VW Transporter 4 motion. Diff lock???

[Heym SR20]

Do you mean Torsen with extra components that lock, or that Torsen "locks"?

Torsen is basically a torque multiplier, and zero multiplied is still zero. So if one wheel slips (has zero traction / zero torque transferred through), the other wheel would not move in Torsen diff.

Have a look at

Torsen - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

The Audi Quattro uses this type of mechanical automatic locking system. Its really quite clever.

My mistake - VW uses a Haldex system which is electronically actuated with clutch plates to thr same effect in its 4 Motion systems.

Haldex Traction - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

Both have the effect if one side over speeds due to loss of traction the power is put to other axle or wheels.

There are pro and cons of live axles vs independent suspensions. Live Axles can and do very good articulation, but a well designed independent suspension works very well. Indeed most high performance off road military vehicles such the Supercat Jackal use independent wishbone suspension to give much superior ride.

Indeed one of the most rugged cars used in Africa and the Middle East that have hundreds of thousands of miles on dirt roads and tracks are the old Mercedes W114/5 and the W123 with independent suspension.

 

[Heym SR20]

I have a Touareg with 4x motion, which has a low box and central and rear locking diff. I have to say I have never needed the diffs yet but appreciate this is a different system to haldex (i think).

Have the same. It’s the Escape model. Very capable off road and was mainly aimed at Australia / South Africa although some sold in the UK.

 

[jthyttin]

The Audi Quattro uses this type of mechanical automatic locking system. Its really quite clever.

I repeat, Torsen is not a locker. I did browse through the article you linked, and let's say that whoever participated in writing it have not so great understanding of locking differentials. Please educate me in case I missed something.

The working principle in Torsen is worm gear and while open differential will always distribute same amount of torque to both wheels, Torsen will distribute torque after the Torque Bias Ratio (or whatever you want to call it).

Speaking about torque won't be intuitive at once. But when you understand that using open differential, free spinning wheel (in air or very slippery surface like ice) transmits zero torque you also understand that the other wheel (on tarmac or something else with good traction) has to keep still in order to keep the torque equal on both sides.

Torsen works nicely as long as there is at least some traction on the slippery slide. It will transfer e.g. 3 times the torque to the grippy side (TBR being 3:1 in that case). It also does not have any sacrificial / wearing material like e.g. Limited Slip Differential. But when the slippery side has zero torque (spinning), the grippy side also has zero torque (not rotating at all).

Of course there are ways to "cheat" and introduce torque on the slippery side. All AWD systems based on brakes work like that, and long before them it was common knowledge to use brakes manually for the same effect. This works on open diff, and of course more efficiently with Torsen. But it's last chance type option and won't actually work with many newer vehicles if they cut fuel delivery when you press the brake pedal (and there is no way to circumvent, like some ECUs have)

 

[Loler UK]

Hi all,

With the new tax changes on pickups, I believe the only 4x4 commercial vehicle with 5 seats is now a VW transporter T32 4motion. (Unless I'm wrong??)

Does anyone own one and would like to comment on them as stalking vehicles? Finding one with diff lock is as rare as hens teeth. Is diff lock absolutely necessary or with a decent set of tyres be sufficient for most scenarios???

Many thanks

Good tyres make a massive difference, although they can also get you into deeper trouble. As I posted earlier I've owned mamu VW transporters, 2wd, 4motion with and without diff lock and own many sets of wheels and tyres for different terrain / seasons.

For all of the geeks out there that have never owned the above and used them off road for stalking extensively: Van stuck - press diff lock button - van not stuck anymore-simples.

Having competed in off road competitions for years in standard and modified classes with LSD's open diffs, air lockers, manual lockers, electric lockers, manual fiddle brakes and computerised systems I'm familiar with the pro's and cons of each.

A van with independent suspension and limited ground clearance is never going to follow a defender along a deeply rutted track but I have left a 90 stuck behind me with it's wheels spinning whilst I've just gently driven away in my t6.1 using the diff lock.

Debate the haldex system and traction control aids all you want I would NEVER buy a 4motion transporter for stalking without a diff lock.

For me it's been perfect, working all over the UK and having stalking dotted all over. With a HD lockable draw, no rear windows the rifle is nice and secure, plenty of space for deer in the back and I installed anchor points for suspended grallochs and can actually hang 4 small deer from gambrells in the back for transport. I can stalk on my way home from work without having to return home to swap vehicles and do a 1000mile round trip in comfort with reasonable mpg (40.6mpg varied, better on long motorway journeys)

I've got it stuck, plenty of times, typically beeched with the wheels sunken into soft ground. I have a tirfor winch with redirect/ snatch pulleys just in case, 4snow chains and all have seen allot of use.

If all my stalking was local I'd have a 2wd van for work and a Jimmy or a 5 door 90 for stalking. If I was a full time contractor traveling a fair distance I'd have a pickup with a canopy, less distance then a 110/130 with a canopy.

The aroma of dead deer in the back of my van is an acquired taste, with no bulkhead either