Polaris ranger... locking the diff in awd mode?

[Dirtman]

Didnt know where else to post this.

I got a 2008 polaris ranger 400HO recently. It has 3 drive modes. 2wd, 2wd with the rear diff locked, and all wheel drive with the rear diff unlocked.

All modes are on the same switch so there's no option to engage all wheel drive and keep the rear diff locked, making all wheel drive basically useless.

I took the switch apart and I can physically re wire it to engage both the diff lock and all wheel drive, but my question is, would this damage or hurt the transmission? It's the goofy cvt system so who the hell knows how that sorcery works...

 

[Snoranger]

That doesn't sound right.
In turf mode it should active a solenoid that releases diff lock.
In 2wd or Awd, that solenoid shouldn't do anything and leave the rear locked.
The rear should also be locked anytime you apply the parking brake... no matter what drive you have selected.

No, awd diff lock won't hurt the belt drive.

Want to talk about sorcery, let's talk about the Hilliard front hubs. With their override clutch that only activates after the rear wheels slip about a 1/4 turn.


You bringing that thing out riding this weekend? I'll be out at AOAA in Coal twnshp PA Saturday and Sunday.

 

[rusty ol ranger]

Polaris's awd is an amazing system when working properly.

If you engage 4wd it should keep it in 2 wd untill the wheels spin, then the front kicks in.

Unless the ranger is different from my sportsman your back end should always be locked.

 

[Curious Hound]

your back end should always be locked.

That's what I prefer.

 

[Dirtman]

On mine the diff is always open until you move the switch from "2wd" to "2wd lock" then if you move the switch to the third position "awd" the diff unlocks again. I know for sure the diff unlocks because I get the damn thing stuck all the time and "2wd lock" is the only mode that ever helps. 2wd and awd are both one wheel peel.

 

[rusty ol ranger]

On mine the diff is always open until you move the switch from "2wd" to "2wd lock" then if you move the switch to the third position "awd" the diff unlocks again. I know for sure the diff unlocks because I get the damn thing stuck all the time and "2wd lock" is the only mode that ever helps. 2wd and awd are both one wheel peel.

Ill be damned. In awd will it power both front tires? Or is that open to?

 

[Dirtman]

Front diff is open too. Stuck in the mud in AWD I get one front tire and one rear tire spinning. I get the fact that this thing is more utility than a real offroad toy but it's just awful in any wet terrain unless the rear diff is locked. Im gonna re-wire it with 2 switches, one to lock the diff and one to turn awd off or on.