Nissan Patrol 4x4 (Africa)

On particularly the newer model Patrols, can the std, rear diff lock be engaged in high range, or is there some safety mechanism stopping it from happening?

Going for a quick spin around the block, will let you know in a second!

On my 4.5 Y61 the diff lock can be activated in 4L and 4H, but then again 10 years old is probably not "newer model", hey .

Not sure about this one as the book says it only engages in 4L under 7km/h - but I may be wrong!

My question should really have been, if I' driving along in 4x4 high at say 60km/hr and say my kid, my knee, whatever, engages difflock, what'll happen?

G-Man, where are you?

The wheels should not turn when you engage difflock otherwise you might have expensive repairs. Will check but I think the electronics will not allow the difflock to engage above 7 km/h.

According to the Manual:

System Description
The differential lock operates only in 4WD.
The differential lock control unit interrupts current flowing through
differential lock solenoid-2 when vehicle speed exceeds 7 km/h (4
MPH). If the differential lock switch is accidentally turned on when
vehicle speed is greater than 7 km/h (4 MPH), the control unit will
prevent the differential lock from sustaining impact damage.
A warning buzzer will sound when the vehicle is driven over 20
km/h (12 MPH) with the differential lock engaged.

Sjoe! Just got back from my drive around the block.. Works in 4h and nothing happens when you push the button at speeds up to 60km/h...! I did not attempt pushing the button at higher speeds.

Herrie wrote:...the book says it only engages in 4L under 7km/h

Just to be certain, the owners manual says the diff lock can be switced on when:
1) the vehicle speed is below 7 km/h
2) the engine is running (or rather when vacuum is present, I think)
3) 2 wheel drive is not selected

Once the diff lock is engaged, it will remain engaged until the vehicle is switched off or shifted into two wheel drive. A warning chime sounds if the speed exceeds 20 km/h to remind you about the locked diff, presumably because of the understeer that this induces and the fact that this could be tricky at high speed. It is great that the lock remains engaged (i.e. is not de-activated by the ECU at some speed) and that it can be used in 4H and 4L.

The facts that the lock can not be engaged above 7km/h nor in 2H are probably sufficient to safeguard the system against accidental activation.

Herrie wrote:The wheels should not turn when you engage difflock otherwise you might have expensive repairs.

The rear wheels can be rotating together at a rotational speed less than that which would be consistent with 7km/h, but there should not be significant relative speed between the rear wheels (as when turning a sharp corner or when one rear wheel is spinning out), because then diff lock engagement will be accompanied by shock loading, which could lead to damage.

Some relative motion between the rear wheels is often needed to allow the diff lock dog clutches to align and engage.

Not a good idea

Rather use your diff lock at low speeds and only when you're attempting a serious obstacle. I try to use my diff lock as little as possible and I still succeed in getting over most obstacles with out it. Some how I am very scared to cause damage to the rear diff and drive shafts. That not only leaves you stranded in the wild, it will cost a moerse lot of money to repair. Which is not nice.

I find that I require my diff lock only when very serious articulation is required, where the wheels are one up and one way down..I participated in the recent George's Valley event and it was great fun. Used my diff lock only a couple of times. There is a warning "ping - Ping" when you exceed 20km/h. I do believe that this is a safety feature though.