Who does this MOD to there 92 fj? I was thinking about doing this. I've been reading other forums and I guess this is a big advantage in the cruiser world. Any thoughts?
CDL 7 pin mod on 92 fj80
- Thread starter doublebuck
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It lets you go into low range without locking the CDL automatically.
Not needed on an FJ80. If you want manual control over the CDL in both high and low range, simply remove the connector on the top of the transfer case. When looking at the rear of the transfer case, this connector is in the 1:00 position. It has no other effect.
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- #4
So there's no need for the 7 pin mod? Just unplug and I should be good.
Enlighten me please. What is the benefit of having the cdl off if you're not a control freak?
I am under the impression that it was to give equal power to front and rear axles, so wouldn't disengaging it allow only the tire with the least traction to spin if you're not running lockers?
I am under the impression that it was to give equal power to front and rear axles, so wouldn't disengaging it allow only the tire with the least traction to spin if you're not running lockers?
91-92 has a dash button for center locked in HI.
Not much.
Some want to be able to use low range on a steep driveway or boat ramp, some say it's more fun to wheel with the center open till you need to lock it, etc...
This was the very first "modification" I did oh so many years ago. Wheeling in the Northeast is all about ridiculously tight trails. Having the center open enables a tighter turning radius and eliminates the driveline binding up. It's really quite nice and remarkably useful. I highly recommend it.
No. You drive with it unlocked all the time when you're on the road. You're just going slower in low range.
There are several ways to look at this. I have wheeled with folks that lock everything at the start of a trail and unlock (if) when they finish.
I prefer to put a bit more thought into navigating a trail. I always start with all 3 diffs open, unless the situation calls for it or the trail is extreme to start. If the truck is moving forward, then locking differentials really isn't going help that much. There tends to be less load on driveline components, and if a wheel slips, well then a wheel slips. Traction is constantly changing on all 4 wheels as you traverse any trail. Of course this is all very dependent on the type of terrain/speed/weather/conditions/etc.
I never really liked the term "control freak". I prefer "control enthusiast".
There is only 1 connector in the 1:00 position on the transfer case. It's pretty hard to miss. It is the high/low position sensor on the linkage side of the transfer case. All it does is engage the CDL in low, same as pushing the button on the dash.
Mine has been tywrapped to the harness for 20 years.
IMO, it's cleaner to just do the 7-pin mod under the dash even on the early trucks.
Makes sense to me. Also, it's a bit of a safety. Theoretically if you get into a stuck situation you can double your traction at the push of a button.
SUMMIT CRUISERS
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Here's our take on the CDL button similar to Jon's. We run our 92 on the trails in low. We engage the CDL only when we feel it may be needed to overcome an area of the trail that may require it. After we clear the questionable area we disengage the CDL to reduce wear and to tighten up the turning radius. We did the 7pin mod (because I didn't know about unplugging the connector until reading this). Thanks Jon for sharing your wisdom, once again.
According to CDan the wire for the transfer case also changes some shift points in the transmission which is why the Pin7 mod is better. With the Pin7 mod the transmission knows you are in 4Lo and changes the shift points but the CDL does not engage unless you have the CDL switch turned on. It might only apply to the 93+ units though.
Here is CDan's write-up on how to do the Pin7 mod: https://forum.ih8mud.com/showpost.php?p=16905&postcount=8
And description of the updated shift points: https://forum.ih8mud.com/showpost.php?p=16908&postcount=11
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- #19
Did the 7 pin MOD, tested on street and I can feel a jump when put on low than engage CDL, is it normal? Feels like more torque, and my brakes had a hard time to stop the vehicle? It sure feels different
