yep pretty much good advice here. Many many years ago I had a Ford ZB Escape 3.0L V6 with 4-speed auto and on-demand AWD however it also had ability to lock the centre differential for 50-50 torque split for full time 4x4 High Range, you could also launch in 2nd gear and with the right AT tyres could easily match what at the time the 4x4 Low range wagons (Patrol, Prado, Landcruiser, Pathfinder and Challenger) were going save for extreme uphill and extreme ground clearance rock crawling. If you have an Everest (previous gen) with AWD then you don't have option to lock in 4x4 high, however a little trick I found that worked was to switch off stability/traction control which in turn forced torque split to be 50-50 full time does not matter what TMS your in (best off to leave it in auto mode) and use the sequential gear shift (re: flick the gear lever to the right and pull once to launch in 2nd gear and stay locked in 2nd gear) which in turn allows the engine / transmission to not be torque limited so you get the full 470Nm from the good ol 3.2L 5cyl and take the right line and you can get though near anything, if you need more simply switch on the RDL , no need for 4x4 low range not unless its extreme conditions. That is my two experience in the past with said vehicles.
Fyi - On my 80 series, there are two sets of relays that engage the center diff lock, one works off button on the dash and the other works off the low range selector. I can't be in low range with the center diff lock off.
Due to my limited diff clearance as i run 265/75r16 i am forced to straddle ruts. Sadly i dont have that 2nd gear lock in my auto patrol, might see if i can get an aftermarket option, because thats cool. Well presented video as always Rob.
@@L2SFBC - Not sure about Partol but the Pathfinder (which was based of Navara) does have sequential shift mode so the owner can force launch in 2nd gear. Same goes for Everest (previous gen not sure about new gen) with the 3.2L 5cyl / 6-speed auto, I think the 2L turbo with 10-speed allows for 3rd gear launch also which again is fine since the engine is producing over over 430Nm from near idle.
The Nissans tend to refuse a 2nd gear start for some reason. The force shift to 2nd start works in most cars. In the Discovery 3 you could even pull away in 3rd high! They changed that to 2nd for the D4 onwards :-(
Would I be correct in stating higher wheel speed aids tyre self-cleaning? For example BFG Ko2s setting off on a slippery slope, 1st low might not cut it, starting off in 2nd low helps.
You would be correct, centrigual force does clean tyres but it also rips tracks, can mean too much speed, and typically puts you past the optimal tyre slip angle. So, anyone that says "just spin the wheels so they're clear" is not factoring in all these reasons NOT to spin the wheels. In conditions like that you want the highest gear for the speed you select so as to minimise torque and therefore wheelspin. First low is too low for that terrain, but I'd still use low range because you have a close-ratio gearbox.
@@L2SFBC Thanks Robert, those are very good points, especially track damage, as I hate people who spin on the spot, digging themselves in. Fully agree 1st low is too low for this situation :)
Yes it can but it also destabilies the car somewhat...it's a technique to use but sometimes better not to. In a future video you'll see me doing that technique. Works better at slow speeds when the car won't destabilise as much.
Another great video Rob. Out of interest, what tyre pressures were you running? Also, the 80 series should lock CD in low range automatically. If it doesn't, then they have performed a modification (or sensor/cable is damaged) related to the low range proxy switch (in a manual you just unplug it, but in an auto they disconnect at one of the ECUs so the transmission still knows as it affects the shift profile).
20psi all round. I'm not familiar with every Cruiser, but I do know there's quite a variation in how/if they lock centre diffs...I recall on one training course I had three LC100s, part-time, full-time and full-time with the c/d locking automatically in low range! Plus as you say there's mods.
Just a simple easy to understand explanation. Love your work.
Thank you so much 😀 please share!
yep pretty much good advice here.
Many many years ago I had a Ford ZB Escape 3.0L V6 with 4-speed auto and on-demand AWD however it also had ability to lock the centre differential for 50-50 torque split for full time 4x4 High Range, you could also launch in 2nd gear and with the right AT tyres could easily match what at the time the 4x4 Low range wagons (Patrol, Prado, Landcruiser, Pathfinder and Challenger) were going save for extreme uphill and extreme ground clearance rock crawling.
