DRVNGENTHUSIAST
New member
So when and why would I ever use the center diff disable button
Looking for personal experiences and how much it helped also
Thanks
Looking for personal experiences and how much it helped also
Thanks
Center diff
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wnelax04sr5
New member
So when and why would I ever use the center diff disable button
Looking for personal experiences and how much it helped also
Thanks
center diff lock and vsc disable? i use it only when the traction control interferes so much that i have to have it off just to not get stuck
Martinjmpr
New member
I primarily use it off road. Basically, at the point where I would have put a "conventional" 4wd vehicle into 4wd (normally at the trailhead), that's where I lock the center diff (since that basically turns it from a full time 4wd to a conventional part-time 4wd vehicle.)
Only time I've ever used it on the road is in deep snow where the traction control kept coming on.
Only time I've ever used it on the road is in deep snow where the traction control kept coming on.
JB.
New member
Be careful what you ask for.
But basically what's been said already.
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-g...pavement-center-diff-lock-vsc-off-switch.html
Adumb
New member
This is one of my favorite features of the truck.
I know around here you'll have one road that's clear of snow then another that is still covered. Especially when I get out of work at 5 in the morning. Without the center diff unlocked you'd want to switch to 2wd on bare roads and back to 4wd on snow covered roads. I drive in 4wd all winter thanks to that switch!
I know around here you'll have one road that's clear of snow then another that is still covered. Especially when I get out of work at 5 in the morning. Without the center diff unlocked you'd want to switch to 2wd on bare roads and back to 4wd on snow covered roads. I drive in 4wd all winter thanks to that switch!
03_4x4Runner
Senior Member
This is why 4runners are a dying breed. They have more off road features than most people will ever use. If you went off road you would know and love this feature. To the average 4runner owner it is a feature they do not understand of ever need. They would probably be better of with a Highlander.
Robs08Runner
New member
Very enjoyable on snow covered hills. Lol
Johnny4runner
New member
If you are wondering what the center diff lock is for don't worry about it, you are not missing anything--even on dirt roads. In most civilized conditions your 4Runner will drive better with the center diff lock off.
It starts becoming very useful when traction is an issue, on rough roads and in deep snow.
It starts becoming very useful when traction is an issue, on rough roads and in deep snow.
Really? Maybe I'm way off base but I don't see it that way.
2WD mode (V6 model only), 4Hi CDL and 4lo CDL modes are basically like any other standard 4x4. The only additional modes are...
1. 4hi CD Unlocked. Basically AWD (standard mode on the V8 models). This is not an "off road" feature. Its meant for better on-road performance.
2. 4Lo CD Unlocked. Honestly, I have no idea what purpose this mode is for or why you would ever select it over either 4Hi CDL or 4Lo CDL?
Honestly, I'm not that impressed with Toyota's AWD (4Hi CD unlocked). My '99 Chevy Silverado has their "Auto 4WD" mode and between the 2, I like Chevy's system better.
In Toyota's "AWD" mode, power is always being sent to both the front and rear axles and when slippage is detected, it sends more power to the wheel that is slipping. That doesn't make any sense to me (more power to the wheel that is spinning often just causes more spin)?
In Chevy's "Auto 4WD" mode, the front drive shaft is engaged but no power is sent to the front unless slippage is detected in the rear. Not only does that make more sense (to me anyway) but In my first hand experience, Chevy's "Auto 4WD" works better then Toyota "AWD"... at least in the snow anyway (haven't tried the Toyota in mud yet).
OK, explain to me why this feature is so great? If you are saying that the 4 runner features are so great then you will never need this because you have traction control. Traction control can't work when the center diff is locked because it requires open differentials so that it can use braking to control the delivery of power. You may want to understand how differentials work.
