Centre diff.

I have recently bought a 280GE LWB. Does the center diff lock automatically when 4wd is engaged or only when in low range?<br><p>

: I have recently bought a 280GE LWB. Does the center diff lock automatically when 4wd is engaged or only when in low range?<p>What year model is your 280GE? On my 1984, there is NO center diff lock per se; only the optional diff locks on each axle.<br><br><p>

Scott,<p>Sound like a LandRover question.<br>The 460 series (your 280GE is part of that series)and 461 series do not have a center differential because it is a part time 4WD system - however, both axles have differential locks.<p>The 463 series (full time 4WD) has a center differential that is open in 4Hi as well as in 4Lo. A center differential lock can be engaged electrically (switch on dash) - both axle differentials can be engaged electrically as well.<br><p>

re: "...Does the center diff lock automatically when 4wd is engaged or only when in low range?..."<p>I hope that you did not buy that GWagen thinking that it had a center differential -- there is no center differential, period! [The 1990-on W463 (e.g., 300GE, 320GE, G320, etc.) has such a center differential, but the pre-1990 GWagens (e.g., your 280GE) do not].<br>In your G, the front and rear driveshafts are either disconnected from each other (and only the rear axle is driven by the engine), in 2WD high; or else they are firmly locked together (no differential action between them, and both driven by the engine, of course), in both 4WD high and also 4WD low.<br>Realize, therefore, that your GWagen must NEVER be driven in either of the 4WD modes on paved road conditions that do not offer a considerable slipperiness (to allow enough tire slip on curves or turns to compensate for the different front-vs-rear turning radii that a center differential would ordinarily take care of) -- otherwise, you will encounter severe binding of the drivetrain! Snow, sand, mud, are all okay -- but I wouldn't consider merely roads that are wet with rain to be suitable for 4WD unless the roads were flooded and there was a bit of wheelspin from time to time -- most decent tires will not allow such slip on merely wet roads.<br>I hope that you're not disappointed with your G that you cannot use 4WD more often that this -- you will find that, overall, the G is very competent and 4WD is not even needed at all, even off road. Save the 4WD components for when you really need it.<br><br><p>

"I hope that you're not disappointed with your G that you cannot use 4WD more often that this -- you will find that, overall, the G is very competent and 4WD is not even needed at all, even off road. Save the 4WD components for when you really need it."<p><br>Thanks for your help guys, and don't worry Ken I havn't been dissapointed on or off road so far.<p>Scott<p><br><p>