Center diff lock vs e locker

imryannn

imryannn

New member
Whats the difference? How does the center diff work...
I'm buying a 2001, which would mean its the center diff lock, correct?
I had the e locker in my 99...
 
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Thanks, I thought I remembered reading this somewhere just didn't remember where it was..

Another few questions...1. With the center diff, when it's engaged, Are all four tires having to move in one solid motion or is it just the drive shafts and each axle still has a free wheel? (if that makes sense? Hard to explain) 2. If I did just want the e locker, is it possible to swap them or can I just put an e locker in and just use that and not touch my center diff control?

I'm just trying to better understand the capabilities and which one I would be better off using!

Thanks!
 
imryannn said:
Another few questions...1. With the center diff, when it's engaged, Are all four tires having to move in one solid motion or is it just the drive shafts and each axle still has a free wheel? (if that makes sense? Hard to explain) 2. If I did just want the e locker, is it possible to swap them or can I just put an e locker in and just use that and not touch my center diff control?
Click to expand...

Nope- the center diff lock just ties the front and rear drivelines together and makes your truck behave like a traditional part-time 4wd. Your front and rear differentials will still be open.

You can put any kind of locker you want in the front and rear diffs, tho I'd stay away from an automatic in the front.
 
What do you mean "makes it behave like a traditional part time 4wd"?!
Are you saying 2001s are somewhat all wheel drive? Sorry if that's a dumb question, I'm kinda confused now! Lol now you got me worried/thinking cause I'm going to go buy a 2001 limited tomorrow!

Thanks for the quick responses!
 
imryannn said:
What do you mean "makes it behave like a traditional part time 4wd"?!
Are you saying 2001s are somewhat all wheel drive?
Click to expand...

Well, kinda. It's not AWD, but full-time 4wd. You understand how your axle differentials work? The center differential does the same thing in a full-time 4wd rig, letting the drivelines rotate at different speeds. This prevents driveline bindup and lets you stay in 4wd all the time, awesome for slippery pavement or light wheeling. The drawback is when you hit a really low traction situation(mud, wheels in the air, etc), you can spin just one wheel and theoretically lose all power to the other three. Part-time 4wd doesn't have that problem, if a wheel on one axle spins it has no effect on the wheels on the other axle, which can still power you through. But you can't use part-time 4wd on pavement, or you'll break something.

Having a locking center diff gives you the best of both worlds. Full time 4wd for everyday driving, and part-time 4wd only when you want it.
 
KidVermicious said:
Well, kinda. It's not AWD, but full-time 4wd. You understand how your axle differentials work? The center differential does the same thing in a full-time 4wd rig, letting the drivelines rotate at different speeds. This prevents driveline bindup and lets you stay in 4wd all the time, awesome for slippery pavement or light wheeling. The drawback is when you hit a really low traction situation(mud, wheels in the air, etc), you can spin just one wheel and theoretically lose all power to the other three. Part-time 4wd doesn't have that problem, if a wheel on one axle spins it has no effect on the wheels on the other axle, which can still power you through. But you can't use part-time 4wd on pavement, or you'll break something.

Having a locking center diff gives you the best of both worlds. Full time 4wd for everyday driving, and part-time 4wd only when you want it.
Click to expand...

So like you said, in mud or your wheels in the air, if you have an e locker or some sort of front or rear locker, that would solve that problem correct?
And like you were saying about having it be full time 4wd, does that mean it can't be put it 2wd when just daily drivin it?
And since the 2001 is like this, how would you explain how a 1999 works in similar words...
 
imryannn said:
So like you said, in mud or your wheels in the air, if you have an e locker or some sort of front or rear locker, that would solve that problem correct?
And like you were saying about having it be full time 4wd, does that mean it can't be put it 2wd when just daily drivin it?
And since the 2001 is like this, how would you explain how a 1999 works in similar words...
Click to expand...

How ****ing complicated is it to understand this. A 2001 4runner is the same as a 99 limited without the electronic locking rear diff option. :bash:
 
OP,

Read the link I posted. It is simple to understand even if you are a lib arts major.

See the above guide. If you still don't get it then go to google howstuffworks and differentials. They have great videos that explain 4wd and more.
 
I spent about an hour yesterday editing, expanding and exlaining both types of lockers in the buyers guide. By your continued questions i can tell you havnt read it. Go read it..
 
Last edited:
4-Ripcord said:
I spent about an hour yesterday editing, expanding and exlaining both types of lockers in the buyers guide. By your continued questions i can tell you havnt read it. Go read it..
Click to expand...

I did read it, still confusing me on HOW to use it. Thanks for taking the time to make/edit the guide and sorry for the repetitive questions!
 
Center diff lock vs e locker

is like comparing

Winch bumper vs Slider Rails.

Their both nice to have but have nothing to do with one another.
 
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