I've got an HSE with the locking rear locker diff, coming from a D2 I rather like the manual CDL and miss it on the LR on the LR3. Curious if I could somehow take control of the system with either cutting wires, removing the harness and wiring the locker to the battery (with a switch to either turn it on or off), or a way to control the ECU (or whatever the name of the land rover off-road module is called) with a GAP tool? Also is there any way to "dumbify" the computer or take any control of any traction aids/off-road goodies/front/back power ratios, etc? Basically any way to trick the computer or control the computer?

 

Im not aware of any ways this can be done. Also not sure if the commands are sent over the CAN BUS network or just simple signal wires. If it were just signal wires it would be pretty easy to send a 5V signal to the actuator motors and engage the lockers. Since no one has done this, I’m thinking it’s all CAN BUS, which might be doable but is more complex.

 

I might add....have you done much wheelin' in the LR3 as of yet? It's kind of awesome to just let the computer deal with the locking/un-locking and you focus on line selection, throttle input and steering. There is no way you're going to be smarter/better than the computer, and there is plenty to do otherwise so you don't have to feel like you're not part of the process. Any concern about latency would be put to bed with a few times out on the trail. The engagement of the lockers is FAST...and it's not like the T/C where it's reactionary.

 

I dunno, I kinda like the e-diff and the way it works. Usually when people have issue its because they don't understand how to drive these types of systems. Which is 100% understandable! Took me a bit to learn too. But to answer, no. There is no way to direct wire it. And I know of no way to manual trick it via GAP or other means. I suppose someone could create some sorta programmed box. But the diff is variable. It is even "working" when you are in just regular street mode but has tolerances on how far it locks. So its not a locker that is locked or unlocked, it is clutch driven. And fo course every program has different sensitivities to how it should lock up, etc. So basically, its kinda complex on the programing end and a bit complex mechanically. But I found it to be just fine - in fact there are plenty of LR3 owners that lack rear lockers and pretty much dont fee like they really need one. With all that said, I do get that it would be nice to "lock" it as you site idle before going all bro splash mode in a huge bog puddle.

 

From what I understand, Grass/Gravel/Snow or Rock Crawl will keep the Difs locked.
That may be the manual input you requested

Study the modes, test them out, you might find you don't miss the D2 anymore!
Here is a nice guide for you to reference:

https://www.disco3.co.uk/gallery/alb...ponseImage.JPG

 

Not so sure about Grass/Gravel/Snow....that mode is pretty tame when it comes to the lockers. Rock Crawl is definitely the closest anyone will get to pseudo-manual selection of the rear diff. It will still go unlocked when it needs to though. I agree, you won't miss your D2 once you take the LR3 off-road.

 

Interesting....that description of the TR modes doesn't match up with what I have experienced. Maybe it changed on later models? The only mode I know of that automatically raises the suspension is Rock Crawl.

 

I don’t think any of the modes locks any of the differentials, but they do change how quickly the diffs will lock in response to wheel spin. The rest of the summaries look accurate.

Also, I was able to confirm the diff actuators are operated over the Medium speed CAN BUS network. To get the diffs to lock on command would require decoding the ID messages the ECU sends and then spoofing it.

 

I agree....the different modes only change the tolerance level of the torque with which the lockers lock.....Rock Crawl being the most sensitive.

 

Guess I expected the Brits to know their stuff a bit better