Why would they keep that limited slip front differential on the new 450FE, when it's selectable 2/4 wheel drive (TraxLox)?? Also, why limit the traxlox to just the 450? Why not on the Rubicon and Rancher series? My Rubicon is great, but 2-wheel drive when I mow would be extremely nice. The 450 isn't an option, IMHO, for mowing, since it's air-cooled.

 

well at least highlifter is coming out with the unlocker for the rubicon and rancher. and it would be beter if the honda front diff was locked on the forman becuse you could unlock it for normal riding and lock it for all out mud. it would be just like the polaris set up but much better becuse it would be full time 4x4.

 

The 450 does now have the rancher and rubicons diff...for 2002.

 

It sounds like you guys may be confusing selectable 2W/4WD with the locking feature that can be found on some limited-slip differentials. The locking feature allows you to lock both wheels to the drive-shaft (bypassing the limited-slip mechanism) so that both wheels can pull. If you've ever been stuck in a truck or can (where limited-slip is a standard feature) you know both wheels will free spin if only one looses traction. The locking feature doesn't allow this to happen.

The selectable 2WD/4WD feature is completely independant and simply determines if the front wheels are being driven at all by the drive shaft.

 

The 450 has a oil cooler with fan so it can be worked hard without over heating. I ride with lots of people with air cooled bikes some even without a oil cooler option and they never complain there engine is getting to hot.

 

Is Highlifter coming out with an unlocker for the 300 4x4 that you know of??

 

Yes Highlifter is going to make an Unlocker for the 300 4x4s. They say on their website that they will make ones for the Rubicons, Ranchers, and Foreman 400s and 450s and the 300 4x4 with the Foreman 450s being marketed first.

 

I know it's independent of the front diff. I always assumed that Honda used the LSD to make the steering effort easier, since all their 4x4's were full-time 4wd. Now that they have selectable 2wd/4wd, I would expect they just put a locking front diff on the foreman.
Also, concerning the liquid vs. air cooling... try mowing a 5 acre lot on a 90 degree day, and you will notice the difference between the rubicon and 450es. I sold my '99 450es because of the intense heat (it actually shut itself down one time-- very frightening).