95 series Prado - automatic dif lock in low range

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

I have a 2001 95 series Toyota Prado Grande 3.4 petrol, 5VZFE auto, which automatically selects diff lock when placed in low range and there is no method of separately turning off the diff lock as far as I am aware. I have read on some forums that there are two different centre diff lock systems for the 90/95 series Prado, manual and electronic and I believe mine is electronic. I have also read about a fix for the Landcruiser which I believe has a similar automatic box and I have read about a "Pin 7" modification.

I tow a caravan and am concerned that at some stage I may have to use low range to ascend a steep hill while travelling on an unknown road. If this were on a loose gravel road then I have no problems, but if it were on a hard bitumen surface I am concerned that I will cause transmission windup damage, as it is likely that loss of towing power will generally be caused on a steep winding road and I will need to turn from the straight,

My solution to this problem is to isolate the centre diff lock circuit by installing an isolation switch in the centre diff lock electrical power circuit. I have a workshop manual and am fairly familiar with mechanics and electronics and my solution would be to place an on/off switch on the circuit that engages the electronic centre diff lock.

Please advise if there is the safe fix for my problem.

I have searched the past posts and while I have found some related posts, they do not specifically answer my problem.

Brian DJ

[MRW82 Member Find all posts View Profile Close MRW82]

Re: 95 series Prado - automatic dif lock in low range

Hi brian,
I have been reading about the pin7 mod recently on LCOOL. It is quite common for the cruisers, but I do not know of anyone doing it to a prado. I am very interested in finding out if it works as I have a slightly inclined driveway and I have to ride the clutch to reverse the trailer up it, not something I like doing.

on the cruisers they discinnect the pin7 wire and that disables the automatic CDL. if we were to put a switch in the wire rather than disconnect it we could have a solution. switch off, no CDL engaged. switch on, system works as standard and CDL should engage when in low. provided it is engaged electronically.
The only wiring I could find going to the transfer case was for the switch for the CDL dash light.
my transfer case has H-HL-N-LL. the other style available has just H-N-L with a CDL button.
Im guessing mine is a mechanical engagement and I won't be able to do it (i'd still like to try to know for sure, or get access to an exploded view diagram of the transfer case so I can see how it works.) If yours is the H-N-L style then I think you can do it as its the same as the cruisers case.

more investigation needed, does the gregorys manual have much information on the transfercase internals?

Mark.

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

Re: 95 series Prado - automatic dif lock in low range

Hi Mark,

Do you have the Landcruiser 80 series forum web address and if possible the Pin 7 thread web address, so I can have a read of it?

Brian DJ

[MRW82 Member Find all posts View Profile Close MRW82]

Re: 95 series Prado - automatic dif lock in low range

it was actually in the 100 series section

http://www.lcool.org/forum/viewtopic.ph ... sc&start=0

there are links within that thread with some good info too.


Mark.

[dhula Member Find all posts View Profile Close dhula]

Re: 95 series Prado - automatic dif lock in low range

my transfer case has H-HL-N-LL

you can't do it with this type as the CDL is all mechanically done. Having said that I did briefly look into
doing a twin stick conversion early on but it never went past looking at the manual and thinking about it. Given some time and a few $$$$ this is probably a solution that will work.

the other style available has just H-N-L with a CDL button

this one you should be able to do it with as CDL engagement is electrical in nature (but still mechanical if that makes sence)s

[MRW82 Member Find all posts View Profile Close MRW82]

Re: 95 series Prado - automatic dif lock in low range

what manual do you have, is it a gregorys or a proper toyota one? and does it have much detail?

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

Re: 95 series Prado - automatic dif lock in low range

Hi Mark

I have the Gregories manual and it has reasonable detail and a good schematic wireing diagram.

I can't get in to the Lcool 100 series,m as I appear to only be a member of the 90series group. I tried to register again, but was unsuccessful.

Can you copy the thread from 100 series you spoke about and email me on ([email protected]) and I will photocopy the wireing diagram page of the manual for you in return message.

Brian DJ.

[MRW82 Member Find all posts View Profile Close MRW82]

Re: 95 series Prado - automatic dif lock in low range

try this link brian. Lcool is mainly a discussion but this one is detailed instructions on how to do it. even has pics.

http://www.sleeoffroad.com/technical/tz_cdl_pin7mod.htm

only difference is 100series is in the dash behind the glovebox instead of the passangers side footwell.

I don't know why you can't view the 100 series section of LCOOL. if you are registered and logged in you should have access to the whole site, I don't have any special privelages there!!!!
did you only recently sign up? maybe you haven't been activated yet.

mark.

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

Re: 95 series Prado - automatic dif lock in low range

Thanks Mark, that is exactly what I was looking for. I will insert my switch and test it on the flat first and hopefully it will be a great safety device if ever I need it. I have had it planned for a couple of years, but every forum or transmission specialist I asked the question generally gave negative feedback, so I was not game to test my theory in case it caused an expensive fix.

I have been a member of the 90scool forum for several years, but that does not appear to get me in to lcool, so I have now registered for lcool and am awaiting authorization.

Thanks again, Brian DJ

[MRW82 Member Find all posts View Profile Close MRW82]

Re: 95 series Prado - automatic dif lock in low range

so what shift pattern does your case have brian? is it the H-HL-N-LL or the H-N-L with a separate CDL button.

[dhula Member Find all posts View Profile Close dhula]

Re: 95 series Prado - automatic dif lock in low range

I've not had a look at my manual (only got the gregories manual so it might not give great info anyways) but in my mind (and very quickly) I would think that the Prado T/case would ahve some kind of switch like a reverse switch somewhere on it that tells the CDL actuator to engage when you shift to low range (if you have a L-N-H type)
plus you will have the separate CDL switch on the dash somewhere so you can engage it when in high range.

This being the case you should be able to jsut disconnect the switch on the t/case (the one like the reverse switch) and use the dash mounted CDL switch for both Low and High range.

This will save you doing any kind of wiring and fitting another switch.

jsut a thought.

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

Re: 95 series Prado - automatic dif lock in low range

My Prado has the H-N-L stick shift and the separate dash button lock. Brian DJ

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

Re: 95 series Prado - automatic dif lock in low range

Well then Brian as a result your centre diff lock shouldn't lock in unless you press the button?

It will only lock if you press the button. I chuck mine into L lots when reversing up hills or fiddling with trailers (Although admittedly haven't done it in this car, in the old ute.)

Can you confirm if your orange centre diff-lock light actually illuminates? I have a VX 2002 model and it doesn't do that. Also confirm the lights on the dash, as yours is a Grande it maybe the VSC turning it's self off?

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

Re: 95 series Prado - automatic dif lock in low range

I have not gotten around to doing the fix yet, but will get back to you when I get the job done. Brian DJ

[minh Member Find all posts View Profile Close minh]

Re: 95 series Prado - automatic dif lock in low range

Brian

Read my post in this thread. I worked out my question. I believe I got confused viewtopic.php?f=11&t=7116

I assumed my Prado selected DIFF lock when I put it into "L" because my VX 95 series only has the stubby lever with "H N L"
It doesnt. You will only go into low gear and no diff lock if you move the stubby lever into "L"

The button is on the right hand side to lock the diff. I actually got confused and thought that button is for Active TRC.
I was wrong. Active TRC is on all the time . That button is in fact for diff lock and when you press it . It will light up the orange circle on the speedo using the same diagram as the active TRC. This confused me into believing that button was TRC.

Just for further info and I hope someone can clarify. You can only diff lock whil in neutral? Not park or drive.
The light will continously blink if you do that. Successful diff lock the light will stay permanently on as oppose to blinking?