suspecting front diff is stuck locked .......................

[Towpack]

From what I've seen of the VC it's a sealed, fluid filled unit and not easily opened for inspection or repair.
Still available according to Amayama for around £600 plus shipping, ID and VAT. 41330-60010

 

[BobMurphy]

Is that it, Shayne (or a library pic ?).

Looks in similar condition to the centre diff planet carrier I took out of a 90 transfer box recently !

 

[Shayne]

Its a wikipeadia pic Bob , can't find my preferred rtv locally 200ml Granville is ace last forever easy to keep tidy and seal and goes a very long way , its on the bloody boat

Reading up on the viscous its a dummies driving aid is all , and for us lot like giving inflatable arm bands to Tarzan . For people who would never even consider locking a diff .

Not caring much about its delete I'm not going to investigate but mulling it over I don't believe it actually seizes . Sealed unit silicone oil , the oil breaks down and it stops functioning much like the viscous fan we have learned to top up .

As said I have no use for the thing but perhaps repair is possible because its about get oil inside rather than dismantling ?

 

[Towpack]

The VC just turns the, otherwise fully open diff into a LSD and was designed and aimed at improving on-tarmac traction in slippery conditions which it does. My old Sierra 4x4 had one and was pretty good in snow despite having "sports" road tyres. I believe the original Audi Quattro had something similar. I've never had to lock the CD on the 80 on snow covered roads to get anywhere, in fact I reckon it drives better than with the diff locked in such conditions.
From Toyota's point of view it also improves on road performance in such conditions without burdening the uninitiated with the decision on wether to lock the diff or not with the associated risk of using a locked diff unnecessarily.
I think it's fair to say that most 80 series are now in the hands of people who know how to make full use of the transmission but when they were new they were bought by the average Joe/Joanne with deep pockets, much like modern Chelsea Tractors today.
All that is with a fully operational VC of course which all goes a bit Pete Tong when it malfunctions.

 

[Shayne]

A vital part for 4x4's that don't have locking diffs and obviously not a bad thing to have even if you do have diff locks , but Toyota themselves dropped it some time in the early 100 series production I read somewhere ?

 

[Towpack]

The advent of electronics and traction control, where each wheel can be locked independently via the ABS system, pretty much negates the need for fancy, lockable diffs. Barring any electrical gremlins, such systems guarantee optimum traction. Most new SUV's I can think of have it.
Even new bikes have ABS and TC, controlled by ECU's with input from an Inertia Measurement Unit and lean angle sensors. My new Triumph has all that and with the exception of the ABS I don't want or need any of it but it's "progress"! In fact, on the default setting the TC is way too invasive so I turn it off.

 

[Jon Wildsmith]

Dropping it after the 80 was probably a cost thing - very few people buying a new 100 would appreciate what the VC gave them vs the cost. Also there was ATRAC which was supposed to do the same job I guess, but doesn't really. In snowy or icy conditions, or a greasy track, you'll have to start locking diffs in a 100 where in an 80 with VC you'll still have good traction with open diffs. I've experienced this when I started laning my first 100 and came to appreciate how much more flexible the 80's VC is than a locked CD.

 

[Shayne]

I've seen traction control in action , while following one without TC when you can chuck a stone at the next corner you can pull up make a fire boil up a cuppa and drink it without falling behind

 

[Gav missin]

Saw exactly this in action yesterday. Was out with a group on the local lanes. Came to a little washout which we drove on the may laning trip in Norfolk. James pootled through in his Colly, we ambled up in the 80,(no vc) both high range open centre. Look back and the discovery 3/4 following were teetering about wheels off the floor, locking wheels,spinning wheels electrical buzzing. Granted they got through but just seemed to make a mountain out of a mole hill. One didn't make the day out and went home on a recovery. Engine rattling and no dipstick to check oil levels!!!! Progress.

 

[Shayne]

Progress makes even romance complicated nowadays

 

[Gav missin]

Progress makes even romance complicated nowadays

View attachment 340541

In the fens Shayne, its DNA that makes that complicated.....

 

[Shayne]

I thought sheep answered to a whistle out their Gav

 

[Gav missin]

Good job them sheep cant talk......

 

[Shayne]

It stopped raining and I had a message to say my gasket will arrive before 11pm tonight so never mind gives me a chance to rectify this

 

[Shayne]

And this

 

[BobMurphy]

Oh dear - what happened ??

 

[Shayne]

Reckless tree stumps should be banned is all I'm saying

Did me a favour really because it looks better now than it has ever since I did the body lift , alas those two pics took me 2 or 3 attempts an hour for my 4 hours to post from an ipad .

 

[Shayne]

Reckless tree stumps should be banned is all I'm saying

Did me a favour really because it looks better now than it has ever since I did the body lift , alas those two pics took me 2 or 3 attempts an hour for maybe 4 hours to post from an ipad .

 

[Shayne]

try again

 

[Shayne]

No idea why they upside down got 4 girls here telling me its the right way up before I post

I got further than that its all undercoated and rubbed down with wet & dry several times ready for paint and clearcoat today had it not been pissing down