Pickup with axle diff locks and open diffs in low range?

[Peter]

My mechanic says it would be possible.

[Ironbark]

The outgoing MK6 Hilux can be modified pretty easily to allow you to use low range without 4 wheel drive.

[openspaceman]

Thinking about it, all the diff locks are electrically operated, so in theory you could separate the switching so the H/L knob does just that, and have the diffs on little toggle switches.

 

One reason for the diffs being locked in low ratio is to limit the torque any one half shaft has to handle if the other side loses grip. It's often the shock of the spinning wheel stopping that does the damage.

[Peter]

Wouldn't the ESP stop the wheel spin anyway?

[openspaceman]

Wouldn't the ESP stop the wheel spin anyway?

 

Pass, much too modern feature for my experience.

[gensetsteve]

I have a LC Amazon with auto box regularly put 3500kg behind it. Never needed to use low box the auto box has plenty of meat inside it to move trailers about. The landrover system is not great because even with difflock in one front wheel spinning and one rear wheel spinning you are going nowhere. Sometimes you just can't beat a difflock. I hate abs traction control with a trailer because sometimes you just want to keep the momentum up and get through suddenly the brakes cut in and leave you in a muddy hole.

[miker]

I have a LC Amazon with auto box regularly put 3500kg behind it. Never needed to use low box the auto box has plenty of meat inside it to move trailers about. The landrover system is not great because even with difflock in one front wheel spinning and one rear wheel spinning you are going nowhere. Sometimes you just can't beat a difflock. I hate abs traction control with a trailer because sometimes you just want to keep the momentum up and get through suddenly the brakes cut in and leave you in a muddy hole.

 

does yours have the HL and LL and rear diff lock like my colorado ?

[gensetsteve]

does yours have the HL and LL and rear diff lock like my colorado ?

 

Will have to have a look I think front centre and rear difflock. Definately rear because I see the actuator recently.

[fastrac]

I have a LC Amazon with auto box regularly put 3500kg behind it. Never needed to use low box the auto box has plenty of meat inside it to move trailers about. The landrover system is not great because even with difflock in one front wheel spinning and one rear wheel spinning you are going nowhere. Sometimes you just can't beat a difflock. I hate abs traction control with a trailer because sometimes you just want to keep the momentum up and get through suddenly the brakes cut in and leave you in a muddy hole.

 

have to agree with you steve i have 2 hiluxes the auto totally different to the manual with a loaded trailer

[wills-mill]

I can't help with the axle diff locks

 

But, you can run a Ranger in 2wd low range and not get tyre scrubbing (if you have the RFW switch and light system that the Mazdas do). RFW are free wheeling hubs that are actuated by a vacuum line and an electric solenoid, so the solenoids can be bypassed...

 

I copied this from an Aus forum-

 

"Ranger/BT50 Mod to get Low Range 2WD.

Ok this is the Mod I have one to my Ranger so has to use Low range 2 wheel drive for backing a caravan etc.

 

there's 2 relay's under the bonnet on the left side of the brake booster. 1 plug is black=free solenoid and the other plug is Blue=Lock solenoid.

 

I did the following mod.

#1-Cut the red wire back about 100mm from the blue plug.

#2- Run a length of 3mm twin core wire from driver side foot well into engine compartment.

#3- place shrink wrap over the wires before soldeing each end of cut Red wire to one of each of the twin core wires, and then cover the soldered joins after soldering with the shrink wrap.

#4-Using a Narva rocker switch #63020BL with amber LED, run an earth wire to ground the switch and run the twin core wires to the switch Power & Acc poles.

#5- To Test. Start the Ute. The Led on Rocker switch will light up if it is in the On position.

Move the 4WD lever to 4WD, the Rocker switch Led will turn OFF.

Move forward to engage RFW (Remote Free Wheel hubs) and the RFW light on the dash will light up.

This will give you 4 wheel drive.

Now move the 4WD lever back to 2WD and disengage the RFW switch so the dash light goes out.

 

To Select 2WD Low Range.

Turn the Rocker switch OFF (LED OFF).

Move 4WD lever to Low Range and move the ute forwards, the RFW light will not come ON. This will give you 2 Wheel Drive Low Range.

When you reselect 2WD High Range, turn the rocker switch back on. This will sometimes bring the RFW light on so just push the RFW button again to turn it OFF"