carose725

i sold my taco yestarday then later on found a very nice 2002 4runner sport 4x4 thunder metallic color and bought it all in one day. i have a quick question though what is the button beside the dimmer switch with the 4 tires. i diddnt get a manual and i tried searching.

User 051420

That's your center diff lock. It distributes power 50% front/rear. Use it only offroad.

You have the multi-mode 4x4, so when you click your 4wd on you're good to drive on the street.

carose725

does that help a lot off road, ive heard all about stock rear lockers but never a center diff lock except on landcruisers?

JHupp

The center diff lock basically switches your truck between an AWD(when off) and a 4WD(when on). It locks the center diff, so no axle will get more power then the other. Like gapguy said, use it only off road, I used it on-road, and like using any 4WD on road, the tires will bark(also bad for the drivetrain). Also, you should notice that it turns the VSC off, so you will be able to slide the truck side to side. Check in the little pocket on the driver's side sunvisor, there should be a little card that explains it.

Welcome to the world of confusing 4x4s. This is the 1st multi mode 4x4 I've owned, and every other truck I've ever had had a straight up transfer case with no center diff, and I have been pretty happy. It's nice to cruside down I78 when it's snow covered in the left lane doing 60 with AWD, while every other Ford and Chevy lumbers along in the right lanes because they have to use 4WD. check this thread out, it's a good discussion on how the later 3rd gens 4x4 system works if your interested.

https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f2/2001-2002-full-time-4wd-4wd-systems-80513/

Tanto

Ecchamberlin has fooled a lot of guys into thinking that he has a locker in his rig when he uses the Center Diff Lock you're talking about. He has almost no problems keeping up with a locked rig.

X-AWDriver

Key word is "almost";there still is no substitute for have the wheels truly locked.

JHupp

That is true, I don't think anyone will argue with that, but ATRAC and a ceneter diff lock puts up a damn good fight. I had some snow pictures on here from a while back, and when I almost high cenetered, I was suprised to find that while one wheel was in the air, the other actually got enough traction to back me out. I would say ATRAC will probably give a 70/30 power split between wheels, whereas A locker obviously give a 50/50 split. The only place where ATRAC might have a locker is on a tight trail. You obviously can't lock your front diff, and expect to be able to manevuer in a tight place. ATRAC only engages when you need it, and lets wheels slip if need be.

I love my ATRAC, and the center diff lock is awesome too. Granted I only run 32" ATs, and am not a hardcore wheeler, I have never found a need for lockers. Maybe in the future, I'll throw in an ARB if need arises, but to be honest for a weekend warrior like myself, I think the system works just fine. It will keep up with a rear locked rig all day long, add a front locker, and ok, then you have some competition.