How necessary is CDL really? (1 Viewer)

[desertwampa]

The more research I do, the more it sounds like the Lx570 might be capable enough for my needs without me having to have the CDL repaired now...at least

Help me understand though.

The Torsen LSD is on the center diff or the rear diff? (2008 lx570). If on the center diff, does that mean it essentially performs a similar function that the lock would?

Also, how the F do I get Atrac to work? is that just automatic on this year's tech? I don't see any specific atrac buttons.

Without the CDL, atrac might still be able to save the day? or do I need the CDL working in order for atrac to work??

 

[bloc]

Center diff is Torsen. Axle diffs are open, with a-trac/crawl control providing the traction control. A-trac will be on any time you are in 4-low.

The primary use of CDL would be in very loose conditions, or very very steep high-traction conditions where weight transfers to one axle or the other and the one losing weight can lose traction. Think some of the steeper climbs (and to a lesser extent descents) at Moab.

Otherwise I leave my CDL off as this helps turning radius in tight trails.

I wouldn't want to rely on a-trac when a CDL is really needed, as the axles being locked together with the traction (including braking) benefits being a big safety factor.. but that depends a lot on the nature of the trails you plan to run.

I wouldn't let it keep me from buying an appropriately priced vehicle. It is fixable. But it would be a big priority.

 

[tbisaacs]

This is not the thing I'd skimp on repairing

 

[kcjaz]

I have evolved to not using my CDL as much when it isn't really needed. I used to just lock it when I hit dirt. Now I wait for the steep climbs or loose rock/gravel. Still, I use the the CDL a lot, I'm just more intentional about it. I think in theory, without it locked, any situation where both tires on one axle loose traction means the wheels on the other will stop spinning. I think the Torsen diff maybe helps but I it still slips and you'd end up with very little power to the wheels on the ground in the situations @bloc describes. I think a steep climb is where you'd notice this the most.

 

[lx200inAR]

The Torsen LSD is on the center diff or the rear diff? (2008 lx570). If on the center diff, does that mean it essentially performs a similar function that the lock would?

Just to pile on here. Torsen diffs are great, but they are torque multipliers. If you have 0 grip on one tire on each axle (assuming open diffs in front and rear) then the Torsen cannot do anything to generate torque.

 

[daneo]

Food for thought

 

[stonepa]

I often use the CDL on my LCs and miss it when I don’t have it. Borrowed my buddies 2023 Tacoma TRD Sport a couple of weeks ago to drive the beach here in Homer to gather coal for this winter. I usually just use the 100 but he offered and it would mean less trips because of the larger Tacoma bed. Anyways I got stuck in soft sand of the type that has never troubled me before. 4WD low and airing down made no difference. The CDL would have helped as I basically had 2WD with the open diffs front and rear and low traction. Finally jammed enough driftwood under all 4 tires to get out. Wish i had the CDL and learned the TRD Sport trim doesn’t have it.

 

[linuxgod]

If you're going to mall (or strip) crawl in Vegas (I see the OP shows as Henderson, NV) then you'll probably never use your CDL. Or 4Lo for that matter.

If you are planning to drive offroad and/or in snow, you'd be wise to fix it.

Depending on the issue fixing it could range from a couple hours under the truck and about $10 in materials to a $2500 dealer service to replace the actuator to ~$6k for a new transfer case.

 

[TCH2FLY]

I often use the CDL on my LCs and miss it when I don’t have it. Borrowed my buddies 2023 Tacoma TRD Sport a couple of weeks ago to drive the beach here in Homer to gather coal for this winter. I usually just use the 100 but he offered and it would mean less trips because of the larger Tacoma bed. Anyways I got stuck in soft sand of the type that has never troubled me before. 4WD low and airing down made no difference. The CDL would have helped as I basically had 2WD with the open diffs front and rear and low traction. Finally jammed enough driftwood under all 4 tires to get out. Wish i had the CDL and learned the TRD Sport trim doesn’t have it.

Your sig says you have a 60 series so I assume you know the difference between part-time and full-time systems. Tacoma doesn't need a CDL just like the 60 doesn't because they have no differential in the transfer case. 4H in the Taco is the same as 4H with CDL on in LC.

Taco sport does have a rear LSD diff vs a rear locking diff but nothing to do with transfer case operation.

 

[stonepa]

Your sig says you have a 60 series so I assume you know the difference between part-time and full-time systems. Tacoma doesn't need a CDL just like the 60 doesn't because they have no differential in the transfer case. 4H in the Taco is the same as 4H with CDL on in LC.

Taco sport does have a rear LSD diff vs a rear locking diff but nothing to do with transfer case operation.

No matter - it doesn’t help. Glad for drift wood.

 

[kcjaz]

I often use the CDL on my LCs and miss it when I don’t have it. Borrowed my buddies 2023 Tacoma TRD Sport a couple of weeks ago to drive the beach here in Homer to gather coal for this winter. I usually just use the 100 but he offered and it would mean less trips because of the larger Tacoma bed. Anyways I got stuck in soft sand of the type that has never troubled me before. 4WD low and airing down made no difference. The CDL would have helped as I basically had 2WD with the open diffs front and rear and low traction. Finally jammed enough driftwood under all 4 tires to get out. Wish i had the CDL and learned the TRD Sport trim doesn’t have it.

