I have a 2004 Discovery and I thought that all 2004's came with DIFF LOCK???? I usually dont go off road and have not had a reason to try it, owned the car for a year now. Past weekend I was in Northern Michigan and got stuck in 3 feet of snow. Tried to lock the diff to get out of snow but short shifter only goes forward and back, I asume forward is only for low gears, up to 40 mph, it would not shift to the left...
Can one of you great experts please explain this to me?
2004:
You do have diff lock. It is a central diff lock, actuated from the transfer case. The problem you outline will probably (but not definitively) be because the linkage has not been 'exercised' for a number of years. You may have to crawl under the car, clean out the accumulated goop around the linkage, and try again. If that does not work, try soaking the linkage where you can with a light lubricant.
Don't try and force it, but work it firmly to see if you can loosen it up and get it to engage. It is for this reason that I make a habit of engaging my low range lever on a regular basis, just to make sure it works properly when you really need it! And as a suggestion, search this forum for more information from people who know a heck of a lot more than me.
Understandable. I will look for the linkage so I can inspect it, clean it and lube it, would this be visable from under the vehicle or do I have to rip my center console apart?
Also, do I shift from HI to LOW and then Left to lock the diff? WOuld that be the proper way?
The differential lock can be engaged in any position. It's typically a good idea to be moving slowly in a straight line or not at all. The diagram shows all the pathways and below 40mph.
Best way to reach it is from the passenger side underneath the truck. On that side of the transmission is the transfer case where the two driveshafts connect. The linkage goes from the top of the transfer case to the shifter. It might help to have someone else wiggle the shifter from inside the cabin while you feel for movement. Good Luck! I wish I had one on my Disco. 2004 was the only year of the Series 2 Discovery that it came fully functional from the factory.
Selecting diff lock
The diff lock can be engaged or disengaged either with the vehicle stationary, or when driving at any speed. However, with the vehicle in motion, it is ESSENTIAL to be travelling on firm ground, in a straight line, and without wheel slip.
To lock the differential
Move the transfer gear lever to the left - from either ‘H’ (high) or ‘L’ (low) gearbox (the warning light on the instrument panel will illuminate).
To unlock the differential
Move the transfer gear lever to the right - to either ‘H’ (high) or ‘L’ (low) gearbox as required; when the diff lock disengages, the warning light will extinguish.
Carmaniac:
I am not sure about the States, but here in South Africa a large number of Disco 2 units had all the guts for CDL included in the transfer case, but for some stupid reason no linkage was provided. Apparently, you can use a 10mm wrench, crawl under and engage the CDL if desired. Some guys have drilled a hole through the floorboards adjacent to the console and use a 3/8" drive socket extension with a 10mm socket to engage/disengage the CDL. It is a heck of a lot cheaper than $650 for the aftermarket Ashcroft CDL linkage sold on the internet. Alternatively, some guys use a D1 linkage and make it work.
Check this link; 2001 Disco II CDL install - DiscoWeb Message Boards
Let us all know if you get ambitious and try this out! And remember, if there are no pictures, it did not happen....
I know all about that. 99-02 (some specific VIN range) have the mechanism. Mine's an 03, no mechanism, no shifter, probably prone to oil pump failure, but oh well it's mine.
2004 used a cable shift setup as opposed to the discovery 1 style mechanical rod shifter.
Sounds like the cable and or the shifter itself has seized over time due to a lack of use.
I converted my 2000 d2 using a rod style shifter from a 1996 d1. Works well but the side to side movement of the shifter was seized solid when I removed it from the 1996. Works great now but commonly seize up. I would expect the same has happened on your 2004.
You are likely going to have to pull it apart and un seize and lubricate it
I had a replacement trans put in a few months ago and the differential was stuck on. So I definitely know it works. Haha. To get it unstuck I had to be moving slowly, though I forget if I was in drive or if I put it in neutral while moving.
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