I have a 02 4rnr and only went offroad a couple of times. I was reading the manul (what a concept) and came across the section on the Center Locking Dif button. I have used 4WD but never new what this was for. The book does not give you much of a definition. Could someone clue me in on when I would need to use this while playing offroad?

 

You would use that when you get into a situation where you find one axle having traction problems. With an open center diff, if tire(s) on one axle lose traction, you are stuck. With the center diff. locked, you need to lose traction on both ends before you are stopped.

What kind of terrain? Climbing steep hills or ledges where there is little weight on the front end for example.

 

4Crawler: I think you are talking about diff lock, not center diff lock. Center diff lock on 01+ 4Runners refers to the transfer case, since they did not offer a diff locker on the 4runners after 2000.


Center diff lock in Laymans terms:

The transfer case is locked together in "Center Lock Mode" so the front and rear driveshafts spin at the same time, no matter what.

Having the center diff lock unlocked is like having 1wheel drive when you lose traction offroad.

 

I was referring to the Center Diff Lock and as you note (and I noted) it locks the transfer case differential such that torque can be sent to both axles. With it open (unlocked) lose traction on one axle (front or rear) and no torque is sent to the other axle. Lock it and toque will be sent to both axles regardless of the traction.

 

Ok, makes sense. I was just making sure, since your post was a little confusing. Especially for the n00bs lol

 

I have an 01 with the centre diff lock and I use it for slow crawling on rocks or very loose stuff. Like Roger said it's useful any time you could get a wheel off the ground or loose traction on one end.

One thing to remember is you need to drive in a straight line for about 20 feet or so while it locks. So turn it on before you get stuck.