I have a TRD Off Road Taco. No CDL because it isn't full time 4WD but switching from 2WD to 4Hi or 4lo is essentially locking the "center differential" as on a full time AWD vehicle with an actual center diff. I would think that if the Sport had a 4WD mode (i.e. wasn't an actual 2WD truck) you were essentially center diff locked as there wouldn't be any way for the transfer case to slip.

 

[kcjaz]

Food for thought

great videos. I love that guy. I want his lego kit!

The real vehicles are pretty good too and watching them has made me think. on trails like Black Bear Pass, with tight hair pins going down, I tend to unlock my center diff so I can turn tighter. I've never felt like it was so steep that I couldn't stop or I didn't have control but the videos do show depending on grade and how loose the ground is, that could happen. Maybe when in doubt, lock it, is a good practice.

 

[Mrtwooooo]

The guy that does the Driving Sports TV youtube channel did a review on a GX recently. He was out on his off road course and was struggling on a muddy section of hill.. Most of the video was him going back and forth trying to make progress... He realized later on that the center diff wasn't locked. Once he locked it he started to make progress.

 

[TimCFJ40]

If you're going to stick to pavement and graded dirt roads like 99% of folks do with their 200s, you won't need it. If you'll go anywhere beyond graded dirt roads, it'd be wise to have it working. Mine is finicky, but if I am diligent about using it a few times after getting everything good and warmed up (30 min drive will do it), it starts working fine.

 

[krice118]

The more research I do, the more it sounds like the Lx570 might be capable enough for my needs without me having to have the CDL repaired now...at least

Help me understand though.

The Torsen LSD is on the center diff or the rear diff? (2008 lx570). If on the center diff, does that mean it essentially performs a similar function that the lock would?

Also, how the F do I get Atrac to work? is that just automatic on this year's tech? I don't see any specific atrac buttons.

Without the CDL, atrac might still be able to save the day? or do I need the CDL working in order for atrac to work??

Fix the CDL.

 

[pvchaitanya]

what do you think of driving in loose sand with CDL?
Will it help or get me stuck?

 

[TCH2FLY]

what do you think of driving in loose sand with CDL?
Will it help or get me stuck?

As with most offroad situations your technique is the most important aspect. Locking the CDL will not cause you to get stuck nor will locking it magically get you unstuck. Sand requires momentum and proper throttle application ... I have run heavy sand in 2whl drive vehicles and done fine. Last weekend I had to sit while a Jeep tried to get out of a sand pit because they went to slowly and then punched it only to get buried.

 

[pvchaitanya]

As with most offroad situations your technique is the most important aspect. Locking the CDL will not cause you to get stuck nor will locking it magically get you unstuck. Sand requires momentum and proper throttle application ... I have run heavy sand in 2whl drive vehicles and done fine. Last weekend I had to sit while a Jeep tried to get out of a sand pit because they went to slowly and then punched it only to get buried.

Thanks for posting your experience!, agree that we have to maintain momentum and not over or under throttle. So in cases where I was already maintaining the momentum, CDL or not didn't seem to be a noticeable difference to me. But I had once incident where I started driving from rest with CDL on and my tire immediately got stuck. Another time I have to stop to make a U turn on sand, this is where I wasn't sure if having it in CDL is making me stuck or otherwise. I know my tires are stuck and didn't want to experiment giving more trottle. I choose to back out of the stuck position and pick up momentum in a different track.
I think you answered my point, its not the CDL on or off which will get me unstuck, just knowing how to get out of the situation by driving differently will get me unstuck.

 

[TeCKis300]

Thanks for posting your experience!, agree that we have to maintain momentum and not over or under throttle. So in cases where I was already maintaining the momentum, CDL or not didn't seem to be a noticeable difference to me. But I had once incident where I started driving from rest with CDL on and my tire immediately got stuck. Another time I have to stop to make a U turn on sand, this is where I wasn't sure if having it in CDL is making me stuck or otherwise. I know my tires are stuck and didn't want to experiment giving more trottle. I choose to back out of the stuck position and pick up momentum in a different track.
I think you answered my point, its not the CDL on or off which will get me unstuck, just knowing how to get out of the situation by driving differently will get me unstuck.

I live in the southwest which is sand and silt city wheeling out in the desert. There's lots of different types of sand, affected by temp and moisture, and its difficulty to move through. Some of which, you better bring your A-game with every tool, technique, and tires/pressure that have enough floatation for weight. Sand dunes are awesome to play in.

CDL is one of those tools I use a lot, and on the fly when getting into sand, obstacles, or grades. It ensures stable transmission of power between the two axles to maintain momentum. It also automatically disables traction control which is another killer of momentum. If you got stuck with CDL, you would have gotten stuck without it too.

Without CDL, the 200-series is AWD. Still awesome in that mode supported by ATRAC, which is on par and a bit better than something like a Subaru driveline. That center locker is what makes it a legit 4x4 on par (and better) than Taco's and such. As you've gotten stuck before in the sand, I would recommend you fix it to have that capability again.

CRAWL works much better with the center locked.

 

[pvchaitanya]

@TCH2FLY , your DP looks scary. Is it real?