Thread: CDL usage and light

Originally Posted by trout1105

I have always engaged/disengaged 4WD while the vehicle is stopped in ANY make of 4WD.
This way there is No chance of doing any damage to the transmission.
If you Have to engage 4WD on the run it is usually too late in many cases anyway.

Why? The Series LRs were designed so you could push the yellow knob when moving. The LT230 is designed so you can engage the CDL when moving. Why not use a design feature?
As for engaging 4WD on the run, have you checked out Ashcrofts vid on the damage caused by NOT engaging CDL? When I turn off the bitumen onto dirt, I engage CDL. Do I stop to do so? No.

Hi-Lo? Sure. Although, you can change that using rev matching, same as any non synchro shift. Takes practice though, so maybe borrow a Nissan.

I am aware that you CAN engage/disengage the centre diff on the move But it just has to be easier on the transfer case to do this when the truck is stationary.
I am never in a tearing rush when i leave the hardtop so stopping to lock the centre diff or when selecting low range isn't a big issue for me.
Normally when i hit the dirt i have to air down anyway so I don't end up being one of those dickheads that wreak the tracks with their road pressure tyres so engaging the CDL at tbat time whilst stopped is just part of my routine, Same as when i air up again I disengage the CDL then.

Originally Posted by trout1105

I am aware that you CAN engage/disengage the centre diff on the move But it just has to be easier on the transfer case to do this when the truck is stationary.
.

Naa, it's dog to dog that are spinning at exactly the same speed.

When I did a t/case rebuild on the Deefer at and the 330,000km mark 2.5 years ago the dogs looked fine and it'd spent its life being shifted on the move.

Originally Posted by johntins

When I turn off the bitumen onto dirt, I engage CDL. Do I stop to do so? No.

Better engage it before you leave the bitumen cos that's how it's safe(ESSENTIAL) for the box


CDL handling.jpg

Originally Posted by trout1105

......Normally when i hit the dirt i have to air down anyway so I don't end up being one of those dickheads that wreak the tracks with their road pressure tyres .........

How, exactly, does this wreaking happen?

cue the video!

Post number 2 biggin

Originally Posted by sierrafery

Better engage it before you leave the bitumen cos that's how it's safe(ESSENTIAL) for the box


CDL handling.jpg

Driving normal dirt roads without the CDL engaged will not hurt the centre diff.
My Deefer spent probably 150,000km of outs 300,000km life on dirt without the CDL engaged. I just hate understeer.
Most minor country roads in Australia are gravel/dirt/shale.

Lifting a wheel or spinning up a wheel at either end with the diff open will chew the diff shims and possibly weld the pinion gears.

The early D2's had a CDL fitted but there was no mechanism to engage it and yet the CDL survived.