P500 Factory Front Diff Lock

[Jbratt78]

This may be a dumb question but has anyone looked into the viability of using the front diff lock parts from a 700 front end on the 520? They use the same carrier, just different ring and pinion gears. It looks like from the diagrams that the right side case section that houses the differential locking mechanism should bolt right up to the 520 center case. They utilize the exact same seal, bolts (quantity and size), gaskets, and bearings. Is this just wishful thinking or could this be a relatively easy way to have a selectable locking front diff? It would obviously require a custom length axle shaft on the right side but still.

 

[trigger]

The Torq Locker took all the guess work out of it. $500 and an afternoon.

 

[Jbratt78]

The Torq Locker took all the guess work out of it. $500 and an afternoon.

That's one of the first things I looked at when I joined and started going down the rabbit hole of threads on various upgrades. This is my first sxs, I have lots of experience with Jeeps and other 4x4s and I had a lunchbox locker in the front of a K5 Blazer for all of 5 minutes before I swapped it out for an Eaton Elocker. The constant ratcheting action felt like it was trying to eat itself and was just generally all around annoying. I am leery of spending the $500 and half a day install on something that I am not 100% sure is going to get the job done. I would want to ride in one to experience it first hand before making the decision. Plus I like the added flexibilty of have selectable 2/4/4 lock capabilty.

 

[Smitty335]

That's one of the first things I looked at when I joined and started going down the rabbit hole of threads on various upgrades. This is my first sxs, I have lots of experience with Jeeps and other 4x4s and I had a lunchbox locker in the front of a K5 Blazer for all of 5 minutes before I swapped it out for an Eaton Elocker. The constant ratcheting action felt like it was trying to eat itself and was just generally all around annoying. I am leery of spending the $500 and half a day install on something that I am not 100% sure is going to get the job done. I would want to ride in one to experience it first hand before making the decision. Plus I like the added flexibilty of have selectable 2/4/4 lock capabilty.

I was unpleasantly surprised the I4wd didn't have the lock, 2wd and turf modes in the Talon's LE's and SE's. Now the crazy trail riders are installing lockers and still don't have turf mode. Honda?

 

[trigger]

That's one of the first things I looked at when I joined and started going down the rabbit hole of threads on various upgrades. This is my first sxs, I have lots of experience with Jeeps and other 4x4s and I had a lunchbox locker in the front of a K5 Blazer for all of 5 minutes before I swapped it out for an Eaton Elocker. The constant ratcheting action felt like it was trying to eat itself and was just generally all around annoying. I am leery of spending the $500 and half a day install on something that I am not 100% sure is going to get the job done. I would want to ride in one to experience it first hand before making the decision. Plus I like the added flexibilty of have selectable 2/4/4 lock capabilty.

This one doesn't seem to be too bad. You have to be listening for it to hear it ratchet really.

 

[Smitty335]

This one doesn't seem to be too bad. You have to be listening for it to hear it ratchet really.

I've heard nothing but good about the lockers.

 

[Jbratt78]

This one doesn't seem to be too bad. You have to be listening for it to hear it ratchet really.

I was driving in a straight line on a sandy creek beach in the K5 and it felt like I was going to break something in the front end. All the popping and grabbing made it almost undriveable. Could have been just a bad application since I was running 35s and most lunchbox lockers top out at about 33s. Either way I am going to have to find some way to lock up the front end on the 520 because there is a mountain we climb in Arkansas that requires 4 lock to get up. 3 wheel action ain't gonna get it and I would hate to have to leave the Honda at the bottom and ride up in my dad's mule. That would just be embarrassing.

 

[Smitty335]

I was driving in a straight line on a sandy creek beach in the K5 and it felt like I was going to break something in the front end. All the popping and grabbing made it almost undriveable. Could have been just a bad application since I was running 35s and most lunchbox lockers top out at about 33s. Either way I am going to have to find some way to lock up the front end on the 520 because there is a mountain we climb in Arkansas that requires 4 lock to get up. 3 wheel action ain't gonna get it and I would hate to have to leave the Honda at the bottom and ride up in my dad's mule. That would just be embarrassing.

If there were any issues with the lockers you would hear it here loud and clear. The guy's here put products to the test. Where's the mountain? Sounds like where I ride.

 

[Jbratt78]

If there were any issues with the lockers you would hear it here loud and clear. The guy's here put products to the test. Where's the mountain? Sounds like where I ride.

