I'm going to look at my first Land Cruiser this weekend, a 1999 by the way. The main reason I want one of these is because of the locking center and rear diffs. I'm assuming that there won't be any dirt near the dealership, and have read locking the diffs on dry pavement is a no no. So what's the best way to check if they're working properly? Will they lock and unlock while stationary? The body is a bit rusty, so I'm concerned about the actuator motor on the rear diff being trashed. The owner said the truck was his moms and doubted if the lockers have ever been used. He did assure me the low range on the t case works though. Thanks for the help.
Advice on testing diff locks
- Thread starter 99 cruiser
- Start date
This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate
links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.
You can lock them up on pavement, but don't go crazy. I'd lock them individually and drive and turn slightly to see if you can feel the axles binding. The drivetrain is designed to push a 6k lb vehicle, rolling around on pavement to check them isn't going to hurt. Just my opinion, I'm sure there are others.
On my 99 the center will lock (steady indicator, not flashing) almost every time when still. The rear takes a little bit of driving and turning to lock most times. The rear locks in 4lo only BTW...
I don't know that I'd do tight turns on pavement, but you shouldn't have a problem trying them gently. The center on mine is easy as stated above, but the rear also takes a minute sometimes, and usually requires a turn to engage it. I'd be careful doing this on pavement as it can only be done in low range, which also means the center will be locked. It's a tricky situation cause I'd be really pissed to buy the truck wanting the lockers only to find out the rear has issues. Maybe it would be a better idea to make the current owner or dealer demonstrate use. If the rear just won't lock up maybe you can talk them down on price and repair. There's threads in the 80 forum to rebuild the diff lock, ours should be the same.
One more note, mine does this and I've heard others complain about the same thing: the rear diff lock light continues to blink even though the diff is for sure locked (I can feel a tire dragging in a turn). Apparently the fix is simple and is usually the sensor at the actuator (so I've heard). Again, it may be tough to figure that all out on pavement. Good luck with it.
One more note, mine does this and I've heard others complain about the same thing: the rear diff lock light continues to blink even though the diff is for sure locked (I can feel a tire dragging in a turn). Apparently the fix is simple and is usually the sensor at the actuator (so I've heard). Again, it may be tough to figure that all out on pavement. Good luck with it.
I usually just exercise mine on a dirt road or on my mom's driveway when I go to see her, that thing should be a test course for Land Cruisers.
When I inherited my 98 in 2011 after 13 years under my parent's care, I realized the rear differential was never locked.
Put it into low range, locked my center diff (I did the Pin 17 mod so it doesn't lock automatically) and turned the knob to the rear. The light kept blinking... In my ignorance I instantly turned it off so I didn't "damage" anything and kept it like that thinking I needed a new actuator. A year later I was on a dirt trail and was showing a friend some of the features, I went to lock the rear and after a few turns lock to lock it engaged! The light turned on solid and the ABS light was illuminated and turning was so much harder than with only the center locked.
So sometimes you just gotta work it, I just happened to find out 14 years later that my rear did indeed lock even without use.
As of now, it doesn't lock as the wiring had been melted by the Borla catback pipe that I installed but that's another story!
Good luck!
Rich
When I inherited my 98 in 2011 after 13 years under my parent's care, I realized the rear differential was never locked.
Put it into low range, locked my center diff (I did the Pin 17 mod so it doesn't lock automatically) and turned the knob to the rear. The light kept blinking... In my ignorance I instantly turned it off so I didn't "damage" anything and kept it like that thinking I needed a new actuator. A year later I was on a dirt trail and was showing a friend some of the features, I went to lock the rear and after a few turns lock to lock it engaged! The light turned on solid and the ABS light was illuminated and turning was so much harder than with only the center locked.
So sometimes you just gotta work it, I just happened to find out 14 years later that my rear did indeed lock even without use.
As of now, it doesn't lock as the wiring had been melted by the Borla catback pipe that I installed but that's another story!
Good luck!
Rich
- Thread starter
- #6
Thanks for all the advice guys. I think I'll ask the dealership to show me that they work before I buy I
it.
it.