You're in Texas.
It snowed.
Stay home.
It snowed.
Stay home.
Follow along with the video below to see how to install our site as a web app on your home screen.
Note: This feature may not be available in some browsers.
This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate
links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.
hey man.All the 7 pin mod does is overcome the fact that Toyota removed this function in high range, presumably due to the AWD functionality in high being considered enough.
Manual control of CDL is great to have, you can stay in AWD low range for tight offroad switchbacks, but really it just adds back in something Toyota removed from a dash button perspective. The “multi-mode” t-cases found in certain 3rd Gen 4Runners and 1st Gen Sequoias have separate engagement for AWD and 4WD (locked CDL), and outside of not having 2WD, you have that as well.
I use high range CDL all the time in winter as it is more stable than AWD in some variable conditions like changing lanes at speed with more snow depth between lanes. Just play around with it - only “rule” is you’ll get binding in tight corners with CDL on I’m high traction conditions.
These cases are gear driven and a lot more tolerant use on say dry pavement than chain driven cases in my experience, but the idea that diff locks are “bad” in snow is still going strong because people drove CJ7’s 35 years ago and still say so on the internet.
I run AWD until either I’m losing traction in deep snow or AWD is starting to feel squirrelly at speed, and then CDL is on.
hey man. can you please help me with the difference between putting the transfer case in Low and my shifting the transmission into 2 or Low?^^^^
I like this ability too. In fact used it yesterday and today. In the conditions the OP posted (looks like the dry, powder snow most of Texas got the other day) he should be able to navigate that hill with the CDL locked or unlocked, but locked would be easier. I put about 50 miles on mine yesterday in the same type of snow up and down a lot hills. Sometimes with CDL on...other times not, but in high range the entire time.
Just shifted to a lower gear with the transmission when going down hills to use 'engine braking' to slow down instead of the vehicle brakes.
There are also times when I shift the Tcase into low range with the CDL unlocked when moving heavy things around here on the ranch. So to me...having the CDL switch AND the 7 pin 'mod' is the way to go...since it gives you complete control.
In the next day or so....we are supposed get ICE and that's whole 'nother ball game.
All the 7 pin mod does is overcome the fact that Toyota removed this function in high range, presumably due to the AWD functionality in high being considered enough.
Manual control of CDL is great to have, you can stay in AWD low range for tight offroad switchbacks, but really it just adds back in something Toyota removed from a dash button perspective. The “multi-mode” t-cases found in certain 3rd Gen 4Runners and 1st Gen Sequoias have separate engagement for AWD and 4WD (locked CDL), and outside of not having 2WD, you have that as well.
I use high range CDL all the time in winter as it is more stable than AWD in some variable conditions like changing lanes at speed with more snow depth between lanes. Just play around with it - only “rule” is you’ll get binding in tight corners with CDL on I’m high traction conditions.
These cases are gear driven and a lot more tolerant use on say dry pavement than chain driven cases in my experience, but the idea that diff locks are “bad” in snow is still going strong because people drove CJ7’s 35 years ago and still say so on the internet.
I run AWD until either I’m losing traction in deep snow or AWD is starting to feel squirrelly at speed, and then CDL is on.
lots of questions. sorry.Unlike your Tacoma, the 80 is full-time 4WD. That's why it has the CDL and viscous coupler. The VC provides the slip that you don't get when on the road in a part-time 4WD if you shift the Tacoma TC from 2 High to 4 High. There is no equivalent to 2 High in the 80 series TC, which may be where this confusion starts.
Of course, if you got stuck by slippery stuff under one end of the truck, then you'd hopelesslly spin your wheels there and the truck doesn't go. That's where the CDL comes in. It does what your Tacoma does where you switch into either 4 High or 4 Low and it locks the drivetrain together front and rear, splitting the torque 50/50 front to rear. But you also have the VC in the 80 which can split the torque a variable amount between the front and rear wheels. Which you want to use on snow and ice varies, Just be careful until you're comfortable with the CDL locked. With the CDL locked, it operates equivalent to the 50/50 split of of the part-time case.
hey man.
trying to keep up here and i do realize i am asking a lot of different types of questions. i am just trying to put it al together.
pin 7 allows me to run “4 high” with the CDL locked? and also to run “4 Low” without the CDL locked?
i think i am getting tripped up because i don’t really understand what “4 Hi” or “4 Low” actually means.
i mean in my taco i manually lock the front hubs which - well i guess literally ties the front wheels to the (already) spinning front driveshaft? or something or other?
what is the 2H here exactly?(!)
