When do you use the center locking diff?

[Ron Helmuth]

I don't have one but I led an 01 Limited last weekend up Aspen Mountain and over to Taylor Pass. I never needed my rear locker and she never needed her center diff locked. (keep it clean here please...)

She's not into reading her owners' manual... is there a general rule of thumb when to engage the center locking diff? I presume only when it's needed of course....

Must be at a full stop first yes?

 

[adder70]

Based on my 2000 Limited, there is no need for stopping, but lower speeds are required. Won't take the time to go out to the parking lot, but I believe the instructions are on the sun visor. I believe it's 50 mph to engage limited slip and about 5 or 10 for locking.

I try to run in limited slip once a month or so regardless of conditions for a few miles. (I at least wait for wet weather so the stress (if any) is less than on dry pavement.)) It supposedly keeps the components better greased and oiled.

 

[brian2sun]

The center diff locked is the same exact thing as 4hi (or 4lo when put in low range). So basically whenever you would need 4hi or 4lo in any vehicle, you would lock the center diff in a multi-mode 4runner.

If the conditions are not so bad that you would want 4hi (like on 90% dry pavement with patches of ice here and there), then 4x4 with the center diff unlocked is better. That will allow slippage in the t-case whereas a normal (or locked) t-case would bind around corners on the 90% of the road that is dry.

 

[Mr. Leary]

I don't have one but I led an 01 Limited last weekend up Aspen Mountain and over to Taylor Pass. I never needed my rear locker and she never needed her center diff locked. (keep it clean here please...)

She's not into reading her owners' manual... is there a general rule of thumb when to engage the center locking diff? I presume only when it's needed of course....

Must be at a full stop first yes?

Unlocking the center diff can be useful on tight trails as it allows tighter turns. Otherwise, it just provides more traction by evenly splitting the power load between front and rear axles. Most of the time, you should keep it unlocked. to reduce stress on components.

I would not engage it while moving, and you could very well cause damage to the truck if it is engaged during a turn.

 

[Ron Helmuth]

thanks for the feedback

thanks guys! I'd never have thought to check the drivers visor but that makes sense for that type of info.

appreciate the courtesy of replies, and getting notified via email that they occurred is even betterarty: