Proper Use of Diff-Lock?

Taking mine in for scheduled maintenance and asked dealer to test diff-lock for proper function. It has been slow/difficult to engage/disengage. With a little reading, I found this...anyone disagree with this?
Did I just learn how to use diff-lock correctly? Thanks for comments!

 

What does your OM say about diff lock operation?

 

Clearly, if it's not on the internet I won't read it!

 

There is truth in that. The rear locker engages more reliably when moving slowly (approx 3pm). I haven't found that I need to turn, but it doesn't make it less reliable. 4hi is similar in that it engages easier when moving, but you can be going 60+ mph whereas the locker won't engage above like 3mph. Once engaged, you can go as fast as you like.

 

Yeah, I was always locked into 4low and, moving pretty slow. I tried forward and reverse and in/out of neutral. I has always been unpredictable. Sometimes it is quick both ways but often, it just blinks forever.
The turning makes sense and I've not tried that yet.

 

Because the locker can be finicky when sitting still, I suggest you engage it before you get stuck. On the flip side, the rear locker adds very little above ATRAC/MTS.

 

I've been attempting to engage ahead of an obstacle and then disengage once cleared. It has been such a pain maybe I should just use Crawl?
I've never used it before. Seen the MTS selector but, I guess I'll have to read the manual to see what ATRAC is.

 

ATRAC is dumbed down version of MTS that is available with the manual transmission. It has no slip adjustment.

The locker can be finicky, but I've had the most luck engaging it while moving slowly in 1st gear 4lo on a flat low traction surface.

If you are out west wheeling on high traction rocks, YMMV. High traction surfaces allow the drivetrain less slop and make it harder to get things lined up to engage the locker and 4hi. I wheel where it rains/snows and gets slippery.

 

Okay, I have an AT so MTS it is. I'll follow eurowner's advice and re-read the manual now that I'm off-roading fairly regularly. See how to make the most of MTS and CRAWL. Thanks all!

 

What about tips for disengaging? I've only used my locker 1 time, but it took way longer than expected to disengage.

 

Same as engaging. Drive slowly on a low traction surface.

EDIT: I’m usually disengaging the diff lock at the same as 4lo, so I’m sitting still with the clutch to the floor. The locker also had a tendecy to disengage when I turn the engine and off. I tend to get annoyed with it and only use it in specific situations.

 

My manual says all is needed is be in 4x4low and push the button. It would blink till the end of time and never lock. From a dead stop with wheels turned hard left, as soon as I began to move, the diff locked. I was beginning to wonder if it actually had that locking diff till I tried turning.

 

went out this morning for a diff-lock test. Dirt/gravel road, 4low engaged, in Drive at a stop. I engaged-disengaged maybe 10 times during this.

Poked the button and it went right in. Rolled a bit and and disengaged and it came right off.

I rolled and turned a little to change alignment and tried to engage again...blinking light. The instant I started turning it went right in.

Essentially, it worked pretty well most of the time. When it did start blinking, any turning instantly engaged or disengaged.


I read through the manual when the truck was new and poked all the buttons on a dirt road for trial. I never "used" diff-lock until a week or so ago. It seems better today and maybe it was just stiff from not being used? In any event, turning did seem to help and was repeatable.

I was aware of the CRAWL malfunction a couple of years ago, tested and mine was indeed affected. I had fixed by my KDMax tuner and re-tested to confirm but, have still never "used" it. Hope to soon.

I still need to read how to use MTS correctly.

Otherwise, I've spent most of my life with trucks equipped only with 4hi/4lo and limited slip diffs and hardly ever stuck. I've been using the Tacoma the same way and doing well not really engaging the added features. The new technology is awesome but will take a little learning on my part.

 

MTS/ATRAC is simple. Turn it on and forget about it. It’s effect is similar to having front and rear lockers, but works using the brakes rather than being part of the diff.

CAVEAT: you can adjust MTS for the terrain type, but since I’ve never had it, i cannot comment.

 

It does make a lot of noise when it detects wheel slip and does its thing. If you are familiar with the noise ABS brakes make you will recognize it otherwise it You’ll get used to it.

 

CRAWL/MTS/ATRAC is pretty awesome. My 4Runner had ATRAC, and I can only think of a few times when a locker would have been nice. I don't even have the fancy systems on my SR, just the lesser traction control, and I have yet to need a locker. I'm sure I'll find the limits eventually, but so far so good.

 

Thanks for all your input.
I go out with a group of mainly Jeeps. I was using diff-lock on steep rocky climbs at their suggestion. Some jeeps were spinning but I never spun a tire. The lock definitely helped but CRAWL would have had that covered, too I'm sure. Considering that lock is only on the rear and CRAWL works with all 4 wheels, it may be the better choice? On our next outing I'll use the CRAWL if an obstacle presents itself .

So, I see your point about the lock, maybe it's a bit superfluous with CRAWL?
I would like the diff lock a LOT better if I could use in 2hi as a precursor to 4hi, 4lo using MTS and finally 4lo + CRAWL as conditions become more challenging.

 

I always wondered how they thought that machine gun ABS is a better system than actually designing a front differential.

 

Note that crawl control does not increase traction beyond what MTS/ATRAC does. Crawl Control is basically off-road cruise control. It maintains a constant speed so that the driver and concentrate on other things, for example opening a beer