Hello,

This week I'll be buying a 1998 LR Disco and am confused about the differentials. The sites I've been to seem to say a couple different things. First, does the 1998 have front and rear differential locks? I thought I read about a center differential lock. Which is it and how would a center differential lock work if it has one? If I plan on taking it on the trail, is there an upgrade I need to make this trailworthy?
I checked the first 15 pages of forum discussions, but didn't find anything. Thanks in advance!

TJC952

 

Your trk has a center diff lock, basically it locks all four wheels together so that they all have the same amount power. For example, if you have 100lbs of tourge you will have 25lbs at each wheel.
No, there is nothing that you need to do to make this trk trailworthy, it comes from the factory trailworthy.
If the CDL is stuck here is a link on how to get it working again.
http://home.twcny.rr.com/eeibooks/ro...codifflock.htm
You will not find a more capable 4x4 anywhere.

 

The above post is false..

The center diff lock is only on the transfer case. The front and rear driveshafts are locked together. The front and rear axles are still open differentials. You have to get a true trac or ARB air locker to make your diffs lockable. Without the CDL locked, you can still spin one tire. With it locked, you have to spin one on the front and one on the back.

 

Ditto.
As for up grades, don't go there until a full summer of wheeling and learning how to drive the truck first then consider your options. Up grades will only get you in trouble till you know how to drive and not get stuck while stock.

 

Arent the front and rear driveshafts locked together all the time? It is full time four wheel drive.

 

yes, full time four wheel, but the transfer case is like an open differential. It is to save tires. Drive in tight circles in a parking lot sometime. You can feel it bind up and start hopping. That's why you shouldn't drive on hard pavement with it locked. You will tear up your driveline

 

So when you lock the CDL it locks all four wheels together?
I realize that the diffs allow the wheels to spin at different speeds, but it puts the same amount of power to each axle, right?
I am just trying to fully understand so that I dont give bad advice.

 

That clears it up, thanks for all the help!

 

It locks the front and rear driveshafts together. The right and left tire on each axle are not locked together. Just an open differential, no limited slip whatsoever, just open. This is also why you should engage the lock if you are jacking the vehicle. The parking brake acts on the rear driveshaft, and the front could still slip if not locked to the rear.

 

Does your run of the mill 4x4 NOT have a CDL? Is this is what makes a Land Rover superior to the standard 4x4 system? Sorry, I don't mean to beat a dead horse.