Disable diff lock??
Want to pick brains here.....
Do any of you folks know if it is possible to disable the diff lock when in low ratio? I use the low ratio for pulling a boat out of the water, up a steep slip way and then there is a sharp 90 degree left turn at the top. That sharp turn is not appreciated by the transmission especially with a boat of greater weight than the iO hanging down hill off the back when in diff lock!
Ideally I want the low ratio but with the diffs open. Maybe removing one of the vacuum hoses will do it??
Cheers,
Guy
center diff lock
IMO....
Removing the front drive shaft will not help, the center diff lock is inside the transfer case and does only lock front to rear ratio. Disconnecting the front diff will still have a fix ratio at the rear and he will loose the front grip needed to pull that boat.
Removing vaccum hose still won't help as they will only disconnect the front diff, again loosing the grip needed.
What happen when you try to tow in 4Hlc ? Do you loose traction (tyres spinning) or is the clutch just not making it with engine stall or other ....
Happy io
Thanks for your thoughts
Thanks for your thoughts on this guys.
In answer to your question Claude, just for pulling the boat out of the water up the slip way is has to be in low ratio. Not for traction but for power to pull the weight up that short gradient. I should also point out that my car is an auto.........in case that makes a difference??
I am wondering if disconnecting the diff lock is not possible, maybe just disconnecting the drive to the front axle (sort of along the lines Claude mentioned) leaving the rear in low ratio and the front to free wheel may be possible? However may this put too much strain on the transmission/rear drive train??
The slip way is concrete and the boat (including trailer) weighs approx 900-1000kg. The car has no trouble pulling it in low ratio.
Let me start with a question ...
Are you pulling the boat straight up the ramp or turning whilst you climb the ramp? If it's a straight pull, then having the center diff locked (or unlocked) is a non issue - it becomes an issue only when you need to turn. If there is enough room to climb the ramp and then disengage 4L at the top of the ramp before turning, you could simply consider that.
Next - unlocking the front axle free wheel is one possible solution to the issue.
As has been pointed out, the free wheel mechanism defaults to engaged and the vacuum actuator disengages it, based on a signal from switch on the transfer case that closes, supplying a ground to the vacuum solenoids, when any of the 4WD positions is selected - you can fit a toggle switch interrupting this circuit so that the axle remains in the free wheel position regardless of the transfer case selection.
I don't foresee any issues with the load on the drive train for a 1000kg load as the vehicle is rated to tow 1200kg (SWB) or 1500kg (LWB) - even if the front axle was engaged, the majority of the load would still be on the rear axle because of the slope of the ramp.
Hi Fordem,
Hi Fordem,
Slip way is straight and the sharp 90 degree left turn is at the top. The steepest part of the incline is at the top and then you turn onto a flat road. This means I need the low ratio until the car and trailer have made the turn and both are on the level road.
It is a LWB auto - I did not know the rated towing weights so thank you.
Like the idea of fitting a toggle switch to interrupt the circuit to the free wheel clutch. I will definitely investigate this.........top man 
Guy
Syndicate
Centre Diff Lock
hmmmm hopefully someone has an answer for you!
Aside from removing the front drive shaft or installing manual hubs I am out of ideas - No idea how the vacum system works but I think it defaults to 4x4 if there is a disconnect? (could be wrong)
2002 5dr Pajero IO QA 2.0L Auto - Lifted, Locked!! 1.925 Low Range - Muddies (205/80/16) - Redback Extractors to 200cell cat to dump at diff Exhaust