Notices
95.5-2004 Tacomas & 96-2002 4Runners 4th gen pickups and 3rd gen 4Runners

How to tell if my center diff lock is engaged?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 02-24-2011, 09:01 PM
  #1  
Registered User
Thread Starter
 
joevanvliet's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Vancouver, BC
Posts: 91
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
How to tell if my center diff lock is engaged?

Whenever I click to button to lock/unlock the center diff I dont see anything coming up or any indication of it turning on/off. Does the truck need to be in 4WD for it to work?
Old 02-24-2011, 10:53 PM
  #2  
Registered User
 
justin_4runner's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: tacoma wa
Posts: 1,295
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
jack up the rear end, and have it in neutral, spin the rear tire the other side should go the other direction. then hit the button and spin the tire. they both should go in the same direction. if not then try putting in 4wd and try that again. u might need the truck running as u are testing the locker button.
Old 02-25-2011, 03:46 AM
  #3  
Registered User
iTrader: (1)
 
pkt1213's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 501
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
He's talking about the center diff. Not a rear locker.

I don't have one with the AWD so I'm not sure. I would imagine you have to be in 4x and then select whether to lock or unlock the center.
Old 02-25-2011, 05:27 AM
  #4  
Registered User
iTrader: (1)
 
4ever4running's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Arlington, Virginia
Posts: 817
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
You have to be in 4WD before the center differential lock can be engaged. When you engage the center differential the 4WD indicaor circled below should have all 4 wheels lit green and the circle in the center should be solid orange. When you are in 4WD with the center differential disengaged, all 4 wheels should be lit green and the center should be blank/off.

Last edited by 4ever4running; 02-25-2011 at 05:30 AM.
Old 02-25-2011, 06:42 AM
  #5  
Registered User
 
Mauzer's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: TX
Posts: 529
Received 3 Likes on 3 Posts
^^^What he said
Old 02-25-2011, 08:54 AM
  #6  
Registered User
Thread Starter
 
joevanvliet's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Vancouver, BC
Posts: 91
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
awsome thanks
Old 02-26-2011, 08:33 AM
  #7  
Registered User
 
brian24's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: San Diego, CA
Posts: 47
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Can someone explain this center diff. Lock vs a transfer case? I have a 97 3rd gen. With 4x4 and stock locker. No center diff.
Old 02-26-2011, 08:49 AM
  #8  
Contributing Member
iTrader: (3)
 
4Crawler's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: SF Bay Area, CA
Posts: 10,817
Likes: 0
Received 29 Likes on 26 Posts
Originally Posted by brian24
Can someone explain this center diff. Lock vs a transfer case? I have a 97 3rd gen. With 4x4 and stock locker. No center diff.
A normal transfer case (at least what you have) is essentially locked when in 4WD. That is front and rear drive shafts turn the same speed all the time. With a center diff, locked, it is the same, but unlocked can let the front and rear shafts turn at different speeds so you can use 4WD on pavement (full time 4WD vs. part time 4WD):
- http://www.4crawler.com/4x4/Glossary.shtml#C
Old 02-26-2011, 08:50 PM
  #9  
Registered User
iTrader: (1)
 
4ever4running's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Arlington, Virginia
Posts: 817
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Originally Posted by joevanvliet
awsome thanks
No problem!

Originally Posted by 4Crawler
A normal transfer case (at least what you have) is essentially locked when in 4WD. That is front and rear drive shafts turn the same speed all the time. With a center diff, locked, it is the same, but unlocked can let the front and rear shafts turn at different speeds so you can use 4WD on pavement (full time 4WD vs. part time 4WD):
- http://www.4crawler.com/4x4/Glossary.shtml#C
That link to the glossary is really handy, definitely something I am going to have to bookmark!
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
HaukurU
Newbie Tech Section
4
08-03-2015 02:40 PM
dfarr67
Items Wanted
0
07-30-2015 07:08 AM
Daneums
Offroad Tech
0
07-28-2015 11:57 AM
Steven.m.paulk
86-95 Trucks & 4Runners (Build-Up Section)
3
07-24-2015 01:44 PM
justdifferentials
Just Differentials
0
07-22-2015 08:26 PM



Quick Reply: How to tell if my center diff lock is engaged?



All times are GMT -8. The time now is 11:17 AM.