What situations do you lock you center diff?

Wow! I'm not sure if it is because it is 12:30 am or what but now I am even more confused about when to lock the center diff. I have only locked mine when test driving it. So far I havent needed it. I was really wanting to perform the mod that will get rid of the annoying traction control nanny. It did save my arse this past weekend though. I was driving through Steamboat springs and was behind a slow car. I changed lanes and I supposed I gave it too much gas cause the rear end kicked out and I though I was in for a bad ride. Then the vsc kicked in and it straightened me right out. I will still do the mod one day so I can just play around in the snow or mud but as far as normal driving..I like the nanny.
 
zonianbrat said:
Wow! I'm not sure if it is because it is 12:30 am or what but now I am even more confused about when to lock the center diff. I have only locked mine when test driving it. So far I havent needed it. I was really wanting to perform the mod that will get rid of the annoying traction control nanny. It did save my arse this past weekend though. I was driving through Steamboat springs and was behind a slow car. I changed lanes and I supposed I gave it too much gas cause the rear end kicked out and I though I was in for a bad ride. Then the vsc kicked in and it straightened me right out. I will still do the mod one day so I can just play around in the snow or mud but as far as normal driving..I like the nanny.
Click to expand...

I hate nanny. Nothing wrong with drifting the rear end as long as the tires keep spinning friction free :)
 
zonianbrat said:
Wow! I'm not sure if it is because it is 12:30 am or what but now I am even more confused about when to lock the center diff. I have only locked mine when test driving it. So far I havent needed it. I was really wanting to perform the mod that will get rid of the annoying traction control nanny. It did save my arse this past weekend though. I was driving through Steamboat springs and was behind a slow car. I changed lanes and I supposed I gave it too much gas cause the rear end kicked out and I though I was in for a bad ride. Then the vsc kicked in and it straightened me right out. I will still do the mod one day so I can just play around in the snow or mud but as far as normal driving..I like the nanny.
Click to expand...

Then just keep it simple and use it only if you need it.

If you need it, don't worry about using it other than remembering that VSC is off.
 
question.. I just bought my 07 v6 4x4.. i took it out yesterday for a lil 4x4 testing.. i engaged it into 4lo and engaged the center diff lock.. did a hill climb(impressive by the way) i then turned around and decided to try out the downhill assist.. while in my decent i assume when the noises occur is when it is working , also when climbing i heard the same noise, i assume thats the atrac doing its thing.
 
ddnww said:
question.. I just bought my 07 v6 4x4.. i took it out yesterday for a lil 4x4 testing.. i engaged it into 4lo and engaged the center diff lock.. did a hill climb(impressive by the way) i then turned around and decided to try out the downhill assist.. while in my decent i assume when the noises occur is when it is working , also when climbing i heard the same noise, i assume thats the atrac doing its thing.
Click to expand...

For what I've heard, cause I never used the DHA, supposedly its very noisy so your right. Climbing its another story, as I have done some climbing myself in 4Lo and C-lock and never herd any weird noise. Just my experience though, don't quote me on it though as others have way more experience on the subject.

Muddy, very muddy...
Me (blue TR4) in 4H + C-lock:
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/0O3hZJ5TXoE" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
 
Last edited:
ddnww said:
question.. I just bought my 07 v6 4x4.. i took it out yesterday for a lil 4x4 testing.. i engaged it into 4lo and engaged the center diff lock.. did a hill climb(impressive by the way) i then turned around and decided to try out the downhill assist.. while in my decent i assume when the noises occur is when it is working , also when climbing i heard the same noise, i assume thats the atrac doing its thing.
Click to expand...

Yep, just the brakes pulsing. In downhill assist (DAC) it can be pretty noisy especially if you're not in 1st-low to add some engine braking to keep it from operating constantly.
 
I decided to go into low range for a portion because it was steep. Upon engaging "reduction" I noticed an additional option. Apparently its for locking/unlocking the center diff - even though the menu text is cryptic. I learned you can really "wind up" the transmission if you leave it locked for too long. In the case of our cayennes.. when do we actually NEED or really want to lock the center diff? What are the scenarios? And for how long can it be engaged? click here
 
I know this is an old thread but maybe someone here can help with my question. I just purchased an 05 4runner v6. While browsing through threads and various forums, I've been left only more confused about the 4x4 system on my rig. I'm in the Chicago area and in the recent snowstorm, nanny mode really threw me off as I'm used to my 3rd gen 4runner powering through most conditions in control of throttle and braking.

My main questions are- Can i engage the diff lock in 4hi for on-road snowy conditions?? If the center diff is locked, can you turn (whether on or off road in slippery conditions)??

Thanks for the input!
 
I would recommend turning the diff lock on almost every time you go into 4wd unless your just driving around in 4wd on dry pavement like an idiot. No it does not make the steering harder you might notice some tension on tight turns but cv's do much better then u-joints. I personally hate the trac control on these I think it's dangerous like for instance pulling out into traffic and not having any throttle control. If you need trac control to drive in the snow your doing it wrong or you have really bad tires.
 
Yeah I learned that as soon as i got the car it was snowing and i lost throttle control as I was pulling out in front of cars haha. And I was told that 4HI in these cars is perfectly fine on dry pavement as it's more like AWD but the with the diff locked its true 4x4. I've also been told that with the diff locked you should only be off road in severe conditions and not use it in winter weather on road... seriously confused haha
 
I lock the center diff in deep sand, mud, snow, or crawling over large rocks. I use 4Lo when I want to crawl up or down a trail. 4Lo is ideal for steep hills and situations where I don't want to be riding the brakes. Bad things happen when you ride brakes down a steep hill for a while. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ksSlXLbzfbI This guy boiled the fluid in his calipers and lost his brakes at Rowher Flats (steep AF).
 
I used 4lo plus lock when towing loads up a steep, loose drive. Basically just idles up the hill with no stress or slipping.
 
If you lock it, at speed it will push more in the corners...over-steer.
Not really the best for on the highway.

Its really better at lower speeds and in off-road conditions or if you think you could get stuck because the snow is really deep or the sand is really loose.

Don't use it on dry pavement.

The traction control works very well in slowing and keeping the T4R going straight.

Locking the center diff will disable Trac system.
 
When I need to get all 4 wheels spinning. I've not actually used my truck "offroad" yet :wtf: ... but I've locked the center a few times in the winter when it's so slippery that even in 4HI, the traction control is cutting in and not letting me spin tires and make progress. Locking the center diff cuts out that TC interference and lets the tires spin.
 
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.
 
oldmansimek said:
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.
Click to expand...

The biggest difference is really TC or no TC.
 
This was at one time in your sun-visor pocket.
Seems like Trac/VSC control would be more sensible at highway speeds in slippery conditions.
 

Attachments

  • IMG_6779.jpg
    IMG_6779.jpg
    109.9 KB · Views: 450
I was thinking today, do I not know how this 4runner works?
Super slippery today ice with a inch or so of snow on top.

Figured I would try the diff locked, 4wd HI.
It definitely lets you gas it, which is nice pulling out in traffic, doesn't retard the engine.

But it kills the VSC.
I went off the road today, unplanned. Good thing i was the only one around.
I will see if I can get the dash cam vid up for your entertainment.

To much throttle and I was starting to slide. Touched the brakes and it was like I stepped on a brick, hard pedal did not compress. Let off and touched the brakes again and it was all over. In to the bushes across the opposite lane.

YeeeHaaa!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Members online

Total: 280 (members: 5, guests: 275)

Forum statistics

Threads
278,310
Messages
3,554,079
Members
248,016
Latest member
Advally Service

Share this page

Trending content

Back
Top