7 pin mod unsuccessful

[EDPA]

Man, I do not know what a terminal pick is but I've got to find one! Tried to remove the "black wire with blue tracer" and just could not do it. Thought about cutting it but didn't want to do that either. I've called around to a few electronic/electrical places and they do not seem to know what a terminal pick is. I tried a small screw driver, exacto knife and a small wire like thing all to no avail. Damn! Where do you get these terminal picks...anyone know specifically?

Also, this is a bit more embarrassing, but here goes. Despite reading probably all the thread/posts on the 7-pin mod and what's on Slee's site, I just don't seem to grasp the advantage of why I should do this (other than it seems by reading the threads/posts on IH8MUD I should). When would you use this mod? I know it overides the preset shifting points or something like that and allows you to have full manual control over the CDL, but why do I need that? I guess I'm asking if someone could describe a practical application when to use this.

I apologize in advance for being the forum idiot on this.

 

[offroadkid]

Here's the one I use at work. I brought it home to do my pin 7 mod with.

 

[MoJ]

It lets you put the transfer into low without the CDL automatically engaging. You might want it in the event you want to use low on dry pavement or on a tight turning trail were low is desirable (decending with less need for the brake pedal) but the extra traction of the CDL is not needed. Basically less strain on the drivetrain if the CDL is not engaged. Think of pulling a boat out of the water while the truck is on a dock ramp or recovering another vehicle while yours is on a high traction surface. Try Radio Shack for the pick. I cut mine, insulated it, and forgot about it.

HTH

 

[e9999]

IIRC I used a very small screwdriver to pull the pin out.

 

[EDPA]

So currently every time I shift into low the CDL autmatically engages. But sometimes I don't need the extra traction, like going down a steep grade. By doing the 7-pin mod the CDL will no longer automatically shift into low unless I push the button. After the mod I can engage the CDL any time I feel I need the extra traction. Can I use the CDL while the trucks in, for lack of a better term, 4 high?

 

[MoJ]

Si. But you only need to add the CDL button to do that.

 

[Safado]

exactly....so you can use it to drop one of your Drive Shafts if ever damaged and still drive home over 30 mph.

The pick I'm using in the picture is part of a 4 pack I got for $1.99 at Harbor Freitght.

 

[EDPA]

What picture? The one on Slee's site?

 

[phatairman]

Not trying too hijack, but my CDL doesn’t immediately engage when I shift to Low. With my CDL switch it will happen immediately. But if I don’t use the CDL switch and ride with it in Low, it will eventually show that CDL is on. (FYI – I haven’t done the 7 pin mod yet)

Any ideas?

 

[Riley]

Regarding the statement >> By doing the 7-pin mod the CDL will no longer automatically shift into low unless I push the button. <<

That should read - By doing the 7-pin mod the CDL will no longer automatically engage and lock the center diff when shifted into Low unless I push the button.

BTW - Cruiser Dan holds the IP on this mod and might be collecting royalities one day.

BTW2 - I just cut the wire on mine as I had a bitch of a time getting the pin free (and I'm supposed to be an Electrical Engineer ). I didn't really have the right tool.

 

[Bear80]

the only "right" tools you need to pull pins out is a small screw driver to remove the lock on the connector, and a needle to release the pin.

 

[RavenTai]

EDPA most of the plugs are double locked (some tripple), you first need to pull up a plastic gate (see pic) then you can get to work on the pins own lock, not much forsce is needed when tickeled right it will pop right out.

rest of the article

http://www.sleeoffroad.com/technical/tz_cdl_pin7mod.htm

 

[EDPA]

Well I certainly didn't do anything to the plastic gate. That probly explained a lot. I was wondering what that picture was all about. Thanks!! I'll try again on my next day off.

 

[loquito]

I used an old fork with only one tang, and needle nose to grip the wire as close to the pin as I could .

