Locking center differential
- Thread starter kdmello
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Good Times
New member
i use it whenever possible on soft surface so the vsc does not kick in.
locking the center will disable the vsc so if you run into any conditions where you don't want your vsc to act in and disrupt whatever you're doing, lock the center.
good luck
locking the center will disable the vsc so if you run into any conditions where you don't want your vsc to act in and disrupt whatever you're doing, lock the center.
good luck
When the road gets so rough with rocks and ruts that you expect there will be times that you have a wheel off the ground; and especially if you are going up a hill with a rough road as described.
You don't want to lock it when you are traveling on a hard surface dirt road that is in reasonably good condition (i.e. you are able to drive at speeds over, say, 15 mph) because locking the center diff also disables VSC. For the same reason you don't want to lock it on icy roads.
You don't want to lock it when you are traveling on a hard surface dirt road that is in reasonably good condition (i.e. you are able to drive at speeds over, say, 15 mph) because locking the center diff also disables VSC. For the same reason you don't want to lock it on icy roads.
ToyotaDoodz
New member
When locked, it also distributes the power front to back 50 - 50 instead of 40% front, 60% rear when not locked.
bulldog-yota
New member
I normally lock it when doing hard climbs off road and when driving on soft surfaces such as sand and mud.
As said previously it disables VSC so you can spin your wheels a bit in mud to get out. It also helps on climbing dunes, as VSC kills engine power. I got stuck so bad on a dune, cause I forgot to lock the center diff, that it took Lance and Bruce to pull me out.
As said previously it disables VSC so you can spin your wheels a bit in mud to get out. It also helps on climbing dunes, as VSC kills engine power. I got stuck so bad on a dune, cause I forgot to lock the center diff, that it took Lance and Bruce to pull me out.
live4swell
Member
I lock the diff. when driving on the beach, or else the VSC would cut power a lot when i would step on the gas too hard or hit softer sand and the wheels would spin a little.
whitney8
New member
Not just the sand:
I would lock it in the mud too, especially if you will be in danger of getting stuck. The reason is that in mud you some times want to spin the tires to fling the mud out of them to keep your traction.
Also in snow filled parking lots, so you can do donuts!!!
I would lock it in the mud too, especially if you will be in danger of getting stuck. The reason is that in mud you some times want to spin the tires to fling the mud out of them to keep your traction.
Also in snow filled parking lots, so you can do donuts!!!
2005 SPT V6
New member
While in 4HI can you use the center locking differential on speeds between 25-50mph?
Yes, you can lock the center differential in either 4Hi or 4Lo and travel at any speed that you could without the differential locked.
The only restriction with a locked center differential is that you should not be on paved roads that wouldn't allow the wheels to easily slip during a turn. If you are on a paved road with a locked center differential and try to turn the front and rear wheels will not be able to rotate at different speeds and the vehicle will crow-hop and you will also severly wear your tires.
But would you want to? If road conditions permit travel at speeds up to 50 mph then it is unlikely that there is any need for the differential to be locked. And, locking the center differential disables the VSC that can keep the vehicle from skidding out of control during avoidance maneuvers.
I experienced just this when driving down a narrow hardpacked dirt road at 50 mph with the center differential locked (and thus the VSC disabled). Another truck suddenly appeared over the crest of a hill traveling in the other direction. I hit the brakes hard and started fishtailing, for a moment I thought I might be leaving the road at 40 mph. VSC likely road have helped me to bring the fishtailing under control. Since then I lock the center differential only under far more difficult road conditions.
I found my 4R to be MUCH better on snow covered roads with the center diff locked and the VSC off. I also own a Jeep Grand Cherokee V8 with a full time 4WD system, and while that has much more agressive tires, (my 4Runner is only a couple of months old, and has its original tires) it was SO much more stable in the snow than the 4R; that is until I tried the diff lock switch. At first, I though the problem with the 4R was the somewhat restrained OE tires, but the car felt somewhat unstable without the diff locked. With the center diff locked, the Jeep and the 4R are now quite comparable in the snow. The option of push button lockup is great. As I was driving in the snow, and the roads became a little cleared, I unlocked the center diff.. When they were completely clear, back to 2WD.
I know in my Jeep, I was able to get (took a bit of doing to find one so equipped,) a rear LSD. It came as a package with skid plates and tow hooks. The full time 4WD system is still not the best, as it has a tendency to pull to one side under hard acceleration on slippery surfaces, but I am very glad to have the LSD. The dealers I shoped at thought I was nuts to even ask about it, after all, it is a "Jeep". What BS. Does the 4 Runner have LSD's at either end?
I know in my Jeep, I was able to get (took a bit of doing to find one so equipped,) a rear LSD. It came as a package with skid plates and tow hooks. The full time 4WD system is still not the best, as it has a tendency to pull to one side under hard acceleration on slippery surfaces, but I am very glad to have the LSD. The dealers I shoped at thought I was nuts to even ask about it, after all, it is a "Jeep". What BS. Does the 4 Runner have LSD's at either end?