How Does It Work?

Newbie looking for some info. Going to be test driving some 4th gen 4Runners soon. I found this on Wikipedia: "both systems used a lockable Torsen center differential." How does this center diff work? Does it lock the front/rear diffs? More like limited slip? How can I tell if it is working properly? Does it "lock" automatically or manually? Anything else I should look for/check out on a test drive specific to this vehicle? Thanks, Stan.

 

Center is a limited-slip differential with a manual lock option. I believe torque split is 30 front, 70 rear by default? Don’t quote me.

2WD > 4WD (high and low) is handled by the knob. You can drive on dry pavement in any of these. Center lock is a separate button and is activated manually - you should not drive on high traction surfaces with the center locked active.

I believe V6’s have the 2WD option while V8’s are full-time 4WD and lack the 2WD option on the knob.

Center diff lock only locks the front and rear axles together like a part-time 4WD system. You still have open front and rear differentials. (except for the optional rear locker in 2009)

 

Thank you. Just what I wanted to know.

 

IIRC, I was in 4LO locked in this video. The spotters comment on how the system is sending power to the appropriate wheels.

 

Looks like it works pretty well. Thank you.