P500 P500 front diff trick

ncred02

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I tried this yesterday on some steep climbs over some rocky terrain and it actually worked.

 
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ncred02

ncred02

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I saw this video a few weeks ago. Then yesterday we were slipping with the rear tires and the front pass side. I put slight pressure on the brake and the drivers front grabbed and over the rock I went.
 
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jak9922

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Nice i should have tried that last night highsided in a mud pit with pass tire in the air spinning
 
ncred02

ncred02

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I did a Youtube search and theres a few more videos on the subject.
 
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joeymt33

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We used to do the same thing with trucks. We would partially engage the parking brake for trucks with open rear differentials.
 
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Chance135

Chance135

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We used to do the same thing with trucks. We would partially engage the parking brake for trucks with open rear differentials.

Yep, I had an jeep cj7 years ago that I used to use this technique with. The rear had a Detroit locker but the front was open so a little feathering of the brake would turn the front end into somewhat of a limited slip. This thread is a nice refresher for off road driving techniques.
 
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jak9922

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I must have a heavy left foot lol funny thing i touch the brakes and the wheels and engine slow down lol on a wheeler it works cuz u can just squeeze the fronts but probably just on me
 
MaleRN28US

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I found this today for the foreman 500. I don't know if it would work for the Pioneer 500....

"Hello there gentlemen,after countless hours of trial and error I have finally figured out how to lock the front diff. without effecting the steering.There is no welding involved.If any of guys have ever been inside the diff. this will be easy for you.Once you take diff. apart take out your ring gear assembly.Take out all the bolts on the ring gear.Before you take it apart hold it together then flip it over.This will keep all the parts from falling out.Take the ring gear off and you should see the gear on top and two washers.If not, then it is stuck inside the ring gear because of the oil.It should pop out easy tho_One washer should be flat and the other is coned shaped.The reason it is coned shaped is because it is a spring.When the front diff. is under stain this washer flattens out and allows the gear to slip.What you do is go to your honda shop or go to CheapCycleParts.com - Cheap Cycle Parts and order another coned washer.The washer is called a side coned spring, part number 42461-HN5-671 for 10 bucks.Put the two coned washers together in the same direction not opposite of each other.Then just put the two coned washers and flat washer back in and then put your ring gear back on.Flip it over then put all your bolts back in.This added washer keeps the washers from flattening out and keeps both wheels spinning.You have not changed the function of the diff. so therefore it will continue to work as it should.Mine turns just like it should and pulls all 4 wheels when in 4wheel drive.I dont know if honda makes a locking diff. but I have not found one yet.Besides that im sure it cost a pretty penny.If you have any questions about this just reply and I will help you anyway I can Thanks......"
 
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IdahoPioneer

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If anyone tries this on the P500 please share your results. I don't exactly have time to go digging around in my front diff any time soon.
 
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MaleRN28US

MaleRN28US

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If anyone tries this on the P500 please share your results. I don't exactly have time to go digging around in my front diff any time soon.
I posted it in hopes of one of the more mechanically inclined members on here would take a look at their front differential. In all honesty, the open differential is the only thing keeping me from buying a 2015 with some of the great deals in my area.
 
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JACKAL

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I posted it in hopes of one of the more mechanically inclined members on here would take a look at their front differential. In all honesty, the open differential is the only thing keeping me from buying a 2015 with some of the great deals in my area.
I have had my P500 on some crazy hills 40% incline with rocks and clay during heavy rain it has not let me down. I did have to use my winch once on fail small incline with a rock ledge that a difflocker would have gotten me out of. Not sure why any of the aftermarket lockers for Ranchers would not work. Also I suspicion the P500 may be in for features upgrades for 2017 or 18. I have no proof of that though.
 
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MaleRN28US

MaleRN28US

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I have had my P500 on some crazy hills 40% incline with rocks and clay during heavy rain it has not let me down. I did have to use my winch once on fail small incline with a rock ledge that a difflocker would have gotten me out of. Not sure why any of the aftermarket lockers for Ranchers would not work. Also I suspicion the P500 may be in for features upgrades for 2017 or 18. I have no proof of that though.
Is there a service diagram for the front diff? It would show if the fix I posted would work.
 
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MaleRN28US

MaleRN28US

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Just in case anyone is interested....the front differential from a 700 shares many common parts with the differential from the 500. Looks like an additional case or two and some locking shafts, bearings, and small parts to turn the 500 diff into a locker. Or a front final drive assembly from a 700. Should be less than $1000 if you truly have to HAVE a locking front differential.
I am not saying everything with fit perfectly either but it looks like it will (same part numbers in common). The biggest hurdle would be how to engage the locking differential or just leave it locked.
 
sthomp54

sthomp54

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I wonder if this will fit? Its just a spool that permanently locks the front end. Its not for everybody as you will lose some steering ability in 4wd, but if you really need a locked front end it could be cheap option.

Honda Trax Lock Spool Locker
 
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