80Series Center Diff Lock & ARB Lockers

[DGS4WD]

As you most know, I own an 80series GXL (factory fitted with center diff lock) with front and rear ARB diff lockers. Im about to fit a part time kit but here's my question.

Does the center diff when locked help you in any way while 4WDing with front and rear arb lockers in... Or is it just like having a standard model with factory part time transfer case and fitted with ARB lockers?

[Bluey]

wouldn't think be same as standard 80 with lockers. a standard transfer case locks front and rear (driveshafts i guess you could say) when placed into H4 or L4. this doesn't happen with a gxl unless the centre diff lock is engaged (comes in automatically in L4, push button in H4)

i have a gxl, full time with front arb and rear detroit. i don't need to worry about about part time kit as only 3" lift, and have better things to spend the 500 odd anyway


cheers

[DGS4WD]

So basically a GXL with all 3 lockers engaged is equal to a standard model with only the 2 lockers engaged?

Just wanting to know as I was getting confused as to if I fit a part time kit that I was "downgrading" its maxium capabilty.

[MissDrew]

So basically a GXL with all 3 lockers engaged is equal to a standard model with only the 2 lockers engaged?

Yes

I have a 80 series GXL with front n rear ARB's and would never bother going to part time. In my mind its a waste of money. But each to his own.

[DGS4WD]

Iv got a good reason tho... Since my 6inch lift, im getting bad noises coming from my transfer case espically with CDL engaged which wern't there before. The cause is apprently a worn center diff so instead of replacing or rebuild the center diff, Im going to fit a part time kit instead.

Im picking the part time kit up this friday along with a new extra heavy duty clutch (kill 2 birds with 1 stone) so Ill see how I go this weekend.

[Bluey]

haven't gone that high myself, but have heard the noise can be simply from the driveshaft uni joints, not necessarily the transfer. guess you could take out the front driveshaft and go for a drive, you'll have to remove it anyway to change the clutch

[Tapage]

It's a matter of taste .. I like the part time cruiser more than full time ( knowing the full time advantages ) better fuel economy, less wear in your front diff and parts .. and don't need to think in your CDL or visco coupling never .. ( coz you haven't )

[DGS4WD]

Hey bluey, pulling the front driveshaft out and going for a drive was the first thing i tried. Make just about no difference. I even tried it the other way round (front in, rear out) with also little difference. Iv also spaced the gearbox/transfer case cross member down 10mm making the driveline angles slightly less and still no change. I then went to caster plates from caster bushes , but now making the front driveshaft angle worse but no change to noise.

Being due for a clutch, i thought Ill fit a part time kit while Im at it and see how I go. Im expecting the noise to go away after this but only 1 way to find out. My only other option is then a double cardinal driveshaft.

[Coogs]

Mine doesn't automatically engage in L4 you have to engage it.
otherwise when both lockers are on only the front or rear axle will turn,
engaging the cdl will then turn everything.

[dow50r]

with most high lifts, it is the front shaft that starts making the noises...but you state with it out there is still noises...so i would look at the rear unis...change them and see what that does...if all else fails, there is a hilux rear d/c shaft on ebay now for $180

[Hardcorr]

I've gone from using one of my GXL's as a toy, to using my DX as a toy, and I've even considered swapping the transfer and diffs over to make my DX constant.
Fuel economy wise, I know a few who have done the swap to part time, and there was no change, one being a petrol and I thought if any, this one would have shown it.
With the GXL, I'd modified the CDL so it only worked off the switch, this allows you to turn it off in low range, and tighten up the turning circle. Handy for close work or working you way through rocky creek beds.
It also allows you to use low range on the bitumen, handy for pulling my ski boat up the boat ramp and reversing it in the driveway at home.
Handling is different too, even with my GXL, the times I blew the front diff and had to drive home from Cruiser Park on the rear with the CDL in, it handles terribly. Nothing corners on high range dirt roads like a constant four wheel drive. Specially when the road goes from dirt to bitumen and back all the time.
I miss my constant 4WD.

Cheers
Corry

[cloughy]

Iv got a good reason tho... Since my 6inch lift, im getting bad noises coming from my transfer case espically with CDL engaged which wern't there before. The cause is apprently a worn center diff so instead of replacing or rebuild the center diff, Im going to fit a part time kit instead.

Im picking the part time kit up this friday along with a new extra heavy duty clutch (kill 2 birds with 1 stone) so Ill see how I go this weekend.

So there is an alignment problem or farked uni's and you'd rather mask it by fitting a part time kit

What about when your in the bush on the fats tracks with you hubs locked but not in 4wd, the problem is going to still be there, rough....

