I am in the process of installing an 04 diff lock on my 00 disco. It looks like i got the linkage hooked up and it working (though no light on dash).

My first problem/question is: I attached the diff lock cable and hi lo cable to the new shifter. I can't tell if hi-lo is working even after putting it in neutral. Should I be able to test at this stage or do I need to bolt it in place to move it? Is testing this a big deal...i hate to button it all up and find I did it wrong.

Next question/problem. I am having a hard time lining up the shifter plate with the 4 screws to the sheet metal plate..I may need to enlarge the cut-out square another quarter of inch as that may be an issue but...did you guys find it easier to reattach the plate with the 13 rivets first or was it easier to first attach the shifter plate?

Finally, regarding the diff lock light on the dash...it didn't come on when I tested the diff lock cable and I understand from reading previous posts that I may have to move the vehicle to see it.....but I am also wondering if the CDL detection switch could be an issue --- where is this switch....is it already plugged in or do I need to find it and plug it in somewhere?

Thanks for any help you can provide...

Matt

 

So you should be able to test it before you put all back. Just use sheet metal screws to put the shifter plate back on. Then test it. If it's not working the sheet metal screws will come out super easy and you can get right back in there. Don't worry about putting the whole console back together. But I think you do need to attach the shifter plate because it's very tough to shift the CDL and hi/lo without it bolted down. You can then also test the CDL light. The switch has two prongs sticking up with two wires attached. I'm not sure I understand your second question.

 

O I think I get your second question now. You will want to get the CDL shifter bolted on the plate before you attach the plate to the truck. Are you using the original 2000 plate? Or did your shifter come with an 04 plate?

 

Thanks, BBJames. So I got the shifter plate on but I am finding that CDL engages nicely but now I can seem to shift out of Hi into lo in either diff lock mode or in regular not locked while in neutral.

This always stumped me even when I had the 04 diff lock sitting on my table, I could not move the hi-lo shifter until I depressed the triangle-like mechanism with my finger. Then it operated as normal and very smooth.

I can't figure out if I messed up linking the exiting hi-lo cable or if something else is in play....any thoughts or ideas?

Thanks!

Matt

 

You've probably already thought of this, but the '04 shifter requires a significantly larger hole in the sheet metal in order to move far enough to engage low gear. I made the same modification to my 2000 Disco and failed to cut enough clearance the first time around. After a little cutting, and more than a little sarcasm from SWMBO, all worked as intended.

 

Yes, i have plenty of room to go into lo but i guess i'll try to reinstall it again

 

I might have missed this, but did you remove the solenoid from the '04 shifter? Your D2 has a solenoid in the Center Diff, to prevent gear changes while not in Neutral, so the one on the shifter isn't needed and will prevent movement of the shifter.

It can be easily removed by cutting wire on the back of the shifter, and removing the silicone seal and the ring clip, at which point it will pop right out into the trash. Some suggest removing the one in the Diff as well, just to prevent future problems, though I didn't go that far.