By Chris Hill on Monday, March 19, 2001 - 07:00 am: Edit

I have a 1997 tdi300 manual and am looking at trading up to the current tdi5 series II.

I have heard of some conflicting stories with regard to the effectiveness of the ETC and HDC features. In fact I have heard it said that ETC is not very effective and can cause problems in certain applications such as in sand and jump ups on steep hills and that an adapter to be able to lock in the centre diff should be used.

Does anyone have any comments on the topic ?

By Russell Lagdon on Tuesday, March 20, 2001 - 12:15 am: Edit

I don't know the answer but I have the same question. I have also heard that there is a manual center diff lock (aftermarket) available but I don't know how it would work.

By Clint on Tuesday, March 27, 2001 - 02:26 pm: Edit

Chris, Russ,
Traction control is a mixed bag. It works great on hard surfaces where you don't need momentum. It kills you in sandy hillclimbs. The new discos have the same old transfer case, but there is no lever. I am currently prototyping a kit that allows you to lock the differential. It will be cheap but require you to get out of the car to activate it. You can also use a wrench, but it is a real pain.

The nice thing with a CDL on a series 2 is that you can have the best of both worlds. Options are traction control/abs on or off with the diff either locked or unlocked.

Clint

By sherpa63 on Wednesday, March 28, 2001 - 10:16 am: Edit

Hi Clint ,
I want made a modify at my new disco 2
adding a electric switch for command
a electric linear actuator connected at the
leverage of CDL .I have order a original switch
and a spare part of disco 1 cdl leverage .
Then i have to buy a small actuator that
move in the two sense the cdl mechanism .
If u have same idea is apreciate , in particoular
a right actuator for to do this.
If u have some ideas is apreciate

By Clint on Wednesday, March 28, 2001 - 11:10 am: Edit

Sorry,
I don't know of any proper actuators at the moment. My kit is designed to use your ARM.
Clint

By disco2guy on Thursday, March 29, 2001 - 05:30 am: Edit

My complete kit does this with an electronic operation and no D1 parts. Not necessary to remove the T-Box or Center Console. $250. 2 hour self install. ABS/ETC kill switch for CDL only operation $50 & 45 minute install. Email me for more info. Thanks.

disco2guy