Got a question about front end lockers? As I understand, Suzuki has had a manual locking (Cable activated) front diff.locker for several years now. My first question would be, how does it work? The second question would be, why doesn't some of the aftermarket people produce a similar product for other machines. It seems that this would be the ticket that everyone is looking for. Being able to lock and unlock the front diff. when needed without having to get off your ride. Is it a patent issue? Or is this system not as good as it sounds. It looks like they could produce an aftermarket system that would use cable or even solenoid activation with a handlebar mounted switch. Just a thought. Any opinions??

 

I know that HighLifter is in the process of doing this, it will unlock the full time 4x4, proto type is being made for honda, and I inquired about yamaha, and he said that it could be in the near future...cable operated,, unlocking the driveshaft...

 

The three way 4x4 system that you are taliking about is the best option where you can have 2x4 or open diff 4x4 or lock front diff 4x4. the problem is that it takes a good chunk of money to develop these items. if it doesn't look like it will sell a large number of units then often it is not developed even if its the best idea around.
I would say that a modification kit that will do this is being designed and considered by several companies. It has to be designed so that all the major mods. come inside the kit. So that it is bolt on. That almost rules out the use of at least part of the existing housing. because you need a way to get a cable or other actuator into the existing diff. you will have to make and provide a cover mod or other idea, so the price keeps snow balling. It's tough to make parts like these. if you can sell 100 or so that won't even touch what it took to develop, test and make the parts. You have to be able to sell at least a thou or two to make it work.

 

Having a fully locked front differential with the option of disengaging the "locked" mode would require tapping through the carrier housing and at the very least installing new equipment inside your existing carrier, if not a whole new carrier. It could be done easily, but what company is going to spend the money to reserch and develope this set up if they can't sell enough of then to recoup their investment as well as make a profit? ARB makes a similar set up for full size rigs that is pneumatic. But there are ALOT more 4x4 rigs out there that share many of the same drive train components. Lets face it, the Dana 44 is in almost all front diffs on 1/2 ton pickups. So if a company makes an after market traction differential that fits a Dana 44, that pretty much covers all domestic auto manufacturers. The same is not true of 4x4 quads. A company can't make a "one size fits all" traction dif when it comes to quads. Because every model, and every manufacturer uses a different set up. So it wouldn't be cost effective. At least not yet anyway.

Rick