If you have an Everest (previous gen) with AWD then you don't have option to lock in 4x4 high, however a little trick I found that worked was to switch off stability/traction control which in turn forced torque split to be 50-50 full time does not matter what TMS your in (best off to leave it in auto mode) and use the sequential gear shift (re: flick the gear lever to the right and pull once to launch in 2nd gear and stay locked in 2nd gear) which in turn allows the engine / transmission to not be torque limited so you get the full 470Nm from the good ol 3.2L 5cyl and take the right line and you can get though near anything, if you need more simply switch on the RDL , no need for 4x4 low range not unless its extreme conditions.
That is my two experience in the past with said vehicles.
Fantastic tips, thanks!
Great explanation & comparison.
Thanks please share 👍
Fyi - On my 80 series, there are two sets of relays that engage the center diff lock, one works off button on the dash and the other works off the low range selector. I can't be in low range with the center diff lock off.
Less stress, less noise, less track damage
Due to my limited diff clearance as i run 265/75r16 i am forced to straddle ruts. Sadly i dont have that 2nd gear lock in my auto patrol, might see if i can get an aftermarket option, because thats cool.
Well presented video as always Rob.
Your Patrol may be able to force a start in 2nd low by manually selecting it on the auto shifter...can't remember how all the Patrols work.
@@L2SFBC of to do research i go =)
@@L2SFBC - Not sure about Partol but the Pathfinder (which was based of Navara) does have sequential shift mode so the owner can force launch in 2nd gear.
Same goes for Everest (previous gen not sure about new gen) with the 3.2L 5cyl / 6-speed auto, I think the 2L turbo with 10-speed allows for 3rd gear launch also which again is fine since the engine is producing over over 430Nm from near idle.
The Nissans tend to refuse a 2nd gear start for some reason. The force shift to 2nd start works in most cars. In the Discovery 3 you could even pull away in 3rd high! They changed that to 2nd for the D4 onwards :-(
@@L2SFBC cheers Rob. i was having trouble finding anything myself on the GQ specifically.
I usually accelerate just enough to maintain momentum
Would I be correct in stating higher wheel speed aids tyre self-cleaning? For example BFG Ko2s setting off on a slippery slope, 1st low might not cut it, starting off in 2nd low helps.
You would be correct, centrigual force does clean tyres but it also rips tracks, can mean too much speed, and typically puts you past the optimal tyre slip angle. So, anyone that says "just spin the wheels so they're clear" is not factoring in all these reasons NOT to spin the wheels. In conditions like that you want the highest gear for the speed you select so as to minimise torque and therefore wheelspin. First low is too low for that terrain, but I'd still use low range because you have a close-ratio gearbox.
@@L2SFBC Thanks Robert, those are very good points, especially track damage, as I hate people who spin on the spot, digging themselves in.
Fully agree 1st low is too low for this situation :)
More momentum from more speed.
What about turning the steering wheel left-right all the time? It sure helps with finding grip as much as possible, no?
Yes it can but it also destabilies the car somewhat...it's a technique to use but sometimes better not to. In a future video you'll see me doing that technique. Works better at slow speeds when the car won't destabilise as much.
Is the centre diff in 80 series open? I believe the one in the 200 series is limited slip torsen style. When did Toyota switch to limited slip center?
It's an open diff that can be locked. Later Cruisers had a Torsen centre but also lockable.
Another great video Rob. Out of interest, what tyre pressures were you running? Also, the 80 series should lock CD in low range automatically. If it doesn't, then they have performed a modification (or sensor/cable is damaged) related to the low range proxy switch (in a manual you just unplug it, but in an auto they disconnect at one of the ECUs so the transmission still knows as it affects the shift profile).
20psi all round. I'm not familiar with every Cruiser, but I do know there's quite a variation in how/if they lock centre diffs...I recall on one training course I had three LC100s, part-time, full-time and full-time with the c/d locking automatically in low range! Plus as you say there's mods.