I (heart) the 7-pin mod

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OK, I am not sure why I can't grasp this 7 pin thing. This fourth option is something I haven't read yet. You can un-lock the CDL when in low? So how does this work? You put it in Lo and push the CDL button and bingo it un-locks?
Oh and I have to get my CDL switch from either Slee or a Hazard Tercell button at the junk yard before I can do this pin 7 mod correct.

OK lets back up.

on a stock FZJ80 there is no CDL switch, the CDL locks up when the T-case is shifted into low.


There is a switch on the T-case near where the shifter goes in, after the shifter has moved from the high range gears to the low range gears this switch sends a signal to a relay, the relay see's this and powers the CDL to lock, that signal comes into the relay on a blue and black wire to pin number 7 hence the name of the mod, the only way to unlock the CDL is to go back to high range so stock you have two options,

High, CDL unlocked
Low, CDL locked

When you add the CDL switch you can then hit the switch to lock the CDL at any time, so you can lock the CDL wile in high range, so now you have three options


High CDL open
High CDL locked
Low CDL locked

But you still do not have the fourth because not matter what the switch position when you shift into low the signal travels down pin 7 and the CDl will be locked,

If you remove the pin 7 signal than that that relay will never see the T-case go into low so it will never automatically lock the center, now with the CDL switch and pin 7 mod the only way that the center ca be locked is via the CDL switch so you have 4 options and complete control of CDL operation.

High CDL open
High CDL locked
Low CDL locked
Low CDL open

T-case gear range and CDL operation are now completely separate and under your control instead of tied. I see why Toyota did it this way, would be hard for the average person who is used to only cars to get their head around a low range much less throwing the mysterious center differential thing in so they took it out of the drivers hands and made it automatic.


If you did the pin 7 mod before getting a switch then you could not lock the center, you would have two options

High, CDL open
Low, CDL open

If you have front and rear lockers you would not be able to lock those either as they require the center to be locked.

Personally I like the real CDL switch even if pricey if only because it has the backlit CDl symbol on it that matches the light, having two hazard switches seams improper to me.
 
with the button and pin 7 you have manual control over your Center Diff (when your put your transfer case in low it will not auto lock your center diff like it does now)
 
OK, thanks for the Dummy's version. Out of the few things I had read on this 7 pin mod I guess I always tied it in with the CDL switch and thought it was only to lock up the CDL when in HI. So the un-locking in LO was new to me and became the wrench in my brain gears. And I suppose you un-lock in low primarily for switch-backs or turning around on the trail. I guess I haven't encountered this on the trail yet?
 
this relates to this thread so I'll post it here. I was wondering, if I have the CDL switch installed and have done the pin7 mod how many different drive options do I have. Here is what I have come up with, is this correct:

High CDL open
High CDL locked
Low CDL open
Low CDL locked
High CDL locked, R locked
High CDL locked F&R locked
Low CDL locked, R locked
Low CDL locked, F&R locked

That makes 8 different drive modes :) . Just another thing to taunt my Jeep friends with :D .
 
Is it even possible to engage the lockers in high?

Can't imagine why that would even be useful.
 
Snow on a wide slope? To exercise the lockers? Because you can?
 
Is it even possible to engage the lockers in high?

Can't imagine why that would even be useful.

CDL switch is requiered. The lockers can be engaged anytime the center diff is locked. Driveing with lockers at speed can be treacherous, you will be amazed how fast you can get sideways when locked axles lose traction.

But, to the point, yes you can lock in high, with CDL switch.

Clint-
 
Busted out the 7 pin mod in two 80s today.
Too easy!

On the second one we didn't even bother removing the ABS ECU.


Just worked aroud it.:D



THANK YOU DAN!!!
 
Kudos,
Can't thank you enough for that 7 pin mod CruiserDan...
It's magical...
We installed the CDL and did the 7 pin mod in about 30 total minutes...
I too heart the 7 pin mod...
:cheers:
Pioneer
 
sorry guys, but I get to a point where I think I know what it is, then I read and get confused again, please help me out!

My understanding: I buy the button from slee, and that opens/closes the pin-7 relay, right?

Isn't my turn knob for the lockers the CDL switch? Are we just calling the button from Slee the CDL button, too? Thanks for the help, think I have it figured out, but just want to make sure.
 
7-pin mod = makes it possible to lock in the VC in high range

Not exactly.

The CDL switch makes it possible to lock the VC in high range.

Pin 7 allows low range without locking the VC.
 
Isn't my turn knob for the lockers the CDL switch?

No. The CDL (Center Diff Lock) switch is a separate button, which the 93-97 LC's did not come with.
 
No. The CDL (Center Diff Lock) switch is a separate button, which the 93-97 LC's did not come with.



93-94 Without ABS and rear disc also have it as a factory installed item.
 
awesome, thank you very much
 
I just did this today. Can't beat freebie upgrades. I'm sure to use it this weekend. Plus I just became locked with factory axles. (thanks Oleg) So I will have a bunch of opitions to play with.
 
Is it even possible to engage the lockers in high?

Can't imagine why that would even be useful.

Once you have the option, its usefullness will become obvious.

With the kind of wheeling we have here, it's not often necessary to roll in 4-low. But, say you're in the middle of a hill ascent at a decent speed but you're losing traction. Instead of stopping, shifting the t-case to "N", and shifting into 4-low to engage the rear locker, you can just slow to a crawl momentarily, engage the rear locker, and resume speed. Once you get used to it, you'll wonder how you ever survived without it.
 
I installed the CDL switch. AOK.

When looking into doing the Pin 7 mod, I found that on my LX450, an "extra" black plastic box was on top of the silver box (the ABS ECU). In the picture shown below from Slee's website, the "extra" black box is where the yellow lines are shown. What is this "extra" box.

I did not finish the job because this thing was in the way.

Any suggestions?

Thanks in advance.
PIN7 copy.webp
 

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