Lexus GX470 - Open Diffs vs. Rear Locker vs. Center Diff Lock & Rear Locker. No ATRAC!

This is just a quick video demonstrating three different scenarios in my GX470. Unfortunately, my ATRAC was not working when I made this video, or else I would've demonstrated that too!
My GX470 Mod List:
Old Man Emu 2.5" lift
285/70r17 Milestar Patagonias
OPOR Rock Sliders
Toyota 8.2" rear siff swap
ARB Rear Air Locker
And some other small stuff I don't want to type out lol.

[@Kiss__Kiss]

Perfect execution both in the making of this video, and demonstration.

[@rowdypaws4x488]

Thank you very much!

[@Uberragen21]

Fantastic demonstration of the advantages of center and rear locking differentials vs open diffs.

[@lowrange1486]

Well done. A good line saves a lot (money, time, etc)

[@AustinElwess]

Thanks for making this video. Would have loved to see the second and third attempts in reverse order, first with only the CDL and then again with the CDL and RDL. That way we could see exactly how much adding a RDL would help.

[@jamie.andrews]

Great video! I am getting ready to swap in a 8.2 e-locked rear very soon.

[@rowdypaws4x488]

That's awesome! Check out the thread under 4runner4life98's comment. Some good info. I'm assuming the 8.2 e-locker setup is from an FJ Cruiser?

[@jamie.andrews]

@@rowdypaws4x488 I will check it out! It is from a 2019 4runner.

[@vouzenthal]

1:34 I believe this car is equipped with a VF4BM transfer case which when locked distributes torque in a 40/60% front/rear ratio.

[@rowdypaws4x488]

When the center differential is NOT locked, your statement is true. Torque during straight line is 40/60 FR/RR. During the acceleration around a turn, the torque distribution increases to the rear. When the center diff is locked, the front and rear driveshafts are mechanically locked together and must rotate at the same speed (regardless of torque split). Here's a damn good link if you want to read technical documents. www.clublexus.com/forums/gx-2nd-gen-2010-2023/919479-torsen-diff-vf4bm-technical-overview-diagnostics-troubleshooting.html *HINT: TORSEN is a registered trademark of JTEKT Corporation* (lol you'll get it later)

[@ElsonCypi]

So i should not be mad when my w163 goes into 1 wheel drive when one in the front goes of the ground,

[@michaelhill7298]

great video. thanks.

[@omarkhanlilcurry]

Just a quick question in the Toyota forerunner when you manually shift to 4 x 4 is that basically a center Locke 50-50 distribution? When I turn on the center lock in my GX, is that the same as me shifting to 4 x 4 in a part-time 4 x 4 forerunner?

[@purplepimple2610]

Whats it called when all 4 tires are locked front and rear and left and right?

[@AdventureRich]

Is it possible to do a demo for those who only have center diff lock?

[@rowdypaws4x488]

Hmm possibly! What exactly would you like to see?

[@AdventureRich]

@@rowdypaws4x488 Same test really, so that it shows the true benefit of having rear diff as well. Most of these only come with center diff lock. I'm getting one, but I need to know if I will need to spend extra to get rear lockers, or if the ATRAC will do the trick. Thanks!

[@rowdypaws4x488]

@@AdventureRich you won't need a locker unless you plan on doing some pretty damn serious wheeling.... or you're shit with throttle control and left braking lol 😆. But in all honesty, there is some knowledge I may take for granted wheeling a full-time AWD truck with selectable, true 4WD. I can definitely make a video about that.

[@MrPabloc123]

So, with the center diff unlocked and with 4wd on, it only takes one wheel with no traction to keep the truck from moving forward?

[@rowdypaws4x488]

Only 6 months late replying.... but that is correct! (if you ignore electronics like ATRAC)... I could go into a much more detailed explanation if you'd like, it gets complicated pretty fast haha.

[@shmac96]

Could someone explain the differences of RDL, CDL and FDL? What does a CDL do? How is it different then a FDL?

[@TapesNstuffS]

FDL: front left and right wheels forced to spin at same rate. RDL: same as FDL but for rear wheels. CDL: forces front and rear wheel sets to experience equivalent rotation.

