2 questions - AC parts and lockers

Hi, hoping someone can point me in the right direction. Had a call from the garage, all is not well. Went in for air con regas, headlight check (front panel been replaced), and dodgy noise in the rear. Only thing sorted is the headlights - they were fine. Cannot re-gas the AC due to the 2 valves needing replacement (think they said a high and low pressure valve?), 1 was leaking. Are these Suzuki only parts or can I get them cheaper? The rear end noise, turns out the diff is goosed. So, open to the idea of a locking diff. Car is mainly used on light lanes, not really a pay and play monster. So, do I go for an LSD, or a full locker? Not going for air locker, not really got anywhere for the pump, and not having in the car, so thinking of an electric locker - what are your thoughts?
Cheers

Personal preference is for the quaif helical diff available from jimnybits. Fit and forget. You just drive and its there all the time helping. I drove Snipers Tread Lightly before the back half fell off and was immediately taken by the smooth but positive application of traction. Its near the top of my Christmas list.

What effect/difference does it make to on road driving?

It promotes a tightened line in speed cornering and generally makes the whole vehicle more planted and predictable. In contrast my Dreadnaught is as planted with the low track springs on but doesn't have the same traction especially on really tight uphill sections where you can expect to unload the inside tyre. It is also much more progressive than a lunch box unlocker that I have driven, that was not nice on the road.

Thanks, just priced up the Quaif one, the e-locker seems about £150 cheaper. Not sure I need extra traction on the tarmac - the rear doesn't exactly break away under the high power!

I've had the Quaife ATB diff for a while and think it's a top piece of kit. It does so much for the chassis dynamic, it makes it a really drivable little car.

The standard Jimny chassis is sloppy and slow to react, gives next to no feedback (other than skipping about) and has no "feel". Making it a difficult car to drive quickly. (There's a Jimny breaker local to me and virtually every car has been on it's side...)

The ATB gives the car a "lift off oversteer" ( drivingfast.net/wp-content/uploads/oversteer.png ) chassis that feels just like an old Ford Escort. Not the best handling car ever and not the easiest to drive fast, but very familiar to me and I love it.

So long as you are pushing on and have a little more throttle to give (tightens your line) if needed. It's a go-cart.... I can out handle any other 4x4 and most saloons on tight and twisty B roads...... Not all down to the diff, it's a built car and the diff works as part of the package but the diff is the bit that wakes up the rest of the parts... Tyres, suspension, brakes are all affected by it.

The Jimny chassis will always be difficult to drive fast because it is so short, when the back end brakes away, you need to be expecting it, in order to catch it. Surprise departures are fearsomely quick and the steering is painfully slow.....

So you see, it does a bit more than help out in a muddy lane. A lot more than a "locker" but it won't help when cross axle lifts a wheel, where lockers will.

There is a big negative....... GRIP....... When grip is low, the diff can promote slip in tight bends. Small roundabouts and T junction rights have to be given a little respect or you will be putting the arse end out. Very predictable but it can be embarrassing, especially when the only safe thing to do is power through the slide.....:blush: :blush: :blush:

sniper