The Toyota Landcruiser Owners Club

[Nuclear Red]

My wife has bought a 96 Japanese Import Prado.
It is a 3.0L turbo diesel Auto.
I can see how the litle gear stick moves me into High gear 4wd, neutral then low gear 4wd.

I presume the fully back position is 2wd.

What is happing to the diffs in these 4wd positions?

Any idea what the small red switch next to the small gear stick is for?

Any advice would be appreciated,

Regards,

JR

[Google]

[andy]

Small red button for moving the shifter when the keys are out , this helps when working on the vehicle .

The other stick should be back for 2 or 4wd , forward for low range which will automatically select 4wd .

[Nuclear Red]

Thanks Andy, thats the mystery of the small red button sorted.

I still need to sort out what is happening with the diffs when high gear or low gear 4wd is selected.

Colorados seem to have dash mounted diff locks.

As the Prado has no such switch so I presume the diffs lock when 4WD is selected.

As such I presume 4WD is only for wet or loose surfaces.

Any further info would be appreciated.

Regards,

John

[andy]

[Steve H]

Hi - re your question on the 4WD lever.

The Prado is 4WD all the time. When you move the small lever to its first position, the centre diff is locked which means power will be sent to either the front or the back wheels, which ever has grip at the time.

The second position gives low ratio, still with the centre diff locked so is useful for steep decents, very slippy surfaces etc.

The rear diff lock if fitted is worked by a separate switch on the dash. Most Prados don't have a rear diff lock but instead have a limited slip diff on the rear - have a look on the casing and you should see a red/orange sticker which warns LSD oil only.

Hope this helps.

Steve H

[Nuclear Red]

Steve,

Thanks for your help.

It all now makes sense,

Regards,

John