Thread: Disco CDL???

The CDL - Centre Differential Lock - places the care into full 4 wheel drive where the drive train is equally distributed to both front and rear axles. Without CDL engage there is more power delivered to the rear.

Disco 2's up until sometime in late 2001 or early 2002 had the CDL stud as part of the transfer case but it was removed until the 2003 model which came with the CDL fully installed (like the pre 1999 Disco's).

The CDL stud could be engaged as you mention. It's a Disco it will definitely drive better than the Courier and is all wheel drive.

So do you guys engage CDL when doing easy do medium tracks , or beach work. or do they still drive ok off road with out having to engage it...

Or is it a case of having to get out and engage it everytime I take it out bush??

thanks guys
mick

Originally Posted by dm_td5

Without CDL engage there is more power delivered to the rear.

No it won't bias to the rear. It will drive to the axle with least resistance (least traction).

Hello,

The D2's actually came out with an excellent traction control system, thus why they didn't have access to the CDL.

You won't need to engage CDL doing easy to medium tracks or beach work. The D2's with the coil suspension, excellent articulation, constant 4wd, and traction control make them a fantastic and capable 4X4.
I opted for the D2 update (the one with the round headlight clusters), this is the last modle of the d2's (late 2003 / 2004) and came with the CDL. I love it. It is a fantastic vehicle, looks great and now days you can pick them up for AS little as 18k!!

Originally Posted by 100I

No it won't bias to the rear. It will drive to the axle with least resistance (least traction).

A differential actually sends the same amount of torque to each axle.

Therefore a centre diff sends the same amount of torque to the front and rear propshafts if it is not locked.

The end result is if there is a loss of traction at one end (lifted wheel), that end will require very little torque to turn a wheel (not much resistance to a wheel in the air!).
The other end gets the same amount of torque (very little).
This is usually not enough to keep the vehicle moving.

Locking any diff (be it centre or in the axle) forces each axle / propshaft to rotate at the same speed.

The amount of torque going to each axle / propshaft can vary from 50% each to basically a 100% / 0% split.

Originally Posted by Mikey0211

hey guys, I am searching around at the moment to find disco around 2000 - 2003 model......

From what I have heard the CDL needs to be engaged via under the car unless you get the attatchment put up into the car itself.... ( correct me if I'm wrong)...

Now, at the moment I drive a modded courier 4x4 so for me its just a case of pulling the stubby lever into 4x4 hi or low and off I go....

Can someone explain to me what CDL is.???? Without it engaged, will it drive the same as my courier does now???

Any help would be great

Mick

Mick,

Don't really need the CDL if you want to 4WD, it's a nice to have, but the car is more than capable just with the hi-low lever inside the cabin.

So far with a decent set of tyres, and common sense, I have been fine.

The traction control etc (when working) will do the job.

CDL is not a must have to 4wd in a disco.

Cheers
JB.

Mikey

My advice would be if you are looking would to get a post 2003 model (an update model or otherwise known as a D2a) to ensure you get the CDL. All the above comments are correct in that the Disco is still a very capable car without it, but if you start getting into more challenging driving it will make a large amount of difference.

If you get a disco without the CDL (ie. late 2001 and 2002) it is a costly exercise to get the internals changed to insert the difflock. This could cost around $2-3K. Better to just get a model that has one.

The update model has a combined hi/lo range shifter which also allows you to engage the centre difflock. Earlier models require an aftermarket actuator or cable to engage the diff lock. Some people even get the linkage from the d2a and install it on the older models. Will cost you able $350-700 for the linkage depending on where you get it. Other mechanism vary from $150 to $500. The cheapest is a 10mm spanner and you climbing under the disco...not fun when its muddy!

Cheers

Angus

Mines a 2000 model with the CDL, but no internal lever to activate, so made my own for less than $25, and was a pretty easy install even for someone like me with very limited tools, and no mechanical experience.

Saves getting under the motor in the wet and mud!

Its all relatively "fail safe mechanical" too, as I have my own history with "electrical" stuff failing on me when I least expect!

Link here, though there's many, many variations.
Use the SEARCH button for tonnes of useful info on the forums.

Cheers,

..:: KIEREN ::..
2000 Disco II Auto V8
Object Of Mass Consumption