Toyota - 4Runner . org Forum - View Single Post - '01-up 4wd System (A-TRAC, VSC) and TORSEN T-3

Thai · 02-27-2003, 09:52 PM

Why do you need to lock the center differential (CDL):

1: ATRAC requires a certain minimal wheel rotation speed to work. If you are moving very slowly, it won't do much. Backing slowly down a steep hill is one scenario where ATRAC does not work well.

2: If you have an electrical failure that takes out the system, or take a stick in a wheel sensor harness, you are stuck. With a CDL you can regain much of the lost traction.

3: If you break a driveshaft U joint, you are stuck - your rig will go nowhere under its own power. With CDL you can lock the center diff, remove the offending shaft, and attempt to drive out of the woods.

4: If you want to add limited slip or locking diffs in the axles for improved low speed traction (see #1) then they won't be effective without a CDL.

5: ATRAC is hard on the brakes and the differential spider gears. A CDL helps by reducing the workload on the ATRAC.

02-27-2003, 09:52 PM	#13 (permalink)
Thai Snowflake, Guns, & Texas! Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Texas Posts: 11,905	Why do you need to lock the center differential (CDL): 1: ATRAC requires a certain minimal wheel rotation speed to work. If you are moving very slowly, it won't do much. Backing slowly down a steep hill is one scenario where ATRAC does not work well. 2: If you have an electrical failure that takes out the system, or take a stick in a wheel sensor harness, you are stuck. With a CDL you can regain much of the lost traction. 3: If you break a driveshaft U joint, you are stuck - your rig will go nowhere under its own power. With CDL you can lock the center diff, remove the offending shaft, and attempt to drive out of the woods. 4: If you want to add limited slip or locking diffs in the axles for improved low speed traction (see #1) then they won't be effective without a CDL. 5: ATRAC is hard on the brakes and the differential spider gears. A CDL helps by reducing the workload on the ATRAC. __________________ 2010 Toyota Prius V with ATP (daily driver) 2008 Toyota Sienna Salsa Red Pearl 2wd Limited (urban family "land cruiser") 2009 Acura TSX Palladium (wife's car) Off-roading Videos of My G I AM FAMOUS!! "Everyday is Halloween on the Internet"