03_4x4Runner
Senior Member
In response to the above post I will give several examples. I live in the Arizona desert and off road the 4runner a lot. If you are in deep sand and do not lock the center diff you are going no where. The more you hit the gas to get tire speed up the traction control kicks in and tries to bring you to a stop. Lock the center dif and you can get the tire speed up and go right threw. Most of the time my center dif is not locked. It lets you turn without the binding you get when locked. A good example of lo range center dif not locked is pulling a boat out of the water on a steep slippery ramp. Unlocked you can pull the boat out and make turns without all the binding with it locked on dry pavement. I am just saying most people do not go off road and learn to use these features. I do not know what I would use in snow as we never get any here. The one feature I can say I seldom use is hi range locked. I had a older friend that bought a 4runner and when he went off road with use all the options (locked, not locked, hi range, lo range, side air bags off) confused him. At the end of the day he had me look at his dash lights to make sure everything was set right to go back on the highway. He came from a Jeep Wrangler where the only option was 2wd, 4wd, and lo.
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JB.
New member
This speaks to [MENTION=336]03_4x4Runner[/MENTION]'s point perfectly. It's not a feature that can be appreciated unless put to use -- which means most people don't appreciate it.
Off-pavement, it's hard to resist easy and precise steering when it's available at the push of a button, which may sound like mostly a luxury but it does have it's practical uses for better obstacle avoidance, less front tire wear, and presumably longer life on certain drive train and steering components. Additionally, fragile surfaces aren't always avoidable. Turning around on them with the diff locked is much harder on them. Sure, you can shift to high range to turn around but (A) why should you have to, and (B) you may need the low speed control.
It doesn't make any sense because you've got it backwards. The power is sent to the wheel with more traction.
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JB.
New member
Explain to me why you have nearly 900 posts since 2003, yet ask such a confused question.
You don't own a 4th gen do you. Do you even own a 4Runner?
nevada
Senior Member
huh? the differentials are still open, and will still work the same.
just with the t-case locked, you get a consistent 50% power transfer, front and rear.
matthewpstro
New member
I completely agree with this. I feel like the more people who get the 4runner for the wrong reason, the more wrong choices toyota does with the design.
DRVNGENTHUSIAST
New member
Hey I love the idea of the features they equip these vehicles with!
I'm not a hardcore off-road buff. Like I mentioned my hobby derives from sports cars and hitting the paved tracks! BUT ever since my first vehicle that wasn't a car, mind you this was a 98 4runnerSR5! I have LOVED the 4runner for it's off the showroom floor off-road capabilities and it's distinguished reliability!
I live in Northern Michigan and I love adventuring off the paved roads with them! So I will test this center diff feature myself sometime
I read the whole owners manual to update myself a little
This 4th gen is the best investment! The Sport Edition is amazing
I'm not a hardcore off-road buff. Like I mentioned my hobby derives from sports cars and hitting the paved tracks! BUT ever since my first vehicle that wasn't a car, mind you this was a 98 4runnerSR5! I have LOVED the 4runner for it's off the showroom floor off-road capabilities and it's distinguished reliability!
I live in Northern Michigan and I love adventuring off the paved roads with them! So I will test this center diff feature myself sometime
I read the whole owners manual to update myself a little
This 4th gen is the best investment! The Sport Edition is amazing
The t-case isn't locked, it is a differential that is locked except instead delivering torque to the respective corner, it delivers power front or rear differential. In a traditional transfer case power is either delivered to one axle or both. This model delivers to both all the time, but has a differential when open to split it front and rear first then left and right. This is what allows the traction control (in theory) to work.
Welcome to Land Cruiser Owners On Line
this is article helped me a lot to understand center differentials. Once you understand this, then read up on Toyota's ATRAC. Once you understand Center Diff lock and ATrac then that is the gist of it.
Correct me if I am wrong but ATrac is similar to limited slip differential but for ATRACT, brakes are applied to the side of the wheel that is spinning so it slows it down so the other wheel can gain traction.
this is article helped me a lot to understand center differentials. Once you understand this, then read up on Toyota's ATRAC. Once you understand Center Diff lock and ATrac then that is the gist of it.
Correct me if I am wrong but ATrac is similar to limited slip differential but for ATRACT, brakes are applied to the side of the wheel that is spinning so it slows it down so the other wheel can gain traction.
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