New Lockers for SJ Jinmy - Is there a market ?

Yup, valid point on CV stuff.

I machined for my mate over the road yonks back some collars which I TIGged onto his CVs he runs 2 x ARBs Insa Turbos offset rims, webber engine carb conversion and does VVV well in comps, he stopped breaking CVs when I did that for him, but its a bodge really not a great saleable product !...I do know that I can get HD Shafts and CVs tho, but as with all high grade stuff they are not cheap, and theres the problem, its NOT just 550 for a locker, its 550 for a locker then a compressor then shafts then CVs etc, my own axles for example

Pegged diffs casing (OK I make these but lets say £180 exc
Ashcroft HD CW&P £240
Ashlocker £570
Bearings and build up diff £260
Compressor £250
HD Flange casings £90
HD CVs and shafts £760

and nearly 2 x when front and back

Christ hope wifey never reads this thread !!!!!!

And thats my issue, is it something that many would like, but when the stark reality of money arises its frankly too spendy ?

I know that just a locker = breakages elsewhere ....done my axles now its Propshafts I twist into bits !

I am defo nervous at sinking a huge investment into a Suz_Locker but my brain and other say that there is a market, one thought I have is to make it to fit a selection of units from a SJ to a Jimny as ONE Diff centre, but via adapters of clever macvhining to allow a multi fit product, makes sense for me via costsings, make sense for a owener who goes say from an SJ to a Jimny, can resue it.

Thoughts and ramblings but keep the posts coming....

Nige

i still think HD shafts and CV's would be a better option as people with no lockers still seem to break CV's especially when running large tyres.

theres also torque lockers out there for a couple hundred which alot of people seem to fit as one in the rear generaly sees you through most situations.

its only really the hardcore offroaders that need and want front and rear air lockers which narows the market.

if i broke a cv i would seriously look for HD ones as it saves future cost replacing more cv's, if you break one you will inevitably break them again!!

there is deffinately a market but the high costs make it smaller than people who want them,

i mean myself i think i'll put a lockrite in the rear shortly, for the simplexity and cost,

i know i'd like a front arb, but the cost and how little i'd probably use it, doesnt become a cost effective process for me, but if i get to the point where i feel my jimny is finished i'll probably do one for the hell of it

but it would deffinately open up your market if its adaptable for sj's and jimnys, would cut your production costs and potentially double your market,

there is a large demand for hd shafts and cv, theres been a couple of companies threatening of producing some but people have now been waiting a while, and there seems little/no progress

i think it all boils down to money though, its looking big money to locker both axles and hd shafts, £3k + all in, if i have a lotto win i'm sure i'd do it in a flash, unfortunately its not money your average joe has to throw at a weekend toy

it seems the people with the time and knowledge do axle swaps instead as you can get a locking and stronger axles for a third of the price, obviously man hours on top to perform the conversion

And Jimny axle aint the best of ratios either I still favour axle swap but then that's just me :laugh:

Hi Nigel,

I am well aware of your work and know of a few people that know you - Jeff Waghorn, Grant Callow etc from the Essex Megaquirt clan.

I think there is a market for front and rear diffs for Jimny's and that you are right to look at the Jimny with the SJ numbers falling rapidly where they have been seen as disposable by so many for so long.

How many you would sell though is another matter.

I think at this price you would encroach on the rear Lockright market, as some people buy those not being able to afford an ARB and not wanting to risk money on a Chinese ARB copy. So you will be a good alternative.

As has been said - the front is of limited value unless the associated strengthened front shafts and CV's are available along side it.

There is a bit of a queue of people waiting to buy strengthened front shafts and CV's at the moment too.

There are 2 companies supposed to be making them - Off Road Armoury - Rob's not commented on them for a long time, so who knows where they are at selling them - I think they were in collaboration with KAM (pipe up Rob) - at which point, that's gonna take forever, if ever.

The other is Russ at Jimnybits, who has got past the design and testing stage but is yet to put them into production. So if Russ can get them into production, you'll not have to worry about doing them and can concentrate on just your diffs. Russ may put it at a higher priority if you create more people wanting them with your front diffs! Perhaps you could have a convo? www.jimnybits.co.uk/shop/index.php

I'm guessing it goes without saying the front would be 4 pin.

Kirkynut

yes

thinking probably forged cross shaft 20mm