Expression of Interest for Development of Rear Diff Air-Lock

[Ghosti]

Hi all,
I am posting here to survey interest to have a diff locker developed to replace the open diff in our R145 rear diff assemblies. This would significantly improve our vehicles' off-road capabilities, and would help a lot in the snow as well. If we get more people onboard, it will improve the chances that a manufacturer will start developing one.

I'm joining this forum as a bit of an "alien" as I don't own a Rogue. I drive an X-Trail and it has the same R145 rear diff assembly as the Rogue. Therefore any diff locker developed for the X-Trail would be compatible with your cars as well. I am undertaking this with some other active members of the Australian X-Trail Forum

Revhead Kev is the man behind the endeavor:

Hi all,

I have been researching the possibility of having a rear diff lock developed for the Xtrail.
Initial enquiries have been made with both ARB for a manual air-operated locker and 4WD Systems in SA for an automatic mechanical locker.

4WD Systems in SA have indicated that they would be interested in researching the development of a mechanical locker for the Xtrail in early 2011.
Here is the link to their LOKKA range of diff locks and how they work...4WD Systems LOKKA

ARB unfortunately do not have at the top of their list the development of an air-operated locker for the Xtrail due to lack of enquiries or interest.
Here is the link to their Air-Operated diff locks and how they work (watch the video)...ARB Air-Locker

Below are some explainations on what an air-operated diff lock would do for the Xtrail and how it would enhance its off-road capability.

1. With improved traction through both rear wheels having equal torque, approach speeds and momentum can be reduced.
This results in less bounce over rough terrain, saving potential damage to the vehicle underbody as well as safer negotiation of obstacles due to increased reaction time with the lower speed.

2. Reduced drivetrain damage from shock loads.
Because both rear wheels will have the same lower speed without one wheel free-spinning, there is less chance for a wheel to grab and transfer a shock load to the driveshaft with a subsequent potential for snapping the driveshaft or CV joint.

3. Less damage to the environment.
Because both rear wheels would have the same speed, the free-spinning wheel would rotate at a much lower speed equal the the travelling speed of the wheel with traction, therefore not gouging the terrain and causing further erosion.

If you are interested, please post here or head to Kev's NissanForum post or the original Australian X-Trail Forum post. Oh, and sorry for the long post...

P.S. The R145 rear diff assembly is shared with the Murano, Rogue and X-Trail to name a few, so I'm double-posting this on both of the appropriate forums here.

[philipa_240sx]

Ghosti,

In North America, the Murano, Rogue, and certain trim levels of the X-Trail all came with a limited slip/traction control system. These systems provide additional traction by applying brakes to the spinning wheel mimicking a limited slip differential. The biggest benefit is they don't drastically affect the handling of the vehicle like a locking diff can.

One issue that dose arise is how this limited slip system would be affected by the addition of a locking diff? I have no idea myself.

Don't get me wrong, an air locking diff would be a fantastic addition. I just feel there would be a very limited market for it. Lockers are usually found in off-roading circles, something that most owners of the Rogue, Murano, X-Trail never do.

Good luck!