each wheel independantly, but the guy didn't want to tell me how it worked. But I've heard that one can also use brake "immobilisers" which was fitted in the beginning of the immobiliser age, which is now illegal to do.

Apprently you must fit four of those goodies, but wrong way round, into the brake lines. I think that when you then activate them (electrically), they will block pressure to that wheel, so no brake force on that wheel. If one wheel start spinning, you then activate the other side's cylinder, and then apply your normal brake through the pedal, which will then only brake the spinning wheel, so you get torque on the other wheel. But I don't know about the legality of something like this, it is possible that can can disable all your brakes. Also I think one can get a little bit confused in pressure situations :D

The theory above may be wrong, I have no idea how those things really work, maybe someone else can clarify.

Cheers,

Chris

[glevey]

I often use this method when I have to and it works very well. Saved my bacon a few times.

Cheers

Geoff

[BenHur]

Chris

The vehicle I saw was a pipe car. It had drum brakes front and rear with solenoids fitted inside the drums. The guy had for toggle switches on the dash and he could switch then individually on or off.

[pietpetoors]

This patent was discovered by some farmer years ago where he fitted two hand brake levers, one for each wheel. It does exactly the same as your modern traction control, only that this method is a manual method and traction control is electronic. This is where they got the idea from for traction control

[Zantus]

Commonly known as cutting brakes in other parts of the world.
Here are some examples if cutting brake levers:





http://www.cncbrakes.com/prodgroup.asp?grp=cb

[Knersus]

Well personally I think this brake system will only work if you are catch in a xross axcle situation and when you are already stuck. I have used my hand brake in simular situations and it is working in some degree to help you over the obstical but it will never be a lock diff. Before I go the route to install all the gadgets to brake the wheels I will shake the piggy bank and install a decent ARB diff lock.

[cprinsloo]

Hi all,

With tractors one can brake the rear wheels individually (2 levers or pedals). What it also help with is the turning radius. On a SWB 4x4 the turning radius can be very small if you only brake the one rear wheel.

Cheers,

Chris

[Family_Dog]

Well personally I think this brake system will only work if you are catch in a xross axcle situation and when you are already stuck. I have used my hand brake in simular situations and it is working in some degree to help you over the obstical but it will never be a lock diff. Before I go the route to install all the gadgets to brake the wheels I will shake the piggy bank and install a decent ARB diff lock.

Eben,

I agree with your thoughts. But I am not going the ARB way, I have ordered a Detroit locker from Riceburner (on this forum) at about half the cost of ARB, and considerably less maintenance. Looking forward to its arrival within the next week or so!

This I did after a lot of Internet searching and I never found any negative remarks about the Detroit Diff Lock anywhere.

Support the local guys!


-F_D

[Knersus]

Hi F.D

I have never actually did a research about the different diff locks and I have only heard about the detroit type. You know all major suppliers in this area also only knows ARB Does this diff lock engage on air; vacuum or is it manually and in what price are we looking at to have it. I will rather also support local where possible.

[BenHur]

Eben

Contact Darryl (Riceburner) on the forum for pricing on Detroit Lockers.

I will PM you his no as I do not ant to post it on a public forum.

[Zantus]

With the Detroit I had in my cruiser is that it felt like there was a lot of backlash and the gear changes became very scratchy. I could understand why and thought it was just coincidence. The person who bought it from me then experienced axactly the same symptoms and he will also be removing it in the near future.
The Detroit I had was still the old version because my axle was a semi-floater with C-clips. The newer version is probably different.

[Family_Dog]

Eben,

The Detroit is permanently engaged, but releases when the vehicle turns.

I never found any reference to the problem Zantus mentioned above, I would hope that Detroit has sorted this out by now. Maybe you shouldn't order one yet, because if mine does this I will remove it and sell it to you then

(Just kidding, I'm sure they have sorted this problem out by now!)

The Detroit is considerably cheaper than the ARB, which is a good lock but very pricey. The savings on this can rather go to something else instead.

-F_D

[Karoo]

This is an old system dating from the 80's and was called a bog buster (from Aus i think) easy to do just run seperate cables from back wheels etc,and yes it does work .

[Mud Dog]

Even your standard handbrake works ... not too good for it though.