[@Ogre7449]

Since you replaced the rear end and installed a rear diff lock, is this what disabled your ATRAC ??, It seemed to be cheaper to keep ATRAC or maintain it, then to switch to a locking rear end, defeating the true capabilities of the GX470. You are now going to need an elec locker on the front end to experience what the ATRAC was designed to replace. a Three locker set up is your only option I see (Front, Center, Rear) making your GX a Beast on Traction.

[@rowdypaws4x488]

Nope, the locker does NOT affect ATRAC at all. If the traction control doesn't see anything it constitutes as loss of traction, it doesn't engage. I'll try to explain why ATRAC wasn't working: on this truck, the ABS sensors read a reluctor ring built in to your wheel bearing to monitor wheel speed. If anything moves outside of programmed parameters, the system believes you have lost traction and it needs to activate and correct. My ABS sensor had a lot of corrosion build up around it, and my wheel bearing was worn. This cause my truck to auto emergency brake when going around corners. This is TERRIFYING when you're 65-70mph on the interstate. i unplugged an ABS sensor to make sure the system didn't activate when nothing was wrong.

[@Ogre7449]

@@rowdypaws4x488 wow, sounded like a bad day

[@rowdypaws4x488]

@@Ogre7449 well, I took me a long time to figure it out, more like a bad year lol. Dealership couldn't figure it out, no one could.... I finally did a front end rebuild and my problem went away. Being an engineer, I NEEDED to find out why haha.

[@MrRitchiecraig]

Did you install a rear locker? I didn't think they had rear lockers from the factory? Mine certainly has the center differential lock.

[@rowdypaws4x488]

Yep! I had an ARB air locker put in when I swapped to a Toyota 8.2" rear diff.

[@MatthewHeiskell]

Great video! But don't most people lock the center diff first? Changing it from AWD to 4WD. THEN lock the rear diff when necessary?

[@rowdypaws4x488]

Yes.... lol. AWD with three open diff is useless, and the rear locker barely makes a difference. If I could back and do this video over, I'd definitely do it that way, add in video I have of the driveshaft motion in AWD/4WD to show why it matters, and explain why you should lock the center before anything else (and also WHEN it's appropriate to have it locked/open). But I was just off by myself with no plan of actually making a video when I did all this lol!

[@MatthewHeiskell]

@@rowdypaws4x488 Cool! Keeping making videos man!

[@driojal]

@@rowdypaws4x488 The GX is actually a 4wd full time. Not an AWD , the AWD system makes all 4 tires spin and distribute the power to all 4 corners. If the GX was and AWD vehicle you would not be only spinning driver side tire only like in 1:10 . It does act like it when the ATRAC is working along with the Torsen center diff

[@rowdypaws4x488]

@@driojal If we want to get that far into the weeds, It's gonna be hard to argue since there is no universally agreed upon, universal definition for what makes something Full Time 4WD. But I'll play along! First, you state “the AWD system makes all 4 tires spin and distribute the power to all 4 corners”. Almost true, all 4 tires do not need to spin, but they do all receive power. In my video, power is being distributed to all four tires! Unfortunately, the amount of torque necessary to spin the tire with the least resistance is how much torque the other 3 wheel receive (without electronic aid, of course). This is why AWD vehicle have some seriously sophisticated electronic aids. Second, you state “If the GX was an AWD vehicle you would not be only spinning driver side tire only like in 1:10” Actually, what you describe is a characteristic of a traditional 4WD vehicle. When a traditional 4WD vehicle is in 4Hi/4Lo, it CANNOT have one single tire spinning. A traditional 4WD vehicle has a transfer case that locks the driveshafts together in 4Hi/4Lo. Again, I assume that electronic aids are not present. Third, and this a fun, useless thing... a GX can be shifted into 4Lo without locking the center diff. Hence, one wheel spinning in 4Lo in my video lol. Honestly, this configuration is really never used, except by idiots on youtube.... The GX essentially has 4 modes: Hi range, open center diff Low range, open center diff Hi range, locked center diff Low range, locked center diff So AWD: Can send power to all four wheels, uses a front, center, and rear differential to distribute power. The defining difference from tradition 4WD? 1. It does not lock the driveshafts together and force them to spin at the same speed. 2. It does not traditionally have a Low Range. So what about Full Time 4WD? Id guess I'd say the differences are: 1. Marketing, a Full Time 4WD 4Runner sound better and is easier for people to understand than saying it has AWD/4WD. I do agree. 2. A locking center differential that shifts the vehicle into a traditional 4WD. This locks the driveshafts together so they are forces to spin at the same speed. The GX uses a center diff/transfer case combo to do this. Pretty neat! 3. Low range. So sure! I agree that a GX fits better into the marketed category of Full Time 4WD, but sorting the differences can get fairly pedantic pretty quickly.

