4wd system

[Pradoleum Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Pradoleum]

Ok, back again lol.
So ive got the Gxl 3.0lt 2015, has centre diff lock.
Did they remove the rear diff lock and replace with centre lock.
As the prados. Im assuming all of them are awd. Has this improved the 4wd capabilities of the car.
Ive never had or used diff locks before.
manual says to use centre diff when stuck. Seems pointless. Woulnt i use before say going up a sand dune or even through some softer sand.

PS. Probably wont be last (obvious to some) dumb question.

[404pug Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close 404pug]

GXL never had a rear diff lock as standard or optional. Lots about the use of the centre diff lock but in general if the surface is low friction [ ie NOT tar] and the going looks like it will be tricky, flick the centre diff lock on. Note that this will turn off the stability control [ the light will come ON] but this is not an issue in slow going. Centre diff lock is not really needed on high speed dirt.

[xlr8_87 Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close xlr8_87]

I've always flicked the centre difflock on with all of my 4wds as soon as I'm driving on anything other than bitumen (i.e. dirt, gravel, sand, mud).
You can feel the car respond better with the centre difflock engaged on a gravel road

Although as 404pug said above if it's high speed dirt/gravel the traction control (i.e. centre difflock disengaged) should suffice

[rascal Member Find all posts View Profile Close rascal]

The centre diff lock is used to lock the two axles together, such that (without any front or rear diff locks) you have at least two wheels turning (one wheel on each axle) in slippery conditions, rather than just one (one wheel of any axle) with it unlocked.

it delivers the same result as moving the 2WD/4WD lever into 4WD on a part time 4WD (eg patrols, hiluxes and some 80 series cruisers )

[Pradosaur Member Find all posts View Profile Close Pradosaur]

The centre diff lock is used to lock the two axles together, such that (without any front or rear diff locks) you have at least two wheels turning (one wheel on each axle) in slippery conditions, rather than just one (one wheel of any axle) with it unlocked.

it delivers the same result as moving the 2WD/4WD lever into 4WD on a part time 4WD (eg patrols, hiluxes and some 80 series cruisers )

I thought that "Locking" means that the diff no longer performs the task of allowing the drive shafts to turn at different rates. The front and rear drive shafts are physically locked together. If one is to turn, the other must turn the same amount.

[wrxzook Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close wrxzook]

It locks the front and rear driveshafts together. As said above, you then have at least one wheel on the front axle and one on the rear axle driving. Without the center diff lock on this vehicle, under some circumstances only one wheel will be driven.

[rascal Member Find all posts View Profile Close rascal]

I thought that "Locking" means that the diff no longer performs the task of allowing the drive shafts to turn at different rates. The front and rear drive shafts are physically locked together. If one is to turn, the other must turn the same amount.

That’s what I said... “The centre diff lock is used to lock the two axles together”

[Pradosaur Member Find all posts View Profile Close Pradosaur]

That’s what I said... “The centre diff lock is used to lock the two axles together”

It locks the drive shafts not the axles

[Atherton Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Atherton]

When activated the center differential locks the two driveshafts together to transmit equal torque to both front and rear axels, where differentials in both axles divide the torque to the wheels. If you remember old 4wd's this button press performs a similar function as getting out, putting the hubs in and pulling the lever from 2H to 4H- although this isn't entirely correct as the Prado has "constant" 4wd whereby when on road the center diff is unlocked allowing the front and rear prop shafts to turn at different speeds, which is required when cornering on high grip surfaces such as bitumen or concrete.

I believe that watching this might clear some confusion for you Rascal- It can be somewhat hard to explain and this guy does a really good job.

https://youtu.be/ZN6xHc7Nz-E

[rascal Member Find all posts View Profile Close rascal]

No confusion here. I know how centre diffs work. I just typed axle when I should have typed driveshaft... doh!! (Sorry Pradosaur)

[Pradosaur Member Find all posts View Profile Close Pradosaur]

No confusion here. I know how centre diffs work. I just typed axle when I should have typed driveshaft... doh!! (Sorry Pradosaur)

All good rascal

[Pradoleum Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Pradoleum]

Sums it up clearly ty, a lot easier then getting out old school way