gu centre diff lock - possible?

AH HA!

i get it. it doesnt need a centre diff lock, because when in 4wd mode, the two axles are essentially locked anyway.

the downside, presumably, is that even if you wanted to, you can use 4wd on a grippy surface, like bitumen or hard packed dirt, without damaging something or not being able to steer particularly well

sorry, that should have been *can't* use 4wd on a grippy surface

Exactly right, you can get what they call windup and may have difficulty disengaging 4WD or worst case you could break something expensive.

Im happy with mine Stephan, does everything i want it to, then it gets me home too. Primative it may be, but the advantage is its very Reliable.
Cheers Angelo

Gotta agree with Angelo....
Like it or not, 90% of the driving that most people undertake is on dry bitumen, where the advantages of full time 4 wheel drive are negligible. Indeed, if you plan on owning you full time cruiser for a long time, there is a kit available which can convert it back to a part time 4x4. The advantages of doing this (and therefore the advantage of a Patrol's drive train system) is that the front end drive line is "resting" and not wearing out; until it's needed.
I'll stick with my old fashioned NON electronic 4.2 diesel motor and my PART TIME drive train, thanks very much.

Stephen

people are changing their toyota full time system back to part time. Its amazing what people do in this day and age.

The Nissan system is actually fact very good. It is reliable and maintenance free. I prefer it any day to a system that has an open centre diff that is really only one wheel drive until the centre is locked. Viscous centre diffs in theory are a superior system to part time but they are expensive and have proven not entirely successful.

Sean

full time 4wd is a great idea.
lets drag 2 diffs around instead of one.

Same here.... the part time system wins hands down!!

None of the reasons given for part-time 4WD hold water. It's reliable - so is full-time as long as the front drive train is up to scratch (which is why there is a part-time kit for Toyotas). The front drive doesn't wear as much - but the rear drive wears more. It's only one-wheel-drive until you lock the centre diff - so lock it. Maintenance-free - they've both got transfer cases so where is the saving in maintenance? The front diff is not dragging, it's driving, and the extra friction from a few more parts turning is negligible.

Sorry guys, but you'll never convince me that the last gasp of the WW2-type drive system is superior in any way (apart from cost, of course).

Stephen.
RETIREMENT!!!!!! I'm there!!!!!!
(sorry Roachie)

It's interesting that Toyota's Landcruiser utes and troopies, the preferred vehicles for mining co's etc, still use part-time 4wd.
Cheers
Gerry

StephenF,
You forgot to mention extra fuel usage and scrubbing of front tyres. 1 -2% may not sound much but after 200,000+ K's it all adds up
Rolande

Quote from StephennF

"I find it amazing that Nissan is selling (and people are buying) such a primitive 4WD system in 2004"

Well.. I find it amazing that in 2004, people still open their mouth and expect others to simply agree with them.
If people want to buy a Patrol, let 'em. You obviously don't want to own one. Good! Don't! Buy something else! Compare a Range Rover and Patrol in the same sentence??? Where's the logic there??? Personally I don't bother with manufacturers wars too seriously, but I will say this.... the Nissan drivetrain is arguably the strongest in the game.... most people with common sense acknowledge that, with the exception of those who are blinded by their own sense of self-importance! I would rather be travelling off-road with a tried-and-true tough 4wd system, than be subjecting myself to the possibility of some under-engineered or worse still, over elecronically engineered gizmo letting me down.

The whole reason for me going this far with this reply is your point that "(and people are buying) such a primitive 4WD system in 2004"
It's none of your business what people are buying!
And who are you to judge??

Calm down Brian before you blow up like 3L Patrol. I didn't say the Patrol driveline wasn't strong and reliable. It is, but is that due to the lack of a centre diff? I don't think so.

If you're happy with the design then good for you, but I prefer not to spend my money on obsolete designs when something better is available.

Just my opinion too.
Stephen.

No need for me to calm down Stephen, I ain't getting upset at all. My point is simply that your "opinion" is liberally laced with "Stephen Knows Better" and you appear to be saying that Your choice of "vehicle/driveline/amount-of-diffs" is the only choice that should be considered. I object to that kind of arrogance, whether it be cars/sports/entertainment/politics, whatever....

for the same reason as you can get kits to convert your tojo back into part time 4wd primative? no just tried and tested