From what I have heard, the lockright type of diferentials are not
really suitable for street use.
I know there was at least one listmember who went this route and ended
up removing the diff.
The reason?

Here is a good explaination posted on a 4x4 website:

> When driving in a straight line the locker is normally locked. On dry
> pavement, when cornering, the outer wheel over-running the speed of
> the axle unlocks the outside axle shaft. Power is applied to the
> inside wheel only. This can cause a noticeable under-steer.
> Additionally, if enough power is applied while in the turn, the axle
> will lock up and the vehicle either slips wildly, spins or straightens
> out suddenly. These differentials sometimes make a clicking noise when
> cornering; some find this objectionable.

Todd
'88 Westy

Fitz-Randolph, Douglas wrote:

>Hi all. I have a few comments about this.
>
>First, about the benefits of a locking rear diff on a 2WD Vanagon... During
>one winter I had the driveshaft out of my syncro, effectively making it a
>2WD Vanagon. The locking rear differential made a huge difference, both in
>overall ability to keep going straight while driving slowly on snow-covered
>roads, and in not getting stuck trying to make it up the un-shoveled
>driveway after a daytime snowfall. The difference was like night and day.
>I'd have to say that from my personal on-road snow experience, having a
>locking diff on a 2WD van would be a nice addition. Mud / off-road? Maybe a
>different story, but having the ability to have power at 2 wheels would
>logically seem to be better than having it at just one. In fact, check the
>link in the next section - they've got a neat illustration of how having 2WD
>and a locking diff can be superior in certain situations to having 4WD and
>no locking diff.
>
>Second, about the Lockright diff locker offered by Desert Rat... this is
>different than the stock syncro diff lock - it is not manually engaged and
>disengaged. It's similar to "posi-traction" (though they say it is far
>superior to that), meaning if one wheel slips, the diff will lock to provide
>power to both wheels. I've never owned a vehicle with Lockright or
>posi-traction, so I can't comment on its effectiveness in any situation. I
>also cannot offer any information on what effect it would have on tire wear,
>etc. To see what Lockright says about it - which I think is quite
>interesting, go to http://www.lockright.com/ . I will add this, though... it
>might be a solution to the problem of what to do about locking diffs on an
>I4 diesel conversion where, correct me if I am wrong, the starter - or
>something - interferes with the operation of the stock rear diff lock. Just
>a thought.
>
>Cheers,
>Doug Fitz-Randolph
>Freeport, ME
>
>
>Original Message
>------------------------------------------------------------
>Date:    Tue, 16 Jul 2002 11:21:55 -0700
>From:    Michael Ramer <elvisramer@COX.NET>
>Subject: Re: Locking differential
>
>As for the 2WD vans and locking differentials, I believe it was decided that
>due to the Vanagons' near 50/50 weight distribution, that a rear locker
>would not really be very benefiical. I tend to agree, but my particular
>offroad experiences in a 2WD Westy is all I have to draw on though. Anyone
>have one installed on [any] 2WD Vanagon?
>Now if a diff locker were available for my '72 Bus, I might be ineterested,
>as I believe it to be better setup for such beatings. I am talking dirt vs.
>snow though. Hmmm.
>Mike
>----- Original Message -----
>From: "Ben McCafferty" <ben@KBMC.NET>
>To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
>Sent: Monday, July 15, 2002 9:07 PM
>Subject: Re: Locking differential
>
>
>
>
>>It was an option on syncros, and German Transaxles in Bend, OR, will also
>>install a front diff lock on the syncro for about $500.  I believe some
>>
>>
>have
>
>
>>put a syncro tranny with locker into a 2WD vanagon with good results.
>>bmc  :)
>>"Faith will move mountains, but you'd better bring a shovel...."
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>>From: "Nemo, the Bus Captain" <nemobuscaptain@YAHOO.COM>
>>>Reply-To: "Nemo, the Bus Captain" <nemobuscaptain@YAHOO.COM>
>>>Date: Mon, 15 Jul 2002 20:57:46 -0700
>>>To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
>>>Subject: Locking differential
>>>
>>>I remember Lilly saying he had this on his
>>>vanagon, but I've never seen them advertised
>>>before.  Just the trick for you beach or snow
>>>guys?  (Or not?)
>>>
>>>http://www.desertrat.com/lockright/lockright.htm
>>>
>>>=====
>>>Peace and blessings,
>>>Nemo, the Bus Captain
>>>
>>>74 Westy For Sale:  http://www.geocities.com/nemobuscaptain/index.html
>>>
>>>__________________________________________________
>>>Do You Yahoo!?
>>>Yahoo! Autos - Get free new car price quotes
>>>http://autos.yahoo.com
>>>
>>>
>>>
>
>
>