Is there a way to lock the center diff when not in low range? With my Land Cruiser I was able to do this by adding a switch to the wiring harness that was already in the dash and removing a wire from the transmission control module. The trails that I have been on so far in my area are fairly flat then there will be a steep washout and it would be much quicker to get through these if I could just leave it in high but lock the center diff. I might try to track down an operation flow chart for the t-case and related wire diagrams and see if I can figure it out if no one has done this yet.

 

Even in low it does not lock unless needed. The joys of an e-diff. I would suspect it would be possible to override it. My only concern is since its computer controlled, it may read the override as a fault and completely kill it. So you may need a reliable bypass that won't get cut off if the module gets shutdown.

 

It’s been talked about more than a few times but as far as I know no one has made it happen.

Personally I would love the ability to lock it on demand.

Like Dakota said it’s not even always locked in low range. It is controlled as the computer sees fit

 

I'm sure it locks when using one of the terrain response programs.

 

It shouldn't. The diffs only lock when the response system dictates its required. The difference between programs though is the sensitivity though. So with snow/grass/gravel there is a certain amount of wheel slip allowed. But with rock crawl there is much less. I dont recall the percentages. But the diff is operated the same way, the program dictates how soon and how much lock will take place. But in the end, there is no program that will lock and keep the diff locked at all times.

 

Closest thing to manually locking the diff is to put it in Rock Crawl. Although it's not an explicit lock, the torque thresholds for locking are low and the diffs are locked early and often!

A couple asides: I feel like Snow Mode restricts wheel slip quite a bit, mostly by taking away throttle response. To me Mud n Ruts is just right. It's the most versatile and is my go-to on the trails up here in the Pacific Northwest.
Also, while being able to lock it on demand would be nice, I don't think I'm smarter than the computer on that. I've learned to appreciate the E-Lockers.

 

I have found in some cases the cdl is a bit late to the party but overall it works. Also there are some instances where looking at the trail tells me I need cdl engaged before I try to tackle. I know more than the computer at that point and we go to reactive instead of proactive

 

So true, the biggest factor in all this electronic stuff is the driver. To this day most don't know how to use the system properly. For example when people are stuck they tend to completely let off the throttle if they get no movement quickly enough. The problem is once you let off the throttle the traction systems pretty much "resets" to normal. The best thing you can do if keep the throttle going and let the system figure out how to distribute power. With the LR3 this is very noticeable when the center or rear diff locks. Once locked they will usually stay locked so long as throttle constantly applied. One you let go the lockers usually disengage.

But where I myself would appreciate a manual locker is when trying to preempt the need for it. When I know that I will need it or know it will inevitable engage.

 

Yup in these trucks you have to have a consistent pedal or you screw yourself

 

...and note which diff is locked. It always surprised me the combinations used. You have the combos you'd expect like center only or both locked, but sometimes the rear is locked and the center is not. There is no way I'd think of that! I can't really think of a time that my lockers were late to the party. I know that it's true of this style locker, physically and mathematically...but if I sat here and said I could feel that tardiness inertially or that it caused me to get hung up, I'd be a liar. I'm rarely traction-limited. It's usually clearance or angle limitations that get me.

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