View attachment 2587347
hey man. can you please help me with the difference between putting the transfer case in Low and my shifting the transmission into 2 or Low?
i don’t quite get this.
on a motorcycle or on a stick shift truck i guess 2 would be - well would it be second? and Low would be like first?
and it sort of gives me more torque but less wheel spin?
what is putting it in Low at the transfer case ries the CDL unlocked doing again please?
can you hope me with this bit?
“I use high range CDL all the time in winter as it is more stable than AWD in some variable conditions like changing lanes at speed with more snow depth between lanes.”
you are clicking the CDL on at speed and this is giving you front and rear drive shafts locked together and it sort of gives you a more solid - kind of rigid - base?
lots of questions. sorry.
what is the difference between H2, H4 and Low 4 in the tacoma again please? maybe i should start there..
for what it’s worth that’s ice under there. i mean i am not totally asking this question just to get up that hill but i realized i don’t understand a couple things so figured to ask and use it as sort of an example...
All these post and no one has said it yet....A Tacoma does not have a CDL option. It has 2hi, 4hi, 4low, No VC to engage or dis-engage. NOT an option on a Tacoma.
Sorry to be the one. Now if you want to by-pass the computer and engage the rear locker in high range or 2wd, that is another story.
All these post and no one has said it yet....A Tacoma does not have a CDL option. It has 2hi, 4hi, 4low, No VC to engage or dis-engage. NOT an option on a Tacoma.
Sorry to be the one. Now if you want to by-pass the computer and engage the rear locker in high range or 2wd, that is another story.
Explain the difference between locking a Taco t-case in 4Hi and locking an 80 case in 4Hi with the switch that the 7-pin mod provides.
Please.
Main advantage of the Pin 7 mod is it allows you to be in 4 low without the CDL locking front and rear together.
Good for some applications. If I'm running in snow I'd rather be locked.
(or that's my take on it anyway)
End result is the same. Both Tcases are in high range, both have the output shafts turning at the same speed.
With the Taco you (traditional Tcase) you just shift into high range. With the 80 series (pin 7 mod AND CDL switch) you select high range and punch the CDL button.
Different ways of getting to the same destination.
can you hope me with this bit?
“I use high range CDL all the time in winter as it is more stable than AWD in some variable conditions like changing lanes at speed with more snow depth between lanes.”
you are clicking the CDL on at speed and this is giving you front and rear drive shafts locked together and it sort of gives you a more solid - kind of rigid - base?
Ok, I will bite. Less moving parts. No electronics to fail, simple, move a lever and it is in 4wd, no computer, no switch, etc. You have already explained the benefits of AWD. The OP showed pics of a shift lever from a Tacoma, not a 80. It sounded like he thinks the Tacoma has a CDL feature. Unless I am reading it wrong I though he was asking about his Tacoma not an 80. See post #1, 2, 16, 25...he keeps asking about his Tacoma???I wanted him to explain the difference between 4Hi (a locked center) and CDL (a locked center).
Don’t go spoiling my fun.
I have the CDL switch, but haven't done the Pin7 mod.I’d say the main advantage is you can lock in 4Hi. Mechanical AWD is not sufficient in a lot of winter driving cases where low range is not feasible.
AWD low is nice to have, but a tire can always scrub offroad.
Pin 7 mod gives you full control of the CDL. It wont lock in low unless you have CDL ON. The front and rear lockers wont engage until the CDL is locked (Hi or Lo). You can do that without the Pin 7 mod. Put another way... with just the CDL switch ON (and no Pin 7 mod) you can lock front and rear in Hi....you always could in Lo (with or w/o CDL switch). With the Pin 7 mod you wont be able to lock the front and rear in Hi or Lo unless the CDL is ON. The main purpose of the Pin 7 mod is an unlocked center diff in Lo...this gives you low gearing without turning restriction. Think narrow trails and boat launches.I have the CDL switch, but haven't done the Pin7 mod.
Doesn't that allow me to lock front and rear in 4 Hi?
That was needlessly complicated:Pin 7 mod gives you full control of the CDL. It wont lock in low unless you have CDL ON. The front and rear lockers wont engage until the CDL is locked (Hi or Lo). You can do that without the Pin 7 mod. Put another way... with just the CDL switch ON (and no Pin 7 mod) you can lock front and rear in Hi....you always could in Lo (with or w/o CDL switch). With the Pin 7 mod you wont be able to lock the front and rear in Hi or Lo unless the CDL is ON. The main purpose of the Pin 7 mod is an unlocked center diff in Lo...this gives you low gearing without turning restriction. Think narrow trails and boat launches.
Experts: Did I get this right?