Stuck in the Mud

bighairypict · Post by **bighairypict** » Thu Jan 03, 2008 10:49 pm

Thanks for all the helpful comments about differentials, team.

My usual driving experience with a 1WD Suzuki doesn't contribute much to my experience of this but certainly I have rarely experienced the effect quite as much as driving home from work today through snow and slush and static water and more snow. I would have been far more surprised by the strange things happening at the back of my Bongo if I hadn't read this first.

It does seem to me that the differential effect is far more noticable than on most four wheeled vehicles I've driven. Is this other people's experience?

Harry · Post by **Harry** » Thu Jan 03, 2008 11:27 pm

Wouldn't know what the technicalities are with a bongo...mine is a 4WD bongolow...but I'm as confident about its handling in slippery conditions on roads and grass as I am when driving Rescue Landies or other 4x4s.

The bongo hasn't got the clearance of most 4WD vehicles but I have taken it onto an off road training course and on a skid pan and it performs amazingly well if driven sensibly.

cheers

H

ps...spent part of today driving on packed snow/ice and across a frozen field....with never a slip.

The Great Pretender · Post by **The Great Pretender** » Fri Jan 04, 2008 12:45 am

Harry wrote:Wouldn't know what the technicalities are with a bongo...mine is a 4WD bongolow...but I'm as confident about its handling in slippery conditions on roads and grass as I am when driving Rescue Landies or other 4x4s.

The bongo hasn't got the clearance of most 4WD vehicles but I have taken it onto an off road training course and on a skid pan and it performs amazingly well if driven sensibly.

cheers

H

ps...spent part of today driving on packed snow/ice and across a frozen field....with never a slip.

Bugger............I dont do sensible

Post by **Bob** » Fri Jan 04, 2008 3:55 pm

The Great Pretender wrote:LSD conversions available if enough want them. Or make your own

I'd be interested in price, 'diff'iculty of fitting etc.

The Great Pretender · Post by **The Great Pretender** » Fri Jan 04, 2008 11:09 pm

Bob wrote:
The Great Pretender wrote:LSD conversions available if enough want them. Or make your own
I'd be interested in price, 'diff'iculty of fitting etc.

I am making my own (for a race car), its waiting for final machining.

This is available and if not available for the Bongo diff with the dimentions it should be possible for them to machine one to size.

There are 4 springs that sit inside the unit. The pinion shaft fits inside the smaller hole with the pinion gears sat above and below with a small clearance.
The pinion side gears mate against the side face of the unit (where the larger hole is).
While both wheels are turning the unit does nothing. When a wheel slips the side gear turns against the unit forcing it against the pinion gear stopping the slip.

Simple isnt it, and highly rated.

bigdaddycain · Post by **bigdaddycain** » Sat Jan 05, 2008 12:26 am

I like the sound of the above l.s.d T.G.P....I like its mechanical nature,as opposed to the complicated viscous actuators on some other l.s.d's.

My own experience (very limited admittedly)of off-roading with my 4wd bongo,stretches to negotiating the entrance/exit of ainsdale beach

As a landrover freelander got bogged down, my bongo just sailed on through....

I very much doubt this could happen now, as i've since lowered my bongo 50mm, and have 18" wheels fitted. Theres no way the skinny profile tyres offer as much grip as when i was on 70 section tyres with my previously fitted 15"s

The Great Pretender · Post by **The Great Pretender** » Sat Jan 05, 2008 1:25 am

bigdaddycain wrote:I like the sound of the above l.s.d T.G.P....I like its mechanical nature,as opposed to the complicated viscous actuators on some other l.s.d's.

My own experience (very limited admittedly)of off-roading with my 4wd bongo,stretches to negotiating the entrance/exit of ainsdale beach

As a landrover freelander got bogged down, my bongo just sailed on through....

I very much doubt this could happen now, as i've since lowered my bongo 50mm, and have 18" wheels fitted. Theres no way the skinny profile tyres offer as much grip as when i was on 70 section tyres with my previously fitted 15"s

Works on the KISS system BDC, brilliant aint it, 4 springs 2 plates and opposing pressure. In fact its so simple...................WHY DIDNT I THINK OF IT FIRST................

bigdaddycain · Post by **bigdaddycain** » Sat Jan 05, 2008 2:14 am

I like!

Post by **Bob** » Sun Jan 06, 2008 3:06 am

I'm likeing the look of this, any idea what sort of money we're talking, and how to fit it please?

The Great Pretender · Post by **The Great Pretender** » Sun Jan 06, 2008 3:21 am

Bob wrote:I'm likeing the look of this, any idea what sort of money we're talking, and how to fit it please?

Self fit if available 2 to 3 hundred pounds

timhum · Post by **timhum** » Sun Jan 06, 2008 11:33 am

Here are the LSDs mentioned
http://tinyurl.com/27465b
No Bongo option I fear.
Tim

Post by **Bob** » Mon Jan 07, 2008 3:56 pm

timhum wrote:Here are the LSDs mentioned
http://tinyurl.com/27465b
No Bongo option I fear.
Tim

Thanks, shame about that.