Is Center Differential Lock good idea?

[Thatothersmaylive_uscg]

Hi all. I recently bought my first Land Rover, a 2000 Discovery. It has the traction control-automaticly engaging four wheel drive. I've seen in the tech section of this site that you can instal a CDL that will allow you to engage the four wheel drive manually, you know, override that TC system. Greg Davis has a write up on doing that manually in there, and Craig Kobayashi has something on doing it electronicly.

What I was wondering is, is that a good idea to go messing with that system like that? I don't want to cause problems with my ride by trying to rig something like that CDL up.

Thanks a bunch!

Ed

 

[paulc]

Hey Ed, you should probably read up on how your Disco 2 works & how the systems work with each other. Your Disco has permanent 4 wheel drive?it is always in 4 wheel drive.

 

[Joey]

Welcome to DWEB....

You are not overriding the TC system, you basically are locking the Center Diff, which if you do or plan to do any offroading is a good thing.

Currently your Disco is:

Front Diff = Open
Center Diff = Open
Rear Diff = Open

The TC if I recall correctly and I am sure someone on here will let me know if I am wrong. Basically applies the brake to the wheel or wheels with the least amount of traction. This helps you keep going when a wheel spins.

Adding the CDL, then you have equal amounts of power going to the front and the rear of the vehicle (not good on pavement, but good off road or in heavy snow).

With CDL:

Front Diff = Open
Center Diff = Locked
Rear Diff = Open.

Hope this helps,

 

[Ex CCS Racer]

Hey Ed, you should probably read up on how your Disco 2 works & how the systems work with each other. Your Disco has permanent 4 wheel drive?it is always in 4 wheel drive.

Don't mistake 4wd for 'all wheel drive'(or whatever-wheel-drive as I call it). They are not the same.

 

[rovercanus]

CDL and traction control actually work well together. When CDL is on, you do not hit TC even half as much which is good as TC is hard on your differentials.
You can also disable TC by engaging the CDL before starting the engine.
I'm using the GBR solenoid kit and have had no problems.

 

[Blue]

install CDL

is it a good idea? yes

it certainly is not a bad idea.

 

[Double0Disco]

I also have a 2000 D2. Where is the best place to get the CDL kit? Is it difficult to install?

 

[Snwbord24]

Have you done a search for CDL or center differential lock on this site?

 

[Double0Disco]

I have done some searching but not much as of yet. I just started looking into the CDL option. I'm getting ready to do a 2" lift this weekend and figured the CDL would be my next move.

 

[jettfuel]

You could:
use a 10mm combination wrench and reach under there every time you want to engage or disengage.

Or you could use this:
http://www.rovershoppe.com/cdl_handle.html

Or this:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=33731&item=7936116734&rd=1
http://www.boothroyd.com/cdl.htm
http://www.roverdude.com/pages/2/index.htm (scan to bottom of page)

Or you could retrofit a DI linkage, or you could retrofit a '04 DII linkage, or you could buy a soleinoid kit, or you could.............I guess that's it. Off the top of my head.
Just research it out. I got a '00 DII also and am still trying to figure out which way to go. Actually I am just waiting to find a '04 linkage to retrofit.
Good luck and be sure to search before you ask!
Jett

 

[craig]

AMV makes an electric solenoid one too.

One thing you are going to want to do is to verify that the CDL kit you install works. The dash will light up when it is engaged, and go out when it is not engaged but this is not always reliable (I know, my transfer case blew). Here is how you check that the CDL engages and most importantly disengages manually:

1. chock / block your rear wheels
2. Jack up one front wheel
3. Put the truck in neutral
4. verify that the wheel you jacked up spins freely
5. Engage the CDL
6. verify that the wheel you jacked up does not spin (because it is locked and the other tires are on the ground it won't spin)
7. Disengage the CDL
8. Verify that the wheel you jacked up spins freely again.
9. Lower the truck and enjoy your ride.
10. Rinse and repeat. (I check mine monthly, and each time I know that I am going to be going somewhere that I will use the CDL. It takes 5 minutes if you have a floor jack and chock blocks handy in your garage.)

--Craig

 

[cmoore207]

Does anybody know about how late they continued to manufacture D2's with CDL even though they didn't have the selector in the cab?

Walter, didn't you say your truck fall under that scenario?

 

[craig]

Does anybody know about how late they continued to manufacture D2's with CDL even though they didn't have the selector in the cab?

Walter, didn't you say your truck fall under that scenario?

All vehicles with the LT230 transfer box. This includes Discoveries from 1990 - 2001 and Range Rovers 85-88.

--Craig

 

[Snwbord24]

Don't all DII's have the LT230? They just stopped putting the CDL stuff in it right?

 

[rmuller]

Don't all DII's have the LT230? They just stopped putting the CDL stuff in it right?

1999-2001 [Only the first say 1/4 to 1/2 of 2001's have it though].. I have a 2001 and it's nipple-less

 

[Kerr]

im new to the rovers as well, however on the wifes mercedes it has a center lock, rear lock, and front locking diffs. In huge letters on a orange sticker above the buttons for the lockers it says to never use on pavement.

Just remember that any time something in the drive train is locked its that much harder on parts.

 

[rovercanus]

Does anybody know about how late they continued to manufacture D2's with CDL even though they didn't have the selector in the cab?

Walter, didn't you say your truck fall under that scenario?

Up to early to mid 2001 still had the nipple. Mine is a 2000.
You said you checked yours? If not we can feel up there next time you're in the area.

 

[rmuller]

Up to early to mid 2001 still had the nipple. Mine is a 2000.
You said you checked yours? If not we can feel up there next time you're in the area.

Whoa there....

 

[cmoore207]

Ah, I though you were an '01 as well Walter. I haven't checked the manufacture date but I seem to remember seeing on the Carfax report when I bought it that the original owner took delivery in like February of '01, but I can't really be sure now, so I am keeping my fingers crossed I am CDL ready. I have no clue how to check for it myself though.

 

[cmoore207]

By the way, I really wanted to make some sort of joke about groping for nipples, but I couldn't come up with anything snappy yet tasteful.