[Sworkscrux]

Hey guys and girls I own a 2003 4runner and am having a ARB rear locker installed . Being new to wheeling I am curious when I have the Locker engauged do I still use the centre locking dif button ?
To some of you this may sound pretty silly. But we all start somewhere .
Thanks for your time.

[Fern]

Depends on the terrain and what you are trying to do.
Yes for crawling, no on a dirt road when you want to get sideways.

[Sworkscrux]

I guess what I am wondering ? Will I still have three wheels under power even with the centre lock button not pressed? and just the rear locker pressed? pressed?

[Inv4drZm]

Originally Posted by Sworkscrux

I guess what I am wondering ? Will I still have three wheels under power even with the centre lock button not pressed? and just the rear locker pressed? pressed?

Without the center diff lock pressed all the power could still be transferred to the front wheels, so in order to use the rear diff lock to it's fullest, in my opinion, you would need to lock the center diff. You should use the center diff lock well before you need the rear diff lock. General trail cruising the center should be locked, when approaching a ledge or hill climb, hit the rear locker too.

[Mike07SE]

Rule of thumb for order of engagement should be center, rear, and front (if equipped).

Sent from my Pixel 2 using Tapatalk

[alia176]

You're a newbie so here's a tid bit for you to ponder. The ARB locker should be locked ONLY when you need it. In another words, get into a situation, engage the locker, get out and then disengage. However, I'd practice learning your new wheeling hobby w/o the use of the rear locker for a while. Learn to read the terrain, get a feel for where all the four wheels are at all times, learn to trust your spotter, learn how tire pressure affects traction, practice double foot driving (auto transmission), learn where your engine's power band is, etc.

[techno]

Originally Posted by alia176

... The ARB locker should be locked ONLY when you need it. In another words, get into a situation, engage the locker, get out and then disengage. ....

Sort of, with experience you will also learn when to engage the rear locker first, to prevent you getting into trouble.

Sometimes you get a false sense of security too, and end up tackling terrain beyond your limits, haha.

[alia176]

Originally Posted by techno

Sometimes you get a false sense of security too, and end up tackling terrain beyond your limits, haha.

So true.....

[Bumbo]

@techno Very much agree

I have a friend which has a good deal more wheeling experience than me, and when we talked about lockers he gave me similar advice.

Having lockers can literally get you in a lot more trouble, than someone without.

I think it’s a tool I would use to get myself out of a situation, vs using it to help put me into that situation with it in the first place.

I’ve also had the same thoughts about 4WD… most of the time these days, I actually drive around in 2WD, and use 4WD to get me out of trouble. It does limit the amount of crazy I can venture into, but also gives me a little insurance regarding a get-home policy. I would treat lockers in the same light.

[Inv4drZm]

But with a rear locker you sometimes have more control. No need for tire spin or 'bumping' obstacles, just lock it and crawl slowly up. ATRAC is good but sometimes way too slow.

[Bumbo]

Originally Posted by Inv4drZm

But with a rear locker you sometimes have more control. No need for tire spin or 'bumping' obstacles, just lock it and crawl slowly up. ATRAC is good but sometimes way too slow.

[category_theory]

So I’m not sure where to ask this (and I can’t start a new thread yet) so I’ll ask here. I have an odd and apparently rare v8 2004 4wd runner in that it does not have a center locking diff. Given all that I’ve read is it smarter to try and find a center locking diff and swap it out OR just get a rear locking diff and bypass the center locker? Sorry if this is silly.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[JpAdct]

Originally Posted by category_theory

So I’m not sure where to ask this (and I can’t start a new thread yet) so I’ll ask here. I have an odd and apparently rare v8 2004 4wd runner in that it does not have a center locking diff. Given all that I’ve read is it smarter to try and find a center locking diff and swap it out OR just get a rear locking diff and bypass the center locker? Sorry if this is silly.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Keep in mind, the center diff lock just locks the front and rear axles into the same rotation/power to ground sequence. This is not the same as an axle locker, two completely different functions and uses.

I’ve never heard of this type of V8 4Runner, but you’d be fine as is, unless you plan to off road in some more wicked environments to where you’d need both rear wheels pulling together.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Inv4drZm]

Originally Posted by category_theory

So I’m not sure where to ask this (and I can’t start a new thread yet) so I’ll ask here. I have an odd and apparently rare v8 2004 4wd runner in that it does not have a center locking diff. Given all that I’ve read is it smarter to try and find a center locking diff and swap it out OR just get a rear locking diff and bypass the center locker? Sorry if this is silly.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

You don't have this button anywhere? That can't be a factory setup that I know of.

[OC2003]

Thought all 4wd had center diff lock