[DGS4WD]

Cloughy, I think your getting confused. When fitting a part time kit you loose your ability to engage center diff lock by replacing it with another part... therefore also loosing the cause of the problem noise and gaining the ability of having 2WD. I have no need for center diff lock now having front and rear lockers so why worry messing around with it when I can get rid of it and gain 2WD capability.

Also, front and rear uni's are all new and as said earlier, driving with only one drive shaft in made no difference (I tried both front out rear in, and then the opposite front in rear out). .. and this noise only started when I did the lift.

[dow50r]

To answer your question, locking the constants centre diff lock is like pulling the part time into high range 4wd.
Have you ever owned a part timer?? if so, remember having to get out and lock the hubs?? also remember how hard it is to stay on the road, when you drift off line on dirt corners and into the soft stuff...
dont get me wrong...ive part times a gxl b4...you definately get more power due to less things turning...but it is a minimal amount...the d/c shaft will fix front vibs, however as stated earlier, sounds like your rear unis...
Andrew

[DGS4WD]

Andrew, as stated earlier, rear unis are new and besides driving with the rear shaft out made no difference to the noise which i also stated earlier.

[dow50r]

[quote="DGS4WD"]Hey bluey, pulling the front driveshaft out and going for a drive was the first thing i tried. quote]

[DGS4WD]

{Quote = DGS4WD Hey bluey, pulling the front driveshaft out and going for a drive was the first thing i tried. Make just about no difference. I even tried it the other way round (front in, rear out) with also little difference.}

[cloughy]

Cloughy, I think your getting confused. When fitting a part time kit you loose your ability to engage center diff lock by replacing it with another part... therefore also loosing the cause of the problem noise and gaining the ability of having 2WD. I have no need for center diff lock now having front and rear lockers so why worry messing around with it when I can get rid of it and gain 2WD capability.

Also, front and rear uni's are all new and as said earlier, driving with only one drive shaft in made no difference (I tried both front out rear in, and then the opposite front in rear out). .. and this noise only started when I did the lift.

Nah not confused, didn't read your post about the centre diff being worn, I still don't see how the lift makes a lick of difference to it but, and yes I realise, when going part time the centre diff is replaced by a full spool

[guzzla]

I fitted the part time kit to my 6in lifted 80s and it was money well spent. All the driveline backlash noises stopped, fuel economy improved noticable and a little more power as a bonus not to mention I like the way it handles now - not so front heavy.

I can still drive like a constant vehicle buy simply locking the hubs when im about to go on a road that has constantly changing surfaces. then its only a matter of pressing the CDL button to go from H4wd to H2wd etc while on the run.

These is my real world experiences and not stories froma a mate of a mate.

[dow50r]

I fitted the part time kit to my 6in lifted 80s and it was money well spent. All the driveline backlash noises stopped, fuel economy improved noticable and a little more power as a bonus not to mention I like the way it handles now - not so front heavy.

I can still drive like a constant vehicle buy simply locking the hubs when im about to go on a road that has constantly changing surfaces. then its only a matter of pressing the CDL button to go from H4wd to H2wd etc while on the run.

These is my real world experiences and not stories froma a mate of a mate.

I had a fj80 part timed 6 inch lift aswell, and thesame things happened for me.....noticeably more power for the 3f....but i will be surprised if the part time kit will fix the vibs, as both shafts are obviously singing on his truck....unless inbetween lifting it and hearing the noises, he tested the suspension out and did some driveline damage..., but again...who has heard of an 80 constant centre diff ever going like that???

[Bluey]

Hey bluey, pulling the front driveshaft out and going for a drive was the first thing i tried. Make just about no difference. I even tried it the other way round (front in, rear out) with also little difference. Iv also spaced the gearbox/transfer case cross member down 10mm making the driveline angles slightly less and still no change. I then went to caster plates from caster bushes , but now making the front driveshaft angle worse but no change to noise.

Being due for a clutch, i thought Ill fit a part time kit while Im at it and see how I go. Im expecting the noise to go away after this but only 1 way to find out. My only other option is then a double cardinal driveshaft.

I'd apologize for not responding earlier (was testing some wind turbines in SA last week, no internet for me) but i think everyone who has responded knows more than me anyway. good luck with it and i hope you sort it out

do you really have a 6" lift for 33" tyres, or do you have some bigger play tyres??? i have a 3" lift and borrowed some 36 pedes and they fitted nicely, removed mudflaps and will need bump extensions.

bluey

[DGS4WD]

Yep, still on the 33's. Iv been holding off buying my next set of tyres as the 33's still have some meat on them. In the mean time Im spending that money on stuff like this new clutch, part time kit, etc. Still waiting on crawler gears from Marks 4WD Adaptors, thought i would take full advantage whilest the gearbox and transfer case is out... and then once Iv done that there's the rear bar, lonfield axles, the list goes on.

Will keep you guys posted.