Thread: MQ Triton diff swap

Originally Posted by Sika 8

I have an MQ GLX 4x4 auto and that is factory with the electric diff lock, i assumed the GLS would be the same?

Na the GLX all do. GLS has nicer everything else so chose to forgo the rear lock. Some models do have them but I think it’s a factory add on at the time of purchase.

The ranger and equivalent Mazda have gone for the electronic locking using the ABS system to limit wheel slip. It is surprisingly effective - I have not felt the lack of the diff locker on mine even though it's on road tyres for towing. Some rangers still come with the rear locker, but it would only be useful in really hard core 4wd situations over the electronic ABS locking setup - and in reality the Ranger really isn't the best choice of vehicle for that work.

Well I did it. Took me 7 hours start to finish, but it’s done.
The truck drives and no pesky errors so I must have done something right. I have also managed to improve the braking. The second set had more meat on the pads

Sadly though the locker doesn’t, well, lock. The switch lights up, but no lights on the dash, and no clunks to show me it’s engaging.
Ah well the hard part is done. Mechanically it’s in. Just need to figure out how to run it.
Either through Mitsubishi messing with the canbus, or I’ll just run a separate power feed directly to a switch.

That’s next weeks problem though, I’m wrecked after that!

Yeah, it's often more of a mission than you'd think...

Just took me early 70's mum's little Nissan through for a WOF - failed on a couple of suspension bushes and a brake inbalance on the rear end. Bushes were a piece of piss, although I cocked up with one little balljoint shield and it left a hua of a mark on the brake disc. Oh well, I have the technology to fix that it was just another hour of work for me du'oh.

Sorted out the brake drums at the back so I thought - a bleed, clean and adjust. Took it back through and failed worse, WTF? Looked at the sheets, front and back were both out of whack high on right side by roughly the same amount, odd. Didn't do anything, rolled it back through this morning and lined up on Lane 1 deliberately as both previous tests were on Lane 2. Passed straight off. Bloody VTNZ! The brake rollers on Lane 2 look like they are out of calibration by 13 or 14% left to right...

Sweet wired it up to a switch via a relay. I jacked the rear up and when engaged both wheels spin in the same direction. When off they spin opposites
My only issue is the switch I bought is different to what I already have, so might swap it out. Mostly for aesthetics but also move it up to by the driver so curious kids don’t push the button when I don’t want it pushed!

Much better. Now I have an anytime rear diff lock

Where do you get these buttons from?

Was it a diff from a GLX that you put in? I may want to do something like this in the far future and want something to reference...

Originally Posted by will.i.em

Where do you get these buttons from?

Was it a diff from a GLX that you put in? I may want to do something like this in the far future and want something to reference...

I just googled diff lock button MQ triton. The first one I didn’t check the size measurements. Second I got from nz Suzuki and made sure to measure the hole haha.

Mine was from a wrecked VRX, but as GLX have the diff lock as standard I assume it would be a similar swap. Not sure if the brakes are the same size though. I know the GLS and above versions can have beefier brakes as standard.

All in the whole thing cost me about $800, and that included buying the jackstands. The rear diff assembly I got for $500, so I think I got a pretty good deal there.

Just remember to keep yr speed down when in diff lock.My old patrol has alarm bells ringing when touching 20kph and over.Noisey but reminds you to go slow.