Transfer Case & Center Diff Question?

[csp]

Ah, ok. I basically thought the point of a center diff lock was in the 'lock' mode, it would evenly distribute power to both the front and rear differentials...

You have it backwards, as did someone before you. The purpose of a center diff is to allow different speeds between the front and rear drivelines. It's not a center diff lock, it's a center diff (no lock) to allow it to be "unlocked".

Any tcase without a diff is locked by default.

 

[amalik]

You have it backwards, as did someone before you. The purpose of a center diff is to allow different speeds between the front and rear drivelines. It's not a center diff lock, it's a center diff (no lock) to allow it to be "unlocked".

Any tcase without a diff is locked by default.

sorry yea, i just got confused on some of the terms.

but csp.. hear me out...

let's say you have my rig. T-case with no diff... thus both driveshafts spin the same speed when I enable 4H/4L, correct?

I don't have lockers in either front or rear diff either. Thus, the 2 wheels belonging to the front diff, and the 2 belonging to the rear diff -- are all allowed to spin freely at different speeds (depending on terrain) -- even though the driveshaft's are the same speeds.

Thus, if someone tells me the advantage of a center diff is to allow the 2 driveshafts different speeds... I'm thinking -- Aren't I already there? (Except one 'layer' later (axle level) to put it in IT terms)

but I guess the huge advantage would be full-time 4WD on any pavement or whatever -- something I CANT do.

 

[csp]

No, you're not already there. Even though there's differentiation between right and left tires at each axle you can still have binding between front and rear.

Lets say you're going around a 90° right turn. The radius of the turn for the front axle is much wider than it is for the rear axle, just like the radius for the left rear tire is wider than the right rear. There has to be some slip or give to accomodate that radius difference (thus the term differential) between front and rear along with right and left.

The differentials in the axles only allow for differences between right and left sides, not front to rear differences.

Go make a u-turn on a dry, dirt road with 4WD engaged. You'll feel the bind and the eventual slip of the tires in the dirt.

 

[Firescout2]

ALL interested in this subject should read this thread:

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/78448-t-case-differences-all-years-3rd-gens-transfer-case-awd-multi-mode.html