Outer Limits 4x4 Board

Hey all,

Lately i have been hearing everyone when talking about there 80 series mentioning a centre difflock.

I have an 80series 4.5 manual 40th anniversary and i do not have a centre difflock button on the dash.

I know this sounds very blonde but it seems mine only engages when i put the car into low range. i cant engage it any other way.

How come mine is different?
Or were some models different?
Im still a little new to this 4WD haha

cheers Ben

Toyota didn't put one in on the very late model 80. In earlier 80s, you press a button on the dash and it locks it when your in high and like you said, automatically does it when you chuck it in low. Pretty sure the wiring is there, you just need to buy the button from Toyota and plug it in. I'm sure someone would know but I can ask a mate exactly how he did if you want because he also disabled his ABS.

thanks mate, i was getting worried for a sec.

I too have a 40th anniversary , but mine is auto. It does have a centre diff lock, but toyota did not provide you with a manual activation switch on the dash.

The wiring harness is there behind the dash at the top, next to the hazard switch. All you need to do is buy the CDL switch from toyota for a 1997 gxl cruiser, and you can choose when you want to lock it, high or low.

The reason they decided not to put a CDL switch in the 40th anniversary model is because they have the sahara transfer case in them, which has the viscous centre differential (LSD). It was decided it would be unnecessary to engage the CDL in high range, so it is only set to lock to CDL in low range.

The other main advantage of fitting the CDL switch is so you can disable ABS in high range. ABS can be a prick on sand or dirt roads, so it is often in your interest to engage the CDL in high range and disable ABS. When your CDL is engaged, you will notice your ABS light comes on also to tell you ABS is off.

I did the mod to mine, and its worth it.

short answer...toyota couldnt put a switch in and have joe blow put the lock on and disable ABS in high range...it would not be good for their legal teams health....You cant lock the transmission and have independant breaking on all 4 wheels, they would try to turn together....
Ok...so i went to the qwreckers and bought a switch from a rav4....same as 97 cruiser....$40...plug and play
The ABS cruiser came out with a viscous coupling, which is a limited slip transfer diff...so u can drive in high on most surfaces without needing to lock anyway....but get on corrigations or dirt marbles and try to stop.......thats when you dont need ABS...

Just get the switch from the wreckers as toyotas price is mind blowing. All wiring is there just plug it in. That ABS just does not work on gravel, much better off without it. Just drive a few hundred meters with the CDL on at over 70km/h then turn it back off. ABS stays away and your back to unlocked high range. As far as I know only the 80's with ABS didnt have the CDL button