Factory rear diff lock 2023 VX

[humungusmon Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close humungusmon]

Hi,
I really dont like that the factory diff lock on my new VX can’t be activated in high range.

For sand driving like the beach or the Simpson desert dunes, low range isn’t really practical.

In my facelift, I had front and rear air lockers installed. To me they are the best option as they can be activated in high or low range on the move. No need to stop, engage low, centre diff lock and then factory locker!!

I even was prepared to have an ARB air lockers installed both ends. ARB noted that with the factory actuator, they couldn’t install one on the rear. They even contacted Toyota and ordered in a GX front diff housing to fit the air locker to and then remove the factory housing. The large activator on the side of the housing is the issue, and why they tried the GX housing.

Has anyone found a way to active the factory locker in High range? I know that it all goes through up to 3 ECUs to make it all happen. A plug and play option would be great if some one knows something

Thanks.

[catherder Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close catherder]

As best I can tell you're stuck with low range if you use the factory ECU's. However, you don't have to use the factory ecu's...

Before factory lockers became more commonplace on 'yota's, it wasn't uncommon for people to add a factory locker to a stock vehicle. Here's one persons circuit to make it work.
https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f123...ircuit-154904/

Once you get your search criteria sorted, I'm sure you'll find a bunch of similar designs.

Ian B

EDIT: a PnP harness - https://trail-gear.com/ultimate-toyo...-off-road.html
and more info https://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/elo...ontrol.727439/

[Daniel150 Member Find all posts View Profile Close Daniel150]

I think you will find the benefit of a locker on sand is very minimal.
Locked or unlocked, I’ve never noticed any change.
Lockers are designed for heavy articulation like rock crawling etc which will almost always be done in low range.
Personally I wouldn’t waste the effort trying to get it to lock in high range as there is in my experience very few times it will be of assistance.

[Daniel150 Member Find all posts View Profile Close Daniel150]

Just to add as well, if the beach is firm enough to use high range then you absolutely do not need a locker.

On soft sand, fit a trans temp gauge and watch the difference between hi and low range. Often the torque converter will be badly slipping to compensate for the driver choosing the wrong gears. This will generate loads of heat and cook the trans.

[humungusmon Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close humungusmon]

Hi Daniel.
I’m not talking beach but dunes in the desert. If you have done the Simpson you’d have come across spinifex dune. It’s higher than Big Red. I have done it several times and can definitely say that it’s easier with lockers engaged. The track gets smashed by people who drive in 2wd and dig the crap out of it. You just cruise up gently with the lockers engaged. No damage to the track or your vehicle. High range is required for the momentum.

Thanks anyway.

[Daniel150 Member Find all posts View Profile Close Daniel150]

Quote from your post…. “For sand driving like the beach or the Simpson desert dunes, low range isn’t really practical”

Desert or beach, same principal applies. Yes I have done the Simpson, yes I spend a lot of time on sand.
Chewed out tracks generally come from tyre pressure being too high and too much right foot. I totally agree with you that with the right approach, the Prado just walks up most sand tracks.

If you like to use lockers then go for it, I just don’t find a need for them doing that kind of work that’s all.
Cheers

[humungusmon Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close humungusmon]

My thanks to catherder.

I did indeed use the links that he advised and have learnt that the same locker set up has been used on Tacoma's in the States for at least 20 years from what I can find. A lot of the online info is old and the wire colors don't appear to match the current ones. My Prado is 2023, so I only researched for that. Yours may be slightly different.

I can confirm that it is possible to engage the rear locker in high range. I does involve running a new loom from a cabin switch to the connector above the rear diff that goes to the actuator. This bypasses the ECU's completely.

I used 7 core trailer wire, 2 DPDT relays, a normally closed relay and connectors from AliExpress that plug in above the rear diff connector mentioned above. All up about $50 and a lot of time to sort the connections/ wire colors.

I'd only suggest this mod if you are confident with 12v wiring.

If anybody shows any interest in this, I should be able to upload the parts that I used and links to buy, plus the schematic that I used.

Cheers.