WTB: Hijet differential lock parts

**Hasenwerk** · 11-05-2008, 06:36 PM

I have a 1992 Daihatsu Hijet 4WD and I would like to get the parts that will enable me to have a differential lock.

Please contact me at david at hasenwerk. ca

Cheers!

**TRAX and HORNS** · 11-05-2008, 07:09 PM

About 4 months ago I had a custom truck built by "bulldogoffroad.com". While I was picking it up Chris and I were talking about diff. lockers. He said he had developed lockers for front and rear diff. and was testing them. Look them up and call em.
Nothing Ventured Nothing Gained !

**Hasenwerk** · 11-05-2008, 09:00 PM

Yeah, I'll have to contact them. All of my VWs have differential locks - really for serious off-roading a they are must. I was told the "climber" version of the Hijet has these stock... looking for the parts!

**Timetripper** · 11-06-2008, 08:48 AM

I think you will find they are working on LSD or Posi kits which are just fine

The factory Diff Locks are quite complicated with solenoids actuating vacuum diaphrams to engage the diff lock.
If you stripped a diff lock [and all the bits to make it work] out of any kei truck you would be amazed at the amount
of parts that you had sitting on the floor in front of you

There is pros & cons to both types

Diff Lock:

Cons
Only works in 1st & reverse gear

Pros
Easy to turn off and on when you really need it

100% power to both wheels

LSD/ Posi:

Cons
Works all the time [no I have not gone nuts]
Sometimes if you are on going side to side across a hill [as apposed to up & down a hill]
it is better to have a open diff. With the idea that one wheel keeps you anchored when the other spins
When both wheels spin gravity is pulling the truck down the hill

Pros
Works all the time
With diff lock only working in 1st gear as soon as you go up one gear you are back to open diff.
LSD keeps working - it doesn't know/ care which gear you are in

Alot of the hard core off roaders use ARB Airlockers [came from Austrailia orginally]
One day I'm hoping they notice kei trucks and start making kits for us.

**Hasenwerk** · 11-06-2008, 04:53 PM

This is my first Japanese vehicle - an saying that vacuum actuated lockers is a complicated thing makes me chuckle a bit!

All other vehicles that I own are German, Diesel burning, 4x4s which would put a serious trouncing on any Ford / Dodge / Chevy out there!

I have two Volkswagen Vanagon Syncros [Westfalia Camper and TriStar pickup], with both front and rear differential locks, and Volkswagen LT 4x4 with Unimog axles - The Syncros use vacuum actuated locks and the Unimog has pressure actuated locks - pretty simple stuff that works. I think LSDs are better for racing and the light off-roading. If you want serious off roading and especially with limited suspension travel like the Daihatsu has you want lockers at least on the rear. Perhaps an LSD on the front.

With a little bit of work, the cons for the OE lockers can be overcome - I am sure they can be made to work in any gear!

**greg0187** · 11-06-2008, 05:21 PM

You might as well just try to find an entire axle assembly. The axle housings are different. The only part that is probably interchangable is the ring and pinion gears, and possibly the axles.

-Greg