Cable operated differential locks.

[pink panther]

Hello.

I was told to share some info about my diff locks.

I made the locker out of 12mm brass hex-bar
The wire linkage is sullivan gold-n-cable
The diff housing is cut down 7mm and then filed down further to get the two bits that lock on to the hex-bit.
The linkage is set up to get locked diffs at only 1:st gear. And un-locked at the two higher gears.

I let the pics talk for them self

http://www.edren.se/johannes/hilux/lux19.jpg

http://www.edren.se/johannes/hilux/lux20.jpg

http://www.edren.se/johannes/hilux/lux21.jpg
Open

http://www.edren.se/johannes/hilux/lux22.jpg
Locked

http://www.edren.se/johannes/hilux/lux23.jpg

I hope this will give someone some inspiration.
/pink

[pink panther]

I began with the front axle just to try if it worked.
Now both axles is converted.

http://www.edren.se/johannes/hilux/lux29.jpg

http://www.edren.se/johannes/hilux/lux30.jpg

/pink

[Gomjaba]

Holy <bleep> - I call that a detailed mod :)

But one question (I hope I don't hijack your thread with it) - how does it drive now .. I mean I know what differential locking does .. I am just wondering how it applies in small scales ..

[pink panther]

It only adds to the relism of the truck. It turns much smoother when un locked and when you get stuck you only shift into low gear and get going again.:)

/pink

[Mouton]

I would agree with Pink Panther, that it would help bump up the realism a few notches. Great mod! :yourock:

Even thought is not difficult to lock/unlock the diffs using the locking pins Tamiya supplied I believe few actually change their setups during an outing. Having two locked axles are a goodsend in the terrain as well as a curse. The obvious advantage is that only one tire actually needs to grip in order for the vehicle to move where you want it to. Unfortunately this is at a hight cost for the turning radius, which is adversly affected. Quite badly to since you often have do dackup, turn, drive a few inches, turn, backup - there is no way you can make a three point turn in the terrain! For that you would need the 4WS, which looks plug ugly when you see it in action (albeit it works great).

I know we have another thread here about selectable 2-4WD for the High-Lift tranny but I believe this would be a step up from that. Selectable 2-4WD can be said to replicate the behaviour of the old threespeeders but the downside with the turning radius remains unsolved. The first generation had lockable freewheeling hubs on the front axle to deal with this, something the High-Lift does not.

Constant 4WD with lockable diffs (which could even be operated by a fourth channel if available) linked to first (or first and second) gear would be the most true to scale solution. :first:

[DREADY]

'Quote'

Selectable 2-4WD can be said to replicate the behaviour of the old threespeeders but the downside with the turning radius remains unsolved. The first generation had lockable freewheeling hubs on the front axle to deal with this, something the High-Lift does not.

What's the problem with the turning radius?
My mod will allow to either use the diff locked or unlocked or if i'm feeling brave selectable remotely like this one.

so you could have if you wanted both mods:-
4wd both diffs locked
4wd front diff locked
4wd rear diff locked
4wd no diffs locked
2wd front diff locked
2wd front diff unlocked

and if you really went mad and remotely controlled the rear as well you could have
Front wheel drive front diff locked
Front wheel drive front diff unlocked
Front wheel drive rear diff locked
Front wheel drive rear diff unlocked
4wd both diffs locked
4wd front diff locked
4wd rear diff locked
4wd no diffs locked
2wd front diff locked
2wd front diff unlocked


loads of possibilities!!!
confussed myself for a minute there!!

[Mouton]

DREADY, a vehicle with locked diffs have a larger turning radius compared to the same vehicle with open diffs. Although I know there are situations where you would want RWD or FWD only in the terrain I would say the ability to lock/unlock the diffs remotely is a bigger improvement. My comparison was made in refernce to the old Hilux, not your mod. As I understand your mod it does not lock/unlock the diffs, leaving the axles either locked or unlocked.

As you say, one can combine your mod with Pink Panther's and get the best of both worlds.

[DREADY]

'Mouton'
i'm with you know, it's because the inside and outside wheel are travelling different distances when turning hence why real cars have differentials so the wheels can do what they want.

So by locking the diffs your increasing the turning circle and i suppose creating understeer?

nearly done my mod just trying to work out the servo linkage, now where's that can of stella!

[Lunchboxer]

Great job!! :first:

Can you help me understand how the cable is moving the hex over to engage the diff lock?! Is the hex somehow spring loaded so when no pressure from the cable is applied, it disengage itself?

Thanks!!

[pink panther]

The force from the cable is all that is needed to engage the lock. However the release will only happen when there is no tourque through the diff. So if you are cornering with locked diffs and want to un-lock, you have to stop and reverse a few centimeters or continue driving straight.

/pink

[pink panther]

Lockers in action.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kEr7PUJFf4k

/Pink