Good to know, but in cases like this, consider me from MO, your gonna have to Show Me before I believe. A friend of ours owns 2k acres on the South Fork of the Caddo river just outside of Glenwood, AR. The mountain we climb is the only spot on the property that has cell reception and there is only 1 way up and 1 way down and the last 150ft is damn near straight up!

 

[Smitty335]

Good to know, but in cases like this, consider me from MO, your gonna have to Show Me before I believe. A friend of ours owns 2k acres on the South Fork of the Caddo river just outside of Glenwood, AR. The mountain we climb is the only spot on the property that has cell reception and there is only 1 way up and 1 way down and the last 150ft is damn near straight up!

Sounds beautiful. You haven't been around the club very long and haven't seen how fast the news of product failures get around here. I have called my dealer several times about a Honda recall, usually something knit picky to schedule for repair and they were dumb founded, they hadn't been notified about the recall from Honda yet, that I learned it from this Club. You'll get comfortable with the advice when you've been around a while. Happy Trails!

 

[Jbratt78]

Sounds beautiful. You haven't been around the club very long and haven't seen how fast the news of product failures get around here. I have called my dealer several times about a Honda recall, usually something knit picky to schedule for repair and they were dumb founded, they hadn't been notified about the recall from Honda yet, that I learned it from this Club. You'll get comfortable with the advice when you've been around a while. Happy Trails!

I am definitely a newbie. I am in the process right now of ordering wheels and tires and if it weren't for all the folks on here sharing measurements and advice I would probably be curled up in the corner in the fetal position mumbling about offsets. From what I can tell so far, if Trigger says it, it's gospel. Good Talkin with ya.

 

[futzin]

The torq locker is money. Excellent company. Works perfectly. I rarely hear mine. Climbs anything I'm brave enough to attempt.

 

[crewcabrob]

From what I can tell so far, if Trigger says it, it's gospel. .

I pretty much found this to be true. I would say he has tried a lot of things on the P500 platform and knows what works and what doesn't. There are also a lot of other good builds to watch and learn from. The guys that have been around the longest have likely witnessed it all either from the trail or from watching us newbies screw up...

I'm buying my locker, power steering and skid plate today. Will make for a fun weekend project soon.

Rob

 

[Jbratt78]

I pretty much found this to be true. I would say he has tried a lot of things on the P500 platform and knows what works and what doesn't. There are also a lot of other good builds to watch and learn from. The guys that have been around the longest have likely witnessed it all either from the trail or from watching us newbies screw up...

I'm buying my locker, power steering and skid plate today. Will make for a fun weekend project soon.

Rob

What power steering setup did you get? That is definitely on my list of upgrades as well.

 

[crewcabrob]

I've read most of the threads on the PS unit for the 500s, it appears that everyone is just rebranding (stickers) the same hardware. I'm not sure it really matters which one you get as long as you have support afterwards. For that reason alone, I'm getting mine from SuperATV. I feel like we have good vendors that support the Hondas we have, and I want to support them so they can make more cool stuff for us.

Rob

 

[CID]

I've read most of the threads on the PS unit for the 500s, it appears that everyone is just rebranding (stickers) the same hardware. I'm not sure it really matters which one you get as long as you have support afterwards. For that reason alone, I'm getting mine from SuperATV. I feel like we have good vendors that support the Hondas we have, and I want to support them so they can make more cool stuff for us.

Rob

This is why I don't shop strictly by price, I want to support those who support us. If I don't buy what they make at a fair price to pay their wages and they don't buy what I make at a fair price to pay my wages, we're both unemployed. Stop buying chinese crap when possible.

 

[trigger]

Ed Zachary! I bought the EZ Steer from SATV. At the time I think I paid $50 more going that route but their customer service is excellent.

 

[Mudder]

EZ Steer and locker, no complaints since, thinking 2017 with the first batch of TQL. I don’t notice any clicking unless U turns on the concrete.

 

[Jbratt78]

Thanks for everyones input so far. I found a complete right side case from a 700 on ebay for about $75. I'm gonna buy it and wait to find a junked 500 box to tinker with and test my theory before I give up completely. In the meantime I will most likely be ordering a TQL and a powersteering setup to cover my bases. Probably the powersteering unit first since I just ordered 27" terrabites last night and I have a feeling I'm gonna need the assistance.

 

[crewcabrob]

Well, I spent my money this weekend.

Skid plates
Torq locker
Power Steering

While I have the P520 torn apart, I'm also installing the following
turn signal, horn and trailer kit
PIAA LED driving light
Some additional sound insulation

I'm down to only three things on my wish list:
Elka shocks
2" reciever hitch
radios

Rob