LX Diffs

[Sota]

New here and new to the world of cruisers. I come from the Jeep world.

I just picked up my first LX470, it’s a 98 model. I’m hoping to learn about the diffs in these things. I have the button for the center locker. From what I’ve read, I don’t have a front or rear locker. Now, my plan is a bit of an overland build and DD, I live in Minnesota so winter driving is a daily thing for much of the year. Should I add lockers front and rear? Will the current setup meet my needs? When should I engage the center locker?

Thanks for any help and I’m excited to be a member here!

 

[Riviera]

Ok, so................ someone, anyone, correct me if I misspeak. Your LX should have an open front differential and a limited slip rear differential. While the differential in your transfer case automatically locks in 4 low, it is selectable in 4 high. You should only engage the center diff when on gravel, snow, etc slippery surfaces. Whether or not you need front and rear lockers depends on what you're going to do with it. Try it out for now and add as you need.

OH, and Welcome to the addiction!!

 

[krice118]

Yes your lx has a limited slip in the rear and open front.

Winter tires are e better investment than lockers for winter driving

Drive it and enjoy! Mod as needed!

 

[Trunk Monkey]

Read through your owner's manual, great explanation of the differentials and many other nifty things.

 

[bucfl]

Products | Locking Differential | Aussie Locker By Torq Masters

www.torqmasters.com

I was just looking into a rear auto locker for a 2001 and found these guys. Doesn't look like they have one 2001 but for 98 they do.

Anyone found a company with an auto locker that fits a 2001 rear?

 

[Sota]

Thank you everyone for the information! I thought Jeeps were addicting but these things are just amazing. Also, I think I fit in a little better with this community lol.

 

[ClassyJalopy]

Welcome to the madness. Your WI neighbor with a 98 LX here. Our trucks have limited slip diffs in the back. Unfortunately, I found mine to be not very sure footed in the slippery/wintery conditions.
Pre-2000 mode years did not get Vehicle stability control (VSC) so if one of the wheels starts losing traction, there is no electric nanny to correct that. In fact, since the power follows the path of least resistance, the slipping wheel will actually get most of the power!!

I have a new set of BFG KO2 AT tires. I think a dedicated set of snow tires would be a huge improvement. For comparison, my BMW 530xi with dedicated snow tires was way more sure-footed and I basically trusted it a lot more at highway speeds than the LX.

Having said that, it has been fantastic without lockers on all types of other off roading/overlanding scenarios. The only time I have gotten by self stuck is deep mud. But even then I think a good set of mud tires would have helped a lot more than the lockers.

Like someone else said above, drive it and decide for yourself

 

[Leandro]

I drove my 99 LX in northern IL for a few years while living there.
These trucks are amazing on the snow, the full time AWD makes huge difference.
A good piece of advice though, be cautious with speed, these are almost 3 ton trucks and they won't stop easily in the smudge. Inertia is a real thing.

 

[Hugh Calgary]

I have a 1998 Land Cruiser and I put a set of Nokian Hakkapeliitta 9 SUV tires on this winter. Had no problem in lots of winter conditions. Never needed the rear locker at all. I have a set of BFG KOs for non winter driving. I compared the 2 tires in the fall when I switched over. The BFG KO are better than most tires. I would rate them a 7/10 in snow. The Nokians are a big step up. A studded full on winter tire. I would rate them 9.5/10 in snow. The studs are amazing on ice.
Another way to understand how different the BFG KO feels vs how the Nokians feel on snow is it is the same difference as shifting from 2 wheel drive to 4 wheel drive.


NOKIAN HAKKAPELIITTA 9 SUV

 

[Sota]

I have a 1998 Land Cruiser and I put a set of Nokian Hakkapeliitta 9 SUV tires on this winter. Had no problem in lots of winter conditions. Never needed the rear locker at all. I have a set of BFG KOs for non winter driving. I compared the 2 tires in the fall when I switched over. The BFG KO are better than most tires. I would rate them a 7/10 in snow. The Nokians are a big step up. A studded full on winter tire. I would rate them 9.5/10 in snow. The studs are amazing on ice.
Another way to understand how different the BFG KO feels vs how the Nokians feel on snow is it is the same difference as shifting from 2 wheel drive to 4 wheel drive.


NOKIAN HAKKAPELIITTA 9 SUV

I’ve honestly never heard of those tires. I’ll definitely check them out. I’m born and raised southern so I’m getting used to these winter shenanigans.

 

[MN CZ]

Welcome and great to see plenty of advice from others. Also from MN. Honestly, my truck does just fine with LT tires, mainly due to the VSC that debuted after your truck. (can't use studs here in MN, although the tires are fine to use, and many studable tires are extreme winter tires)

As others said, stopping is where a nice winter tire would help, and also where all those toys have no impact. That said, I don't offroad or run any trails.

 

[Sota]

Welcome and great to see plenty of advice from others. Also from MN. Honestly, my truck does just fine with LT tires, mainly due to the VSC that debuted after your truck. (can't use studs here in MN, although the tires are fine to use, and many studable tires are extreme winter tires)

As others said, stopping is where a nice winter tire would help, and also where all those toys have no impact. That said, I don't offroad or run any trails.

Thanks for the info! What part of MN are you in? I could use some rust advice lol. I’m in the south Metro

 

[MN CZ]

North metro here. Honestly, I have not done anything for rust. But I can tell, after 1 full and 1 half winter, I do need to do something. It's a 2005, was in South Dakota for a few years, southern states before.

Doing a lot of reading here, sounds like the best option is hitting the truck with a wire brush and some POR 15 rust killer, then a coat of POR 15 sealant. It's more laziness on my part than anything.

 

[Sota]

North metro here. Honestly, I have not done anything for rust. But I can tell, after 1 full and 1 half winter, I do need to do something. It's a 2005, was in South Dakota for a few years, southern states before.

Doing a lot of reading here, sounds like the best option is hitting the truck with a wire brush and some POR 15 rust killer, then a coat of POR 15 sealant. It's more laziness on my part than anything.

That was my plan as well. This past winter was my 2nd here

 

[Boethius]

I'm doing battle with my rusty 99 LX 470 here in New England. Just had it sprayed with NH Oil Undercoating. We had our 06 Sequoia done previously and it really seems to bond/penetrate rusty spots. The spray down of the entire undercarriage was $179 but they wire brushed/air sprayed it first for another $50. Hopefully it buys me a few more years