Default Transfer Case Setting: H, N, or Low? (1 Viewer)

[podiev]

What is the default setting of the TC for daily driving an automatic LC? Ever since we've got the HDJ81 3 years ago, we have been driving her as: TC is on High and CDL is OFF.

Is this ok? Or should TC be in Neutral for highway/city driving?

Can you shift TC to H/N/L while cruising? Or should I stop first, put Tranny in Park/Neutral, and then shift the TC? I have not tested this for the fear of breaking something or cause damage.

 

[Hants]

TC should be in High for normal driving, and Low for Offroad.

TC in Neutral will yield no movement.

Transmission must be in Park or Neutral to shift TC. You should not be moving when shifting the TC.

HTH

 

[Miescha]

Definately DO NOT shift the transfer case while driving (or even rolling)!

I'm no expert or mechanic, but I would liken this to shifting a manual transmission without using the clutch. I once witnessed a dealer salesperson do this while I was in the passenger seat of a showroom new LC driving about 35 mph - there was a LOT of metal grinding noise. I don't know how stout the transfer case gears are, so I never knew if there was damage - but it sure sounded AWFUL!

The transfer case simply allows you to select the gearing ratio. High for daily on-road driving, and low for off-road or more serious grunt. I don't know what year you have, but it sounds like an earlier 80 with the factory CDL switch. So you could use the low gear for say pulling a boat out of the water, but leave the CDL unlocked so you have better steering.

Hope This Helps!

 

[podiev]

thanks for your info. This clears things up for me.

 

[CJF]

Dude.

You really need to read your owner's manual. Questions like this are exactly why Mr T. wrote it for you.

Curtis

 

[wussyPup]

TC is on High and CDL is OFF.

Yes, this should be your normal driving setting. You can engage CDL (at any speed) when you need extra traction. When TC is in Low, CDL is automatically engaged.

G'luck, -Steve

Dude.

You really need to read your owner's manual. Questions like this are exactly why Mr T. wrote it for you.

Curtis

Sounds like a good idea; do you know where to get an English language OEM Owner's Manual for a 1990 HDJ81?

 

[CJF]

Sounds like a good idea; do you know where to get an English language OEM Owner's Manual for a 1990 HDJ81?

No, but I have no need for one. Are they unobtanium?

Curtis

 

[wussyPup]

No, but I have no need for one. Are they unobtanium?

Curtis

I've been seaching for one for over a year. I suspect that podiev doesn't have one either. Since the HDJ81 was only marketed in Japan, perhaps an English language one wasn't issued.

I seach Oz and UK eBay daily looking for an early 90's HDJ80 Owners Handbook. It should be close enough. So far, I've only found one and it went for about $50 shipped; yikes!

Please let me (and podiev) know if you come across one.

-Steve

 

[CJF]

Please let me (and podiev) know if you come across one.

Okey dokey, and sorry for the hair trigger.

Curtis

 

[wussyPup]

Okey dokey, and sorry for the hair trigger.

Curtis

No worries!

-Steve

 

[Miescha]

When TC is in Low, CDL is automatically engaged.

Are you sure about this? I thought the early model 80s with the factory CDL switch had the CD open in low unless the switch is pressed. Or is this only achieved with the 7-pin mod?

 

[80krazE]

I've been seaching for one for over a year......So far, I've only found one and it went for about $50 shipped; yikes!
-Steve

Seems a small price to pay for the knowledge and piece of mind you would get. Just a thought!!

 

[Capocaccia]

I shift my TCase while im in neutral is that bad? I make sure Im completely stopped with the brake engaged so I didnt think it could hurt anything.

 

[CJF]

Are you sure about this? I thought the early model 80s with the factory CDL switch had the CD open in low unless the switch is pressed.

US 91-92 automatically locks the center diff when the TC is put in low. (Though this can easily be modded...)

Curtis

 

[tech_dog]

There is an online source for old owners manuals. I replaced my 94's owners manual a few years ago.

I poked around trying to find the site, but couldn't. My recollection was that it was a Toyota publishing service or something.

Ring a bell for anyone?

Edit: I also found a guy on eBay with a lot of Landcruiser manuals. They appear to be mostly used.

Click on this: Owners Manuals on eBay

 

[CJF]

Ring a bell for anyone?

Well, for US vehicles it's easy; Call here:

Toyota Publications 1-800-622-2033

Owner's manuals and repair manuals.

Curtis

 

[podiev]

I've been seaching for one for over a year. I suspect that podiev doesn't have one either. Since the HDJ81 was only marketed in Japan, perhaps an English language one wasn't issued.

yes - I have been searching for some time now online and here in the Philippines. But no luck. The closest as I was able to get is a french version of the HDJ81 FSM and Owner's Manual. Unfortunately, can't read french - but these manuals are slight usable because I can follow the illustration.


going back to my original post: if normal driving is with TC=High and off-road/additional traction requires TC=Low, on what situations would you set TC=N/Neutral?

Also, when TC=Low, CDL is automatically engaged, right? Would the bulb on the dashboard light as well (like when I hit the CDL switch when TC=high?) I'll probably try this setting over the weekend to see.

 

[firetruck41]

yes - I have been searching for some time now online and here in the Philippines. But no luck. The closest as I was able to get is a french version of the HDJ81 FSM and Owner's Manual. Unfortunately, can't read french - but these manuals are slight usable because I can follow the illustration.


going back to my original post: if normal driving is with TC=High and off-road/additional traction requires TC=Low, on what situations would you set TC=N/Neutral?

N is just neutral, in other words you are not going to have any connection from the transmission to the axles. I never use it, but put it in N and you will see it is essentially the same as putting a transmission in neutral.

Also, when TC=Low, CDL is automatically engaged, right? Would the bulb on the dashboard light as well (like when I hit the CDL switch when TC=high?) I'll probably try this setting over the weekend to see.

CDL is automatically locked and the light should come on (as well as the ABS light, if you have ABS, it will be disabled) when it is in "L". This is assuming it works the same as US models.

 

[wussyPup]

if normal driving is with TC=High and off-road/additional traction requires TC=Low, on what situations would you set TC=N/Neutral?

If you had a PTO winch, you would select TC=N while you were winching another vehicle and you wanted to stay parked.

I was just reading the Gregory's Shop Manual (Oz version of an improved Haynes Shop Manual), it says that the TC has a synchroniser ring between the high range gear and the output shaft hub allowing the TC to be shifted from low to high range without stopping the vehicle. I didn't know that.

-Steve

 

[firetruck41]

I was just reading the Gregory's Shop Manual (Oz version of an improved Haynes Shop Manual), it says that the TC has a synchroniser ring between the high range gear and the output shaft hub allowing the TC to be shifted from low to high range without stopping the vehicle. I didn't know that.

-Steve

Try it and let us know how it works.