Thread: Filler plug for transfer case??

Originally Posted by lro11

This does look similar to a D2 box as I have just had mine serviced at Austral Land Rover and they forgot to put it back in I drove for two weeks before I found their mistake.

Dealers againwhy am i not surprised......

I will say no more,now you know the reason i will never go to them again

Originally Posted by R.J.

I have the complete set. I do not have the bar. If you mean just use the wrench without a socket (which fits) I didnt want to do that because of the previous damage done to the plug.

Originally Posted by R.J.

All sorted now. And I even found out that these gearboxes have a "locker" or something. I have Hi and Low on the left side, and lockers on right side of gear shift. Does this sound right? Which is better for driving on really soft sand?

Hi RJ,

If the filler plug is looking a bit butchered in the 1/2" square hole, you can replace it with a 1/2" BSPT (British Standard Pipe - Tapered) plug from just about any plumbing or decent hardware place. These plugs (like the diff filler and drain plugs) are 1/2" BSP tapered thread plugs. This means they tighten-up and seal on the threads, not against a washer or gasket under the head of the plug (because, as you will have noticed, these don't even have a head...) Because of this, they do NOT need to be tightened up too tightly. Screw them in finger-tight then about another full turn or so with a 1/2" drive ratchet handle or small breaker bar, until it feels 'firm'. A tapered thread will not come up 'hard' like a headed bolt and doesn't need to be that tight.

As for your "lockers", the knob to the right of the gear lever operates the transfer case centre differential lock (CDL). You can engage it in either high or low range and you should engage (lock) it on soft surfaces (sand, mud, gravel). But never leave it engaged on sealed roads. A dash light should come on when the diff lock is engaged? (If not, get the light fixed or one day you'll drive a long way on a sealed road with the CDL engaged and destroy it = $$$)

With the CDL engaged on a full-time 4WD like your Rangie, it behaves like a part-time 4WD when 4WD is selected. That is, both front and rear axles driving, but you'll lose drive if both one front and one rear wheel lose traction at the same time. For example, if the opposite F & R wheels leave the ground crossing a deep gully on an angle.

With CDL disengaged on soft surfaces, you really only have a "one wheel drive" - if any one wheel, front or rear, losses traction, you will come to a halt. Very embarrassing if a ordinary Falcon ute passes you stranded up a sandy hill...

The CDL is a completely separate item to the aftermarket diff-locks that many choose to fit to the rear or front differential (or both) to give more than standard traction in really tough conditions.

Hope this helps,
Ian