2000 LC- What type of center diff is it?

[Number6]

I want to go off in the engineering weeds here. Recently I've been watching some videos on 100's and the center diff has been described in them as a Torsen. But from reading here and there over time (including Mud) I'm left with the idea that is not (exactly?) the case. So is it Torsen related? If so, what are the differences, similarities? If not, how is it engineered and how is it unmistakably not a Torsen?

Google searches have just led me to things on the center diff lock.

I know the Lexus GX has been usually described as having a lockable Torsen center diff- is that true or is it the same as the 100 LC (I'm interested as I may have a line on a nice 470 in my route)?

Dennis

 

[hickuptruck]

No the 100 series does not have a Torsen center diff. It is not a limited slip center diff that is able to redistribute torque to wheels needed.

 

[JunkCrzr89]

Torsen LSD center diff in 200 series and other models (GX, FJ Cruiser, etc) vs open center diff in 100 series: https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/1e59/16df64c80cd903bdaf6f68d8b1bf93e8b033.pdf

 

[JunkCrzr89]

Also, I’m not sure if this is what you were getting at, but a Torsen center diff from a GX’s VF4 t-case cannot he swapped into a 100’s HF2A t-case. However, you can swap the viscous coupler from an 80’s HF2A t-case to the 100’s t-case: 99 uzj100 photo thread: 35's, 4.88, UCA's Icon shocks, bumpers, S/C, more

 

[atnolan94]

To echo others I just took my t case apart to install a part time spool. This involves removing the center diff. I have held it in my hands and can confirm it’s a run of the mill open differential.

 

[Number6]

Thanks, that explains it. Interesting how a few YouTube 100 vids call the diff a torsen- but I doubted that was correct and wanted to check.

As to the Lexus GX, no plans on swapping anything. On my route, a doctor has a nice (early, maybe?) GX 470 I suspect he's owned from new. I'm interested in it as my own "everyday/commuter/grocery getter" drive and I'm going to put a bug in his ear on selling it when he's ready next time I see him. So I was looking for a few facts on it's drive system.

 

[BullElk]

To echo others I just took my t case apart to install a part time spool.

What could be a reason to dismantle the FullTime4WD of a Land Cruiser. Why?

 

[JunkCrzr89]

What could be a reason to dismantle the FullTime4WD of a Land Cruiser. Why?

Install spool with manual hubs to convert to part-time 4wd. Or install low range gears, underdrive gears, or overdrive gears.

Edit: I think I misunderstood your comment. You’re asking why get rid of full-time 4wd?

 

[BullElk]

Correct. Why do such a thing?

 

[atnolan94]

If you blow up your front diff on a trail you can still get home, better driving feel in rwd, no torque steer, better mileage, less CV wear, etc.

 

[Number6]

If you blow up your front diff on a trail you can still get home, better driving feel in rwd, no torque steer, better mileage, less CV wear, etc.

Just like my '86 4Runner....

 

[Skidoo]

If you blow up your front diff on a trail you can still get home, better driving feel in rwd, no torque steer, better mileage, less CV wear, etc.

I blew up my front diff on the trail, with full time 4wd, so had to pull drive flanges and front driveshaft, took less than 30 minutes and drove out in 2wd.
Sure, its not as easy as flipping the switch and unlocking the hubs, but it is not a big deal.

 

[atnolan94]

That’s one of multiple things listed. The biggest selling points for me were torque steer and cv wear. I run 315/75r16s and 22” hub to fender and I was cooking through CVs, new ones almost annually. This should prolong my CV life greatly as they are spinning at highway speeds for thousands of miles. With what OEM CVs cost, if I prolong CV life by a year it’ll pay for itself.

Just an observation, not picking on anyone in particular, but people get very weirded out about part time conversions and I am not sure why. Every time it comes up, people want to make a big stand on why they don’t think it’s necessary or why it doesn’t make sense to remove the full time 4wd. You don’t need to do it but for my needs I think it works great. It certainly doesn’t suit everyone else’s needs. My dad has a 2006 LX and he drives it stock, I would never recommend a PT kit for him.

 

[I Lean]

I did the part-time kit to eliminate my front driveshaft vibrations on the highway.

 

[SlowBuild]

Correct. Why do such a thing?

I used to wonder this too. I think some folks don’t drive much on icy/snowy or dirt roads. If you live in the desert and drive only on dry roads or on trails then the AWD is not so useful. It would never work for me because half my miles every year are on my mostly dirt commute or else in the snow/ice.

Plus, the hubs look awesome to the very small fraction of people who will notice them (myself included). If I had an extra truck I didn’t daily I might do it just for fun, it’s a pretty rad modification.

 

[nukegoat]

Correct. Why do such a thing?

The spider gears in the center diff carry a ton of load. If they fail, you have no RWD. I spooled the case for that reason alone

 

[nukegoat]

I used to wonder this too. I think some folks don’t drive much on icy/snowy or dirt roads. If you live in the desert and drive only on dry roads or on trails then the AWD is not so useful. It would never work for me because half my miles every year are on my mostly dirt commute or else in the snow/ice.

Plus, the hubs look awesome to the very small fraction of people who will notice them (myself included). If I had an extra truck I didn’t daily I might do it just for fun, it’s a pretty rad modification.

OTOH, hubs are more likely to fail than the drive flanges

 

[atnolan94]

OTOH, hubs are more likely to fail than the drive flanges

I carry my flanges as spares, if I toss a hub I can still not only get home, but retain 4wd

 

[nukegoat]

I carry my flanges as spares, if I toss a hub I can still not only get home, but retain 4wd

Ok