[@GXKid06]

Did you add a rear diff lock? MIne does not have a rear

[@rowdypaws4x488]

Yep, its aftermarket. I swapped in a Toyota 8.2" rear diff/axle housing with an ARB air locker.

[@bradh6185]

@@rowdypaws4x488 Did this take any cutting or welding? And would you say your new diff is stronger than the old one? I'm thinking about buying one of these, but I saw a video where this guy demolished his rear diff. Are they prone to this?

[@rowdypaws4x488]

@@bradh6185 if you put bigger tires on it and take it offroading, you'll probably blow the stock diff up. Also, if you aren't gentle with the gas pedal while offroading, you'll probably break the diff. If you add a locker to the stock 8" and drive it well, most people have no issues. The Toyota 8.2" diff is direct bolt on, no modifications at all. it's definitely stronger, and even better with a locker! Much more expensive though lol. If you're looking to buy a GX, mine is up for sale haha.

[@bradh6185]

@@rowdypaws4x488 Thanks so much for the info. I only have about $8k saved up right now, so I'm sure I can't afford yours. I'm planning to buy stock and upgrade parts when I can.

[@andyb521740]

@@rowdypaws4x488 Where did you get your 8.2 from and how much was it?

[@rednecktech00]

Mine doesnt have issues but mine is no longer fulltime 4wd

[@rowdypaws4x488]

Did you swap an FJ Cruiser transfer case in or what?

[@rednecktech00]

@rowdypaws4x488 Yes the transfer rear axle and front have been changed

[@rowdypaws4x488]

@@rednecktech00 What's the difference between the front diffs?

[@rednecktech00]

@@rowdypaws4x488 the GX front diff will keep spinning even in 2wd once changing the transfer. They have a term for it but it evades me atm

[@alexfrankl7861]

So thats a yank prado ?

[@rowdypaws4x488]

Yep! That is correct

[@radius8283]

Thanks for the video. Did you install the rear diff lock or it’s factory?

[@rowdypaws4x488]

Little bit late to reply.... after blowing up the rear siffs twice, we switched to a Toyota 8.2" rear diff assembly and had an ARB locker installed as well.

[@willp6067]

​@@rowdypaws4x488did the 8.2 survive or did you blow it up?

[@rowdypaws4x488]

@@willp6067 It served me very well! I only put a couple thousand miles on it before I sold my GX, but I used it offroad quite a bit. The 8.2 with a locker was a game changer. I've always been curious if I could have gotten away with a locked 8" diff, that would have saved me a bunch of money. I had some long talks with the people at East Coast Gear Supply, and they said they rebuild Toyota 8" diffs every day, but rarely do they have 8.2 diffs sent back. Since I blew up two 8s, that's what sold me on getting the 8.2.

[@NigelNaughton]

Wonder if my triple-locked 80 would make it up that? ;-)

[@rowdypaws4x488]

Depends, you got that Driver Mod?? Best upgrade for any truck! 😅

[@NigelNaughton]

@@rowdypaws4x488 Yeah..factory lockers on a 1997 Collector's Edition. Helps a lot to have the magic switch.

[@paladain55]

Nigel, sell me that bad boy.

[@NigelNaughton]

@@paladain55 ok 😁

[@terrys5268]

What rear locker are you using if you don’t mind asking you. Thanks

[@rowdypaws4x488]

Hey! It's got a Toyota 8.2" rear end swapped in with an ARB air locker, had it for about 1.5yrs with no issues. I didn't necessarily baby the truck either lol, hence the swap to the 8.2 rear.

[@lulu.r.b]

Imagine have front diff locker too

[@rowdypaws4x488]

It would've been pretty awesome!

[@RyGuyLifts]

That's really cute

[@rowdypaws4x488]

Awww thanks buddy! 😊

[@RyGuyLifts]

@@rowdypaws4x488 haha just giving you a hard time. my buddy drives a LX470. I drive JKUR so I am biased of course 😉 Nice rig tho!

