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New Lockers for SJ Jinmy - Is there a market ?

  • Megasquirt_V8
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14 Jan 2014 09:49 - 14 Jan 2014 13:00 #100468 by Megasquirt_V8
New Lockers for SJ Jinmy - Is there a market ? was created by Megasquirt_V8
Hi All,

This is not a "Vapour Thread" I am really thinking of looking at going into production for a locking differential unit for Suzuki SJs and Jimny

The spec so far is

Most likely Air Opporated , possibly Hydraulic
Units sub £550 all in
No welding of casing etc a la KAM
No plastic cages / pipes running over CW&Ps a la ARBs
Simple, strong reliable

I have made and created other projects and products, have produced a pegged Differentail for Land Rover casings with 143 sold and a zero failure rate etc, so its not a pie in the sky dream

Unusually there would be NO VAT payable, as not VAT Regfistered, and equally unusual I use UK engineering firms to control quality etc

So, my question(s) is

Is there a market for a good solid relaible Suzuki Front / Rear Locking system at around £550 ish for the unit ?
What would you get excited to see / spec vs want would you not like (ie welding cases (I worked for a while at KAM Diffs and NEVER EVER Liked the Suzuki Offerings)

I started Megasquirt.v8.co.uk in 2009, and now 40% of our business is differential related...this is a BIG step financially so need to be confident.. !

The more info the better, as to if I comit a large chunk of my monies to make this happen.

I am for those that Don't know Nigel Barker of www.megasquirt-v8.co.uk a Mad Land Rover owner (5.2 John Eales Race Rover 342 BHP VCool lockers and loads extra, just so that you know this is a serious thread....

Oh, and I don't like / agree / accept the non sense of suzuki 4x4ers hate LR owners and vs vica - nonsense - I do love LRs and am often seriously hacvked off when my mate with a 2 x ARB much modded SJ413 squezes through gaps I can't and has such small weight that goes where I sink, he grumbles when 342BHP + 2 tons screams up a hill past him where he can't.....I LOVE 4x4s and HE said - Nigel....decvent suzuki locker would be popular .....



So, thoughts please the more the better, and any input is good Smile

Nige :woohoo:
Last edit: 14 Jan 2014 13:00 by Megasquirt_V8. Reason: hyperlink

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  • ne-crock
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14 Jan 2014 12:08 #100492 by ne-crock
Replied by ne-crock on topic New Lockers for SJ Jinmy - Is there a market ?
this is deffinately interesting, and i believe there would be a market, how large i dont know,

would it be £550 an axle?

also i think your hyperlinks wrong and needs - instead of the .

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  • jonesyba420
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14 Jan 2014 12:25 #100496 by jonesyba420
Replied by jonesyba420 on topic New Lockers for SJ Jinmy - Is there a market ?
when you say all in would that include compressor etc?

plug and play so to speak would be preferable for most people i think, not everyone can weld but theres alot of people on here that would fit it themselves if no welding is involved.

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14 Jan 2014 13:01 #100503 by mlines
Given the number of requests I get for a Jimny front locker then there is some demand out there, although how much it is would be a guess. A number of suppliers do the rear (because an SJ one will fit) but ARB are the only ones who do a front one as far as I know

I would look at making associated parts as well, once a diff lock is installed then half-shaft/driveshaft/cv joint damage can occur so hardened versions of these would be good

Martin

2003 M13 early KAP build.
3" Trailmaster lift with 1.5 Spacers on front
Customised winch bumper and roll cage
235/85R16 Maxxis Bighorns on 16" Rims, 4:1 Rocklobster, Rear ARB locker and on-board air
Corrected arms all-round, rear disks, Recaro seats and harnesses
The following user(s) said Thank You: Megasquirt_V8

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  • Megasquirt_V8
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14 Jan 2014 13:06 #100506 by Megasquirt_V8
Replied by Megasquirt_V8 on topic New Lockers for SJ Jinmy - Is there a market ?
Ah - Hyperlink fixed !

Each Diff unit would be a traget price of around £550 (No VAT)Front / rear = £550 x 2

Plus either Air compressor on top or hydro pump

Welding I think is daft. The suzuki SJ tubes can bend just a little bit everso easily, the KAM system was such that if the tube bend a tad it could then jam as the sliding dog er well, wouldn't !

The LR KAM locker is a weld on ring to casing unit, and I have never liked this, same reason bent tube = loads of work, as it is to fit it, I am lucky as I can MIG TIG AC/DC etc, but I don't WANT to have to weld up big lumps on axles etc...

Its something thats been chewing away in my mind for some time, I need to get some jimny diffs and have a closer lookie but I am keen to see if there is a market, hell, I'm suppossed to have early retired, but now love what I do so much that I fancy doing a locker !.

We recently had a rare McNamara Locker in for a rebuild, it was soooo simple neanderthal, prob 20 years old + and was perfect working system, no silly design flaws, and the customer wouldn't sell at ANY price - I tried !

Ashcroft have a superb LR Locker, but to my knowledge - other than ARBs - which we repair ALL the time - theres nothing else out there, and lets be honest apart from the fact I think the ARB is poor in terms of some design areas its ferkin expensive !

Hmmmmmmmmmmmm :)

Nige

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  • jonesyba420
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14 Jan 2014 13:06 #100507 by jonesyba420
Replied by jonesyba420 on topic New Lockers for SJ Jinmy - Is there a market ?
good point Martin about the assosiated parts, id think theres probably more demand for HD shafts and CV's as these dont seem readily available.

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