What situations do you lock you center diff?

[GR8ADV]

Not sure why this is so difficult. Just to be clear none of our 4runners are actually All Wheel Drive so when you lock the center diff you are just sending equal power to the front (open) differential and rear (open) differential just like you would if you have driven any old 4wd vehicle.

Just to be even clearer, the Limiteds are AWD when in 4HF. That is one of the bigger advantages of the LTDS.

 

[Inv4drZm]

Not sure why this is so difficult. Just to be clear none of our 4runners are actually All Wheel Drive so when you lock the center diff you are just sending equal power to the front (open) differential and rear (open) differential just like you would if you have driven any old 4wd vehicle. My wife drives the 4runner because I drive old junk and when it snows she locks the center diff as should you unless you really cant drive and no it does not pull to one side but what it does do is have power when you need it.

See my post below, they behave like AWD though right? If not what is the difference between AWD and our 4HI mode with the center diff unlocked?

Just to be even clearer, the Limiteds are AWD when in 4HF. That is one of the bigger advantages of the LTDS.

Are you thinking of 5th gens? The 4x4 V8's, which aren't exclusive to Limiteds, are AWD (or behave like AWD) without the center diff locked. Lock the center diff and it a true 4x4 but you can't turn on concrete.

 

[Fjcoop]

My SR5 is missing the e-locker so I only lock the rear diff when in my Raptor. . I hacked my FJ so I was able to use the locker in hi or low.

 

[oldmansimek]

When I said All Wheel Drive I was talking about the people who have said they have all 4 wheels spinning, No you don't none of our 4runners came from the factory with that ability. Also having the "awd" V8 is no different then a V6 you are just in 4wd (diff unlocked) all the time you just don't get 2wd which is why I would never buy one.

 

[ZebRuaj]

Used it about 20 mins ago, dropped the wife off at work, curb side. Was sitting on unplowed snow.

Spinning in 4Hi. Zoomed out with the center diff locked.

Now I'm early to work in this snow storm.

 

[BackOff]

Granted I was pushing the system...as a test of the diff lock.
I would not recommend the center diff lock on most driving situations for this V6 4spd 2004 T4R.
That VSC is VERY good.
I played with it after the slide off, just 4wd HI no diff lock and it was way more stable, it wont let you over throttle the engine and it really tries hard to keep the T4R going straight...as opposed to sideways.
Just my experience...yours may differ.


...well that didn't work...need to figure out the youtube linking deal.
GRRR! well I know its not all that difficult...ah well.
https://youtu.be/5vWz4QKnjfs

 

[AdmiralAugbar]

Granted I was pushing the system...as a test of the diff lock.
I would not recommend the center diff lock on most driving situations for this V6 4spd 2004 T4R.
That VSC is VERY good.
I played with it after the slide off, just 4wd HI no diff lock and it was way more stable, it wont let you over throttle the engine and it really tries hard to keep the T4R going straight...as opposed to sideways.
Just my experience...yours may differ.


...well that didn't work...need to figure out the youtube linking deal.
GRRR! well I know its not all that difficult...ah well.
https://youtu.be/5vWz4QKnjfs

"The video is unavailable"

 

[T4R2014]

I feel like people asking this question would bind up a part time transfer case in the blink of an eye.

 

[BackOff]

"The video is unavailable"

That link at the bottom is bad?

I couldn't figure out how to link the youtube vid style link...

My mom accidentally locked her gx460 a couple days ago...I thought it was a 2014 but it is a 2016...drove it 20 miles and did not even know she had locked it...I guess the 'lock' button is real close to the 'start' button.

 

[JB.]

Yes, the key point about locking the center diff is that it turns off VSC.

 

[BackOff]

Yes, the key point about locking the center diff is that it turns off VSC.

It jacked my brake system too. Never had that hard brake pedal before.

Side note...

emelianenkov came up with the Trac mod hack? That works great, thanks!
I never can remember who did what/when.