Thread: When to lock CDL

Or if you just like the feel of the diff lock being applied.... Hi my name is Oz and I'm a diff locking junkie... and I like gadgets... I haven't locked my centre diff in 3 days now

Cheers (oops)

Originally Posted by weeds

Soooo what has the OP decided on??

Phew , I am the OP.
My original question was purely to get drivers' opinion whether they lock CDL on hard smooth/compacted dirt roads and if there was a risk of windup.

I thought I will 'open a can of worms' but not to this level.

Question answered, CDL locked on dirt

I have been driving mainly Toyotas for the company I worked for many years, stringing up tower lines in bush and we were always taught to lock hubs and 4wd on dirt roads.

I thought the same applied for defender but given the transmission windup possibility made me ask the question anyway.

Cheers everyone and thank you for your responses.

All this has been very helpful. It convinced me that driverless cars are a good thing.
.W.

Finally.....an end to the discussion

Originally Posted by ProjectDirector

Phew , I am the OP.
My original question was purely to get drivers' opinion whether they lock CDL on hard smooth/compacted dirt roads and if there was a risk of windup.

I thought I will 'open a can of worms' but not to this level.

Question answered, CDL locked on dirt

I have been driving mainly Toyotas for the company I worked for many years, stringing up tower lines in bush and we were always taught to lock hubs and 4wd on dirt roads.

I thought the same applied for defender but given the transmission windup possibility made me ask the question anyway.

Cheers everyone and thank you for your responses.

You were taught that becuase from a legal and liability stand point they would have to advice the safest method for travelling dirt roads. If you had not been told to use the 4wd system and lost control causing you serious harm and or death they could be sued I'd imagine.

Originally Posted by 1nando

You were taught that becuase from a legal and liability stand point they would have to advice the safest method for travelling dirt roads. If you had not been told to use the 4wd system and lost control causing you serious harm and or death they could be sued I'd imagine.

I would agree with you to some extent and very true especially current days. But...

Last Tuesday I went to Craig's Hut (Mt Buller Victoria for those not in Vic) and got on to Circuit Rd track and decided to lock centre diff soon as I left the bitumen.
This track is well maintained and most part of it was regraded in time for snow season.

Large section of it was smooth and compacted and immediately thought, should I or not?
My instinct told me keep it locked and sure enough as I was driving (40-60kmh as there are lots of turns) a lot of wet sections appeared. I doubt I would have time to engage cdl and save myself from any embarrassment or accident. The defender handled it very nicely.

Cheers

Locking CDL on dirt is like paying your insurance premium. Most careful drivers will never lodge a claim, some live happily ever after CDL saves their hides. Whatever locks your boat.

Originally Posted by ProjectDirector

I would agree with you to some extent and very true especially current days. But...

Last Tuesday I went to Craig's Hut (Mt Buller Victoria for those not in Vic) and got on to Circuit Rd track and decided to lock centre diff soon as I left the bitumen.
This track is well maintained and most part of it was regraded in time for snow season.

Large section of it was smooth and compacted and immediately thought, should I or not?
My instinct told me keep it locked and sure enough as I was driving (40-60kmh as there are lots of turns) a lot of wet sections appeared. I doubt I would have time to engage cdl and save myself from any embarrassment or accident. The defender handled it very nicely.

Cheers

That red clay that they have brought in and are using on more than the circuit road packs down well and gives a nice smooth surface but is extremely slippery when wet and it doesn't dry out very quickly. I was there a few weeks ago and know exactly what you mean.