Ceneter diff. lock?

[LXRACR]

Hello, just purchased a great shape 1991 LC. The button on the dash, "center diff. lock", how is that different from when people speak of "lockers", thanks in advance, Jason

 

[spressomon]

"Lockers" generally refer to either the front and/or rear differential locker. Although the CDL is the Center Differential Lock. The CDL, when activated, locks the front and rear drive shafts. You should only engage the CDL when on less than very firm surfaces particularly when cornering/turning to prevent front/rear drivetrain/tire binding.

With the CDL in the unlocked position the front and rear driveshafts can rotate independently of each other...allowing cornering on hard pavement without binding. You will also have a tighter turning radius when the CDL is in the unlocked position.

 

[Wagontrain]

Older Land Cruisers that had manual front locking hubs never required a CDL, it was always on... so to speak. When you lock the hubs on dry pavement it would create a lot of stress on the transfer case, not recommended. On surfaces with less traction the transfer case has a chance to "unload". With full time 4WD, they "viscous clamp" the driveshafts, which allow some "slippage". This keeps the T/C from binding up. When you press the CDL button, it locks the T/C. You now get 100% power to both driveshafts. Not recommended when driving on high traction surfaces.
HTH

 

[Pskhaat]

And to clarify I believe the 91-92 had a mechanical CDL; 93+ was a viscous coupling, yes?

 

[Wagontrain]

And to clarify I believe the 91-92 had a mechanical CDL; 93+ was a viscous coupling, yes?

Could be, I only understand the principal. I still drive one of those old fashioned manual locking hub L/C's.

 

[hieronymus]

When in 'low' the CDL is automatically engaged, although the orange dashlight will not be switched on!