[@ghamai567]

That is cool, is this GX lifted?

[@rowdypaws4x488]

Yes it is! We have an Old Man Emu 2.5" lift

[@ghamai567]

@@rowdypaws4x488 love these videos so thanks for sharing

[@tbgtbg6311]

bozo question, are those stock on the GX 470? thanks

[@rowdypaws4x488]

The center diff lock is OEM, rear locker is an aftermarket ARB air locker. No GXs that I'm aware of came with an OEM rear locker. The GX is full time AWD, it does not have a 2WD mode. In very simple terms, the center diff lock is used to switch the vehicle from AWD to traditional 4WD.

[@paladain55]

Sounds like there's not much of a point in having the center diff vs just a transfer case like the Sequoia.

[@rowdypaws4x488]

Specifically for offroading, I agree with you. But it is great when on-road conditions are not ideal or when a driver has to make emergency maneuvers to avoid something. I think there's a list of Pros & Cons for both setups.

[@Ogre7449]

Sequoia not only has a Transfer Case, it also has a Center Diff locker with ATRAC (Standard since Toyota developed it). When you place the transfer case into 4LO it disables VSC, Trac Control and enables ATRAC, and by placing the gear shifter of your automatic into 1st Gear you lock the Center Diff Locker (Transfer Case Light Stays lit and does not Flash), All this is on my Gen 1 Sequoia SR5

[@nataliamiliano150]

Did the GX470 come stock with the rear diff lock??

[@rowdypaws4x488]

Nope! Haha I blew the stock diff up twice, so I upgraded to the later Toyota 8.2" rear diff/axle assembly and had an ARB air locker installed as well.

[@nataliamiliano150]

@@rowdypaws4x488 Oh wow! Thanks for responding! So the 8.2” rear diff/axle is a locking diff? Does it just bolt in? And the ARB is a front locker, ya?

[@rowdypaws4x488]

@@nataliamiliano150 the ARB locker is installed in the rear 8.2" diff. No front locker. You CAN get an OEM Toyota 8.2" with an electric locker. I opted for aftermarket because East Coast Gear Supply has a 5yr warranty even if you offroad your truck. And they honor that warranty! I know this because I blew up one of their 8" diffs in my GX. They applied the full cost towards my 8.2" diff upgrade.

[@nataliamiliano150]

@@rowdypaws4x488 Ah okay! I see. Thank you!!

[@ORShenanigans6186-c1x]

Well I have a front end rear locker And center dif drop. On my 05 Toyota Sequoia limited... Is 3.5 total chaos long travel kit.2.5 King shocks.35x12,5x17 Nitto ridgeGrapplers Oh method bead grip technology. Hi clearance metal bumpers With ten thousand pound ropewench. Well I don't have it on there right now but it's in the shop As of this Monday. It will all be on there in a few weeks. I already paid them 38K. There's a bunch of other Bells and whistles like twin Cylinder air pump Installation. And a bunch of other stuff but this is phase one lol.. Next phase I'm getting a super charge. 360 camera system. Yeah I'm pretty disgusted with myself lol

[@Wanderer25]

Is the rear locker standard or a modification?

[@rowdypaws4x488]

It's aftermarket, no USDM GX has ever come stock with a locker, unfortunately 😕 If you can afford it, I HIGHLY recommend installing a locker.

[@Agent.K.]

@@rowdypaws4x488 What type/brand?

[@rowdypaws4x488]

@@Agent.K. I went with an ARB air locker. There was a Harrop e-locker option, and honestly the pros/cons are so close between them that it really comes down your personal set up and preference.

[@ScaleCrawling]

No front diff lock? Then it's not a true 4x4 offroad vehicle.

[@rowdypaws4x488]

In the same sense that a rwd vehicle is only one wheel drive and a truck with a transfer case is only two wheel drive.... ehh sure, why not, this truck is 3wd lol.

[@ScaleCrawling]

@@rowdypaws4x488 That's exactly what I was getting at, hehe. 😄

[@vincesmith764]

said the low knowledge driver of an old s10😅

[@giovannizandron6634]

L'hai tutta rovinata la carrozzeria, però.

[@atroche1978]

This is 'merica!