Pickup with axle diff locks and open diffs in low range?

[njc110381]

Evening chaps. I think the time is coming for me to buy a new pickup. Mine's on the way out and I want to get the next purchase right. I'm looking at a Jap Land Cruiser crew cab with the 4l V6, but I'm not sure about the lack of parts etc. I want to consider standard brit forecourt stuff too...

 

So, my old Ranger is ok, but immediately you select low range everything is locked. That's ok, but only off road. If you want to reverse a heavy trailer up a hill and around a bend then it's, well, shite really!

 

Is there anything available here that you can have high/low with and without diff lock? Axle lockers like the Cruiser/G-Wagen would be great. Sadly it seems that all the decent trucks that you see around the world don't come here? GB seems to be the place of shiney leather seats and no lashing rails on the bed. Great for company car tax avoidance, but for work....

 

What's about? I thought a post here would get me some real world answers.

 

Edit... Don't say Defender. Oil prices are rocketing lately and I can't afford to keep topping up the engine and gearbox!

Edited November 25, 2016 by njc110381

[miker]

my landcruiser is permanent 4 wheel drive, great, but if you want lo range you have to lock the centre diff , not sure who came up with that idea, has rear diff lock also

[miker]

sorry not pick up, station wagon

[fastrac]

i think most of the jap pick ups can be fitted with the old type free wheeling hubs that can be locked unlocked in low range when the centre dif is locked

[njc110381]

I just don't get it. It's such a silly idea. Land rover have a great system. Shame about the build quality!

 

What I'd really like is a Unimog type setup. Multiple ranges (or at least low range option) in 2wd or 4wd either with diffs open or locked. It can't be that hard surely?!

 

I think the G-Wagen is similar? But none of them have full width tailgates and they are also like rocking horse poo here...

[openspaceman]

I

What I'd really like is a Unimog type setup. Multiple ranges (or at least low range option) in 2wd or 4wd either with diffs open or locked. It can't be that hard surely?!

 

I think the G-Wagen is similar? But none of them have full width tailgates and they are also like rocking horse poo here...

 

That'll be a pinzgauer you want. Steyhr Puch did the running gear on the G Wagen and the Fiat panda 4wd I think.

[Peter]

I had the same dilemma.

 

Gone for the V6 Navara, you still can't select low range without locking the diff but first is really low, being a 7 speed. On the occasions you do need to reverse a trailer on tarmac in low box just let it scrub the tyres.

 

Actually the Isuzu salesman said they would fix it under warranty if I damaged the d max doing that. They have a 5 year warranty so that might be worth a look if you're going for brand new.

[njc110381]

It's not the breaking it that I'm worried about. Scrubbing the tyres does work, I do it with my Ranger, but that doesn't solve the fact that it completely ruins the lock. Sure you can scrub it round in a circle but you'll need a circle the size of the moon to do it on!

 

I've crashed into the same conclusion over and over. What I want, in a semi comfortable and new vehicle anyway, just doesn't exist! I was hoping someone would just say "my ____ does that!", but no....

 

Pinzgauer - isn't the the word for even slower and louder than a Defender, nearly as expensive to run as a Unimog?

[Peter]

Yeah, it's a real head ache.

 

The V6 has 230 hp and 550 Nm of torque, which helps.

[Peter]

Thinking about it, all the diff locks are electrically operated, so in theory you could separate the switching so the H/L knob does just that, and have the diffs on little toggle switches.