[SimonB]

Its an interesting debate, but I see some used 4HLc on dust and others 4H. I guess there are dust roads and dust roads - but sometimes you get a nice graded road where its easy to drive at 100km/h, would Lc still be advocated in such a situation?

Just try driving with a locked centre diff compared to with it unlocked on a twisty gravel road such as Swartberg Pass. You will never drive with an unlocked centre diff again on gravel - any gravel. Also hale a look at a couple of ASPW video's.

I never understand why people don't use ALL safety features available to them. A locked centre diff is much safer IMO than unlocked. Yes there's a bit of understeer but if that becomes a problem you're going FAR too fast anyway.

Also think about it this way there's no difference between driving in 4Hlc and driving a part time 4x4 when in 4x4.

Aslam... I personally would never use axle difflock on very steep downhills. First gravity is your enemy, and not traction, and steering control to me is more important. I have never come across a situation that I thought an axle difflock would be useful on a downhill.

[Blister]

Its an interesting debate, but I see some used 4HLc on dust and others 4H. I guess there are dust roads and dust roads - but sometimes you get a nice graded road where its easy to drive at 100km/h, would Lc still be advocated in such a situation?

Just try driving with a locked centre diff compared to with it unlocked on a twisty gravel road such as Swartberg Pass. You will never drive with an unlocked centre diff again on gravel - any gravel. Also hale a look at a couple of ASPW video's.

I never understand why people don't use ALL safety features available to them. A locked centre diff is much safer IMO than unlocked. Yes there's a bit of understeer but if that becomes a problem you're going FAR too fast anyway.

Also think about it this way there's no difference between driving in 4Hlc and driving a part time 4x4 when in 4x4.

Aslam... I personally would never use axle difflock on very steep downhills. First gravity is your enemy, and not traction, and steering control to me is more important. I have never come across a situation that I thought an axle difflock would be useful on a downhill.

Interesting bit regarding additional control with CL
As regards down hill with DL, I found myself using it because of it being on when ascending however would it not be advantageous leaving it on as I do when hitting situations where only one wheel makes contact with terra firma?

[tonton]

Interesting topic and clearly very subjective.

Here's what the Gen 2 handbook says:

Personally, I use as much of the 4WD technology as possible - without being silly (eg. difflock on hard surfaces) of course.

I know it is less economical, but also that it is safer.

Anton

[HBannink]

I have a simple way of doing it. On the black stuff 2H for everyday driving but when the second rain drop hits I reach for the short lever and go for 4h. The minute I go off the black stuff I lock the centre diff and on a trail or where the going gets slow and tough I help the engine by dropping down to low range centre locked.
I have seen the merit in going to 4h when towing especially on mountainous terrain.

[RoelfleRoux]

I agree with most of what you guys say here, but I postpone the locking of the centre diff (4HLc) much longer. During the 90's when I was still seriously into SCUBA and driving on the Sodwana beach was allowed, I would go a whole weekend in my 1994 Gen 2(3.0V6) and later 1998 Gen 2.5 (3.5V6) without locking the centre diff. I would engage 4H when leaving the tar and the next time I touch that lever would be when I'm back on tar again.

[RoelfleRoux]

From a training manual sent to me a year or so ago.

[Cas]

So... 4H or 4HLc on normal gravel?

Is speed limited on 4Hlc?

Not that I'd race on gravel,just as safe as the road would allow.

[RoelfleRoux]

Here is what I have learnt from members on the forum:
4H engages the front wheels with 66% of the power going to the rear wheels. The centre diff is still open.
4HLc changes the split to 50:50 rear:front and locks the centre diff

We did a little test with a 2003 DiD LWB GLS (no electronic traction or stability control) a few months ago:
Parked on wet grass and accellerated in 2H, no surprise, good rear wheel spin.
Repeated test in 4H, NO rear wheel spin. Not even for a split second. The car just shot forward.

For my money: I do not believe that 4HLc will add any benefit (over 4H) on a normal dirt road. All you achieve is potential drivetrain windup. That is just my opinion and the way I prefer to drive my Pajeros

[Cas]

What additional wear would be incurred by keeping to 4H instead of 2H?

I can think of tyres,additional traction leads to more wear,if I'm correct,maybe even wear between front and rear?

Would any other part of the drivetrain be adversly affected?

[tonton]

What additional wear would be incurred by keeping to 4H instead of 2H?

I can think of tyres,additional traction leads to more wear,if I'm correct,maybe even wear between front and rear?

Would any other part of the drivetrain be adversly affected?

I think that is a good question. Although there are more moving parts in 4WD, the load is spread (even more so when centre difflock is engaged), and therefore the rear drivetrain is less strained. The front drivetrain is usually so seldom used that it doesn't take nearly the wear of the rear, so it makes sense to spread load to it when possible.

I therefore recon that you reduce the risk of failure by engaging 4WD, and increasingly so if the terrain is demanding.

Same applies to tyre wear...

Anton