Is HD package so useful in snow?

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Nechaken

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Also, speaking generally to OP's point -- I live in CO and had a 2012 without HD and a 2016 with HD. Haven't gotten stuck yet in either, although I am running blizzaks in Winter.

Watching the 4x4 display, an aggressive standing start will lock the center, and flooring it will also see the rear lock up.
 

CaliLee

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If you don’t have a full size spare then you don’t have the locking diff. I have a 2010 as well (without HD package) and yes it will show 2 diffs on the screen however the rear one will never lock and you will notice that when you see the center one lock over technical terrain but yet the rear one will always stay green and say it’s unlocked. Not sure why they did it this was but it’s the same with the LR3’s too. I thought I had a rear locker too until I read about it (despite me swearing I’d seen it locked before). All in all IMO the HD package on the 10-13’s isn’t really necessary, personally I’ve done some pretty technical off-roading in my car and with the right driver the traction control in this car is absolutely phenomenal off-road. The HD would only be super useful if you do very advanced rockcrawling or super deep mud. I’ve kept up with a D5 with the HD package and 33’ g2 grapplers just fine so don’t feel limited.

So I have bit of a mystery here, my truck's at the shop right now and I called and had them check. I do have a locking rear diff but not a full size spare. I bought it used so maybe they swapped it out at some point before I got it.
 

Jimmy Brooks

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So I have bit of a mystery here, my truck's at the shop right now and I called and had them check. I do have a locking rear diff but not a full size spare. I bought it used so maybe they swapped it out at some point before I got it.
Oh damn, i wish that was the case for Mine. If your truck has the window sticker in the owners manual that’s another good way to check. again, wish mine had it!
 

Jimmy Brooks

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So I have bit of a mystery here, my truck's at the shop right now and I called and had them check. I do have a locking rear diff but not a full size spare. I bought it used so maybe they swapped it out at some point before I got it.
More on this, i looked up the rear differential in an OEM Land Rover parts website. Interestingly enough it seems that the description for the diffs are “with locking, without locking.” This makes it sound like its possible that all trucks from 2010-13 came with the rear locker but just dont have the modules fitted. Does anyone Know if this is true? If so I might Just buy the rear locking module and have it wired to the car.
 

TrinidadLR4

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locking rear diffs have a solenoid on them. Not sure if the fitting for the solenoid exists on non-lockers. Also the internals have to be different, right?
 

ryanjl

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I think the internals are different based on the fact that they each require different differential fluid, signifying to me there are different bushing materials in the locking version vs. the non-locking version.

That's a wild guess, though.

My 2012 is a non-HD version. I've thought about finding a wrecked HD LR4 and getting the locking rear out of it, but having read about other people doing that and all the electronic hoops they have to jump through to make it work, I think it would be MUCH easier (and probably cheaper) just to install an ARB air locker.
 

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