Center Diff Lock - Won't Engage

[SwampDiamond2RZ]

did you buy your rig with the intention of buying a 4x4 and it's 2wd? thats pretty heavy dude. i have heard good things about the 2x4 and in TX you might be okay anyway?

I knew it was 2WD when i bought it. As i did more research on the truck i saw that Toyota offered AWD as an option.. i was unaware of that until recently. I was just trying to figure out if mine was. Regardless it does well on every path i've taken it.. I'm in love with the thing. I go to the beach most often and i wonder if installing lockers on the front or back would be an option

 

[Bumbo]

I knew it was 2WD when i bought it. As i did more research on the truck i saw that Toyota offered AWD as an option.. i was unaware of that until recently. I was just trying to figure out if mine was. Regardless it does well on every path i've taken it.. I'm in love with the thing. I go to the beach most often and i wonder if installing lockers on the front or back would be an option

Unfortunately you can't install lockers on the front. They are generally installed inside a front differential, which you don’t have because you don't have a 4x4.

None of this actually requires any research other than literally bending over and looking to see if you have CV axles on the front wheels or a front differential housing.

Unlike looking for a knob or interior selector, this isn’t a unique attribute of a AWD / 4WD car or truck. You either have front drive line or you don’t. This may help you in the future when shopping for cars or trucks.

That said, you can in fact install a rear locker, and it’s a very worthwhile purchase if you off-road a lot and find yourself in a loss of traction, as in a rear tire leaving the ground or coming very close to it.

If you spend a good deal of time on-road too, you most likely would not want a pure mechanical locker like a lunchbox. You would most likely want to spend the extra coin on a selectable locker from ARB or anyone else who makes a selectable e-locker if possible.

 

[RBLACAUSA]

Noticed my center diff lock wasn't locking today...no CDL light on the dash...nothing.
The Google brought me here.
I unloosened bolts and used a mallet.
Nothing.
I cried at the thought of having to spend $2,500 to replace.

Then I popped the cover of the fuse compartment and fingered the CDL dash button switch right above the fuse compartment lid.
It popped right out...with no harness clipped on to it! :mad2:

Those freakin' Repair Monkeys at my local Toyota Stealership must've done that a couple yrs ago when I had my dash replaced under warranty.

So...be sure to make sure your dash button switch is plugged in to the harness first, especially if you've had anyone tinker with your dash or do any dash panel R&R.

 

[SadPanda]

Once again seeking the wisdom of the crowds here .

06 V8 Sport. Exercise the 4hi/Lo & center diff monthly. Just got done moving and towing a uhaul and now the center diff only partially engages. 4hi/lo still works. I towed in 4th gear exclusively so wondering if this has something to do with locking up the torque converter? Any insight would be awesome! Thanks all!

 

[oliviabrandon361]

first I'd try taking a 12mm wrench and slightly loosen the Qty-3 actuator bolts just enough to jiggle the actuator a bit then re-tighten.

Sometimes the actuator rod gets gummed up from lack of use.

This worked when i had similar problem...Almost had to visit for repairs but it worked after the retightened.

 

[Mudtoy]

The issue from what I have seen from the one and only one I got to tear apart was that some sort of crusty/rusty/gunky crap forms in between the plastic gear and shaft that actuates the CDL and/or 4WD from lack of use and age (not sure what kind of grease they use, but it looks like it might have been a white lithium based one?) That gunk becomes pretty hard/sticky and is enough to keep the gear from turning, the big issue is that the there isn't a whole lot you can do besides tapping/wiggling the actuator because no one as far I know has been able to successfully time the actuator after taking it apart.

That being said it probably wouldn't hurt to get some good lube in the transfercase in case the shift rods/sleeves get a little gunky as well, but that usually isn't the case.

I actually came here looking for the information to time or "clock" the actuator. There doesn't seem to be that many parts in there but certainly needs to be done correctly. There are some guys on YouTube pulling them off on the vehicle and slamming them back on and claiming it still works, this sounds insane! I know they are wrecking the seals if not the entire mechanism.

I'm tempted to buy one just to disassemble and document.

 

[JD914]

Reviving an old thread once again. 2004 Limited V8 awd.
After a trip to the Grand Canyon, I noticed my center differential actuator breather tube hanging from the truck. It’s still attached on the actuator end, but just dangling on the other. Where does this exactly plug back onto? Is there suppose to be breather valve attached? Having a hard time finding a parts diagram for this.
Thanks a lot!