Outer Limits 4x4 Board

In the 4.5 auto 80 series (1997), is it normal for the ECU to disable ABS when low range is engaged? E.g, when low range is selected, the ABS and centre difflock light comes on.

If not, is it a common modification? It does make sense to have this arrangement, but is it factory toyota?

Thanks

carts wrote:In the 4.5 auto 80 series (1997), is it normal for the ECU to disable ABS when low range is engaged? E.g, when low range is selected, the ABS and centre difflock light comes on.

If not, is it a common modification? It does make sense to have this arrangement, but is it factory toyota?

Thanks

Yes it is standard, I'm guessing you have the 40th anniv model?
If it is, you won't have a centre diff lock switch. You can activate the centre difflock by purchasing the switch, the wiring is there behind the switch panel above the heater controls. The plug for it will be taped up with another wiring plug in it but without any wires. This just completes the circuit or something like that, without using the switch.


This is useful if you need the centre difflock on in high range, such as on gravel roads.

Cheers, thanks for that.

I thought it was normal. I spoke to a technician at Toyota, and he seemed to think something might be wrong, then I got concerned.

I havent bought the car yet, hopefully that will come tonight. I test drove it last night and noticed it!

Yes it is a 40th anniversary. It seems to be a good honest clean truck.

carts wrote:Cheers, thanks for that.

I thought it was normal. I spoke to a technician at Toyota, and he seemed to think something might be wrong, then I got concerned.

I havent bought the car yet, hopefully that will come tonight. I test drove it last night and noticed it!

Yes it is a 40th anniversary. It seems to be a good honest clean truck.

If you like driving on gravel roads with plenty of traction, i mean an equal split between front and rear differentionals, get yourself that centre lock button and plug it in.

40th models didn't have it as they have a viscous coupling that automatically brings the split from 65/35 to 50/50 when needed, but sometimes you want to select it manually as for the reason above.

The other good thing about putting that switch on the dash....is it disables the ABS in high range and allows descent stops on loose gravel...the first time you need to stop on the stuff, the ABS wont allow skidding and you will not stop...for a long time....
Andrew

that won't matter - Carts has gone soft and won't drive his new bling toy off road.

when do we turbo, carts?

dumbdunce wrote:that won't matter - Carts has gone soft and won't drive his new bling toy off road.

when do we turbo, carts?

I'll drive it off road, but i dont have a taste for flipping it on its lid yet! I need some sliders, and I want some more lockers.

As for the turbo, should we go custom or kit? I am actually quite surprised by the performance of the auto 4.5. It goes quite well. Its no 60, but it'll do!!

dow50r wrote:The other good thing about putting that switch on the dash....is it disables the ABS in high range and allows descent stops on loose gravel...the first time you need to stop on the stuff, the ABS wont allow skidding and you will not stop...for a long time....
Andrew

When I was looking around for info originally on the ABS light, I found heaps of sites talking about this mod.

I shall have to put it on my things to do list. As for the brakes on the tar, they beat the hell out of the old 60.

I've just brought 40th anniversary model and the lack of centre diff lock button had me stuffed for a while. So all the wiring should be there for it and its just a matter of hooking a button up to it and all will work fine? I also figure that having the centre diff locked would be a bonus, especially in sand. Where is the button supposed to be located, as my previous 80 was a standard and I didnt look at anything but 40th anniversary models when I brought this one. Cheers for the help

I've just had a look behind the plugs above the heater control panels and I belive I have found the plug. Can anyone confirm the colours of the wires, the plug I found has 3 wires a blue and white green and white/yellow and I cant make out the 3rd. I havent yet tried to drag the plug out.
Do the normal GXL's automaticly engage the centre diff lock when in low range?

yep, GXLs do automatically engage in the centre diff lock in low range

Just bought a diff lock switch for my ABS cruiser....$44 from Just jap, and out of a 98 model rav4...they are thesame....took me 10 minutes to put it in the dash....and now i am in control again....
Next, i will disable auto locking in low range, and i can then reverse or drive forward in low range constant 4wd on hard surfaces....
Andrew

Cheers Andrew, at least that another option for finding them, I wonder if the price is the same from toyota ?

Hey All hope this helps

Did all these mods to Mum's 40th Anni. we had the multi-valve turbo, Auto. Bought the Center Diff Lock switch from Toyota (part number 84725-60040 (For the later 80's dash board).

Once you have the switch installed and want to turn the ABS off on gravel roads (without having the center diff locked the whole time) is to,

1. Activate Center Diff lock (press the switch), the ABS and Center Diff lights should light up on the dash.

2.To disable ABS you will need to drive for at least 200 meters at a speed over 70 kph with the Diff lock on (not on a hard surface!!!!)

3.Turn off the Center Diff Lock. The ABS light should stay on. If so, YAY, no more ABS!

4. To reactivate ABS you will need to stop, turn the ignition off and restart the car. The ABS light should not be on once motor is running.

To Have the Center Diff Lock only work from the switch on the dash (stop from auto locking in low range) you need to

1. Dive under the Cruiser where the rear tail shaft comes out of the back of the transfer

2. A plug located on the rear of the transfer, in about the 1 o'clock position looking towards the front of the vehicle needs to be unplugged
(It unplugs in the horizontal plane and has a yellow and blue/black wire attached).

3. When unplugged just wrap the ends in some insulation tape to stop dirt getting into the exposed connections.

Locking the Centre Diff is now controlled manually, in both high and low range, by the switch on the dash.

Now you dont have to cook your clutch when reversing your trailer/boat/caravan up a hill. You can select Low-Range on hard surfaces without binding up the transfer case etc etc.

Hope this helps a little.
Troy.

That info helps heaps. I dont really have any need for having the centre diff unlocked when in low range, but it sounds easy enough to do if I ever need it. Still dosent help that fact that the switch costs a shitload for what it is

My switch arrived today, $30 delivered to my door. Sure beats the hell outa 180 odd new from toyota. Works a treat, thanks for the help guys