 

[Gold Finger]

Man, I do not know what a terminal pick is but I've got to find one! Tried to remove the "black wire with blue tracer" and just could not do it. Thought about cutting it but didn't want to do that either. I've called around to a few electronic/electrical places and they do not seem to know what a terminal pick is. I tried a small screw driver, exacto knife and a small wire like thing all to no avail. Damn! Where do you get these terminal picks...anyone know specifically?

Also, this is a bit more embarrassing, but here goes. Despite reading probably all the thread/posts on the 7-pin mod and what's on Slee's site, I just don't seem to grasp the advantage of why I should do this (other than it seems by reading the threads/posts on IH8MUD I should). When would you use this mod? I know it overides the preset shifting points or something like that and allows you to have full manual control over the CDL, but why do I need that? I guess I'm asking if someone could describe a practical application when to use this.

I apologize in advance for being the forum idiot on this.

Hi,
I did my seven pin mod a few weeks ago and did not have a terminal pick I have a UK vehicle and the poor of access compounded the problem. My terminal is located in the driver’s foot well by my right foot (RHD) and I had to adopt a very contorted position just to see the terminal block after removing the panel and other relay, I then could not see the colours very well because of lack of light. I extracted my self and brought a powerful torch and all manor of sharp tools to complete the job. After identifying the correct wire after numerous checks I tried to separate the terminal lock but it looked as though all the terminals were about to fall out as I prized at the important one. I kept dropping things in the foot well under my head and had difficulty picking them up again as I was on my back like an upturned beetle under the steering wheel with my feet on the ground outside. I then took the decision to cut the wire in the middle as I figured if it was the wrong one then it would be easier to splice than try to match up a bunch of pins that had shot out of the terminal block. I then taped up the wire ends put back the other relay and foot well panel and test drove it. I was very impressed as I pulled back into low ratio and the CDL light did not come on and even more impressed when it did come on with the ABS light after I flicked the CDL switch wow!

This modification together with the CDL switch has made quite a difference to me. I can now if Low Range has been selected disengage the CDL when negotiating a corner that is slippery or deep in mud without being pushed so wide through under steer as to have to repeatedly try again, or go back into High Ratio when before the 7 pin mod the CDL did not engage. I can drive over larger distances off road in high ratio flick the CDL switch to lock the CDL then lock axles when going into low would mean choosing an inappropriately low ratio which might break traction because of Toyotas insistence on imposing a gear shift change pattern when in Low Ratio that hangs on to every gear until near maximum RPM before up shifting. This means now that I can tackle very boggy bits in High Ratio to help with traction and then at the flick of one or two switches lock every thing up to maintain my way. I intend to interrupt the signal that causes the Low Ratio gear change pattern with a switch so that I can have a choice of patterns to mach the terrain.

What a brilliant couple of modifications, perhaps cruiserdan should become superdan the cruiserman.

 

[Safado]

Yeah, those are Dan's directions and my stumpy fingers. The pic that Raven posted is the main lock that holds all of the pins in place at the same time. Then the following picture in the instructions shows how to remove the final lock that exists on each individual pin.

Good Luck.

 

[Bambusiero]

Romer, would you mind adding this thread to the
"Forum members Pin 7 Mod" FAQ, or at least
RavenTai's photo of the unlocked connector?

I was stumped by the connector until I searched on
"terminal pick" that CruiserDan refered to and found
the photo. Looks as others have been stumped as well.

 

[Trinny]

I used a small screwdriver to pull out the plastic gate, but then needed to push the wire out from the bottom by using the same screwdriver to push it up - came out real slick. Before doing this I just about ripped the wire from the metal end using needlenose pliers...wouldn't budge, even with the gate pulled out.

 

[Hayes]

Just cut and insulated mine.
Yeah, removing the pin would be nicer and less permanent, but really--are you ever going plug pin 7 back in?

Hayes

 

[TroutRunner]

I'm glad to see others had a hard time pulling the pin out. Looks like some have removed it, others just cut the wire. When I did mine the metal pin broke in half leaving half left in the plastic and the other half I insulated.

TR