Abu Dhabi Off-Road Club Forums

Hi,

Iam just new here, so first I will introduce myself.

Iam Rene, and newbie in the offroad scene, but already a long time car freak. We bought a couple of weeks ago a Land Rover Discovery from 2004 in a very good condition and offcourse if you buy a 4X4 you want to use it as such.

I read already some good trip reports on this board and we are really planning to come to one of the newbie trips.

But here comes my question:

I read a lot about diff locks etc, my car is not equiped with a dif lock but has traction control, is this working the same as the diff lock and/or is this good enough for some nice off road trips in the dessert?


Rene

Hi Rene,

You will have plenty of fun with the car as it is.

the traction control will give more power to the tire with the most traction on the ground.

diff lock. is actually a full lock between the right and left tire. which is good when the car has one tire all the way in the air.

have fun and be careful out there.

Hello there Diff Locks will help but will NOT make a driver, as usual LRs are Bad choice, u better start looking for Wrangler or jappaneese car, u need to log your self in one of the ANIT or newbie trip with our Master URS, will talk later about the feelings

Hello Rene!

Don't take Bulldozer comment above for granted! yes the LR is not the ultimate sand warrior vehicle, but it is quite capable. And you will see when you come out with us that one of our favorite past time is tease each other about our cars...

I have only one advice : join a Absolute Newbie Initiation Trip with us (go to Newbie trip forum to find one and register), and you will learn what you need to know about your car, and more!!! and of course, we'll reply to your question with a smile, even if you believe it is stupid question. We all started from scrap one day or another...

Welcome in the family, see you soon.

Hi everyone,

Thanks for the replies, especcially the 1 from bulldozer

I'm waiting now for the next ANIT trip, really looking forward to it, hope to see you soon, then we will see were the LR is capable off

Rene

Hi Rene, welcome to the club.
First let me say that many people have had LR's of different models and years and you will find them to be very capable in the sand. Lots of room, plenty of power and a good clearence. The only thing in my opinion is that they are a little top heavy so be careful when side sloping.
As for diff locks, not everybody has them, and to be honest only a real driver doesn't use them. Its false power and does not show real skill in the sand.
The choice is yours though, there are many more things to spend your money on which will serve just as well.
Take care and hope to meet you soon.

Rene,

The 2004 Disco shoud be fitted with a Central Diff Lock, it is probable that yours has not been fitted with the lever that actually operates it. There is a kit you can buy from the UK which costs about £120 which allows you to use the CDL.

I will try and dig out some more info for you.

The biggest issue on the disco is the bumpers, so be prepared to have them modified by the sand....

Andy.........

Hi Rene

That Disco of yours is a very capable offroader. I am sure u will have loads of fun with it. As Andy said, just prepare yourself to accept the modification of your bumpers...

Regarding the Diff Lock, it is desirable but not essential. ...it does get u out of deep sand when u r stuck, otherwise the tow ropes will always be ready to pull u out.

I found sand-driving needs wheel spin and speed, so diff-locks are of limited use - don't need them.

To give a clear explanation of differential lockers (diff-locks) and other traction control systems:

A 2WD car actually is only 1WD when stuck - the power (torque) goes to one axle and it is divided equally between the 2 wheels, but since it is an open axle fitted with spider gears, if one wheel stops turning, all the power is transfered away from it and sent to the spinning wheel.

A 4WD car is also actually only 1WD - the power goes to the transfer case and is divided equally between front and rear axles, who then again divide it equally between 4 wheels. However, again the power will transfer away from wheels that don't turn.

A 4WD car with locking central differential is 2WD - the transfer case will keep the power transfered to front and rear axle, so at least 2 wheels are always given power.

a 4WD car with locking central differential and one diff lock is 3WD - the transfer case will divide power front and rear, and the one locker will split power evenly between two wheels on the same axle.

Only a car with locking central differential and two lockers is really 4WD, where all four wheels always receive power to turn.

Limited-Slip Differentials (LSD) are like lockers that slip (clutch-driven, and they provide a temporary lock)

Traction control systems usually employ the brake to any one wheel that starts spinning (this is bad - turn off in sand 8)

Having said all the above, my Elsie has diff-locks both front and rear, and climbs better when un-locked!!! LOOOOOOOL

Good to be back from vacation and back to thinking about cars! 8)

Welcome Rene,

I stumbled late over your post but I found it

You have a great car and no need for lockers! In fact, here Andy is wrong, the last version of the Discovery (i.e. the 2004 model) was not equipped with the central lock due to the high efficiency provided by the traction control. Believe me I know what I am talking about. My Discovery 2004 did as well as all the other vehicles equipped with lockers and other gimmicks...

Enjoy the sand

:hat:

Jo wrote:Welcome Rene,

I stumbled late over your post but I found it

You have a great car and no need for lockers! In fact, here Andy is wrong, the last version of the Discovery (i.e. the 2004 model) was not equipped with the central lock due to the high efficiency provided by the traction control. Believe me I know what I am talking about. My Discovery 2004 did as well as all the other vehicles equipped with lockers and other gimmicks...

Enjoy the sand

:hat:

I bow down to your superior knowledge Jo........

Andy wrote:I bow down to your superior knowledge Jo........

I accept this and expect some cake for all at our next meeting in the sand

:hat:

Jo wrote:

Andy wrote:I bow down to your superior knowledge Jo........

I accept this and expect some cake for all at our next meeting in the sand

:hat:

Cake will be arranged and served sir............... :behold:

Hi Guys,

Thanks for all the replies, due to my work I was not able to answer and I couldnt join the last ANIT , but the next 1 I will attend, I saw coming Friday another 1 is coming.

There was some good advice in the replies, thanks again.

Other question, are there some good LR specialists in Abu Dhabi?

Greetz,

Rene

Best advice - and this is golden - is get a Haynes repair manual (or full LR manual) and you can do 90% of the work yourself, know it's done right, avoid the Sanaiya haramis, save a tonne of money, and learn a useful skill.

After 10 yrs I can recommend NO mechanic in Al Ain, sorry.