The "Two-Low" mod

23333 Views 106 Replies 32 Participants Last post by Matt-W, Jan 23, 2007

WATRD

Discussion Starter · Oct 8, 2004 (Edited)

Allows the use of low range on the transfer case without engaging the "Automatic Disconnecting Differential" or "ADD" for four-wheel drive.

http://www.wattora.com/mods/twolow/

Applicable to "push button" 4x4 models.

Edit: Fixing the broken link

81 - 100 of 107 Posts

not2XS

· #81 · Nov 18, 2005

cheez said:
Well, I guess I kind of answered my own question. I just plugged the driver's side blue plug back together and now the locker engages perfectly. Sooo...., what the heck do I need to do to get the 2-lo mod and still have my locker work?

Cheez, I think you may be confused. The 2-low mod uses the blue plug on the PASSENGER SIDE. The alternative locker mod to the grey wire mod was to SHORT OUT the blue plug on the DRIVER'S SIDE.

It sounds like you have push-button 4WD, and so the blue-plug locker mod (on the DRIVER'S side) may not work for you, in which case you would have to use the grey-wire version of the locker mod.

I don't know how the blue plug on the DRIVER'S side might interfere with push-button 4WD, so if it causes you problems you may need to use a double-throw switch. But the grey-wire mod will over-ride anything done at the blue-plug on the DRIVER'S side, as far as the locker is concerned.

cheez

· #82 · Nov 18, 2005

not2XS said:
Cheez, I think you may be confused. The 2-low mod uses the blue plug on the PASSENGER SIDE. The alternative locker mod to the grey wire mod was to SHORT OUT the blue plug on the DRIVER'S SIDE.

It sounds like you have push-button 4WD, and so the blue-plug locker mod (on the DRIVER'S side) may not work for you, in which case you would have to use the grey-wire version of the locker mod.

I don't know how the blue plug on the DRIVER'S side might interfere with push-button 4WD, so if it causes you problems you may need to use a double-throw switch. But the grey-wire mod will over-ride anything done at the blue-plug on the DRIVER'S side, as far as the locker is concerned.

Yep, I do have push-button 4WD. I unplugged the blue plug on the drivers side as shown specifically in the instructions in the first post of this thread (so much for following directions

) It did make it so I could shift into lo without 4WD automatically engaging (as advertised) and everything worked like it should except the locker.

It sounds like I just need to do the gray wire mod along with unplugging this same plug and everything will work just fine, or something. BTW, I looked everywhere and did not see another blue plug on the passenger side.

cheez

· #83 · Nov 24, 2005

Okay, I just did the grey wire mod. The grey wire mod does need to be done in conjuction with the 2-lo mod in order for the locker mod AND 2-lo mod to work. In other words, just unplugging the blue plug on the driver's side for the 2-lo mod makes your locker inoperable until you do the grey wire mod. I feel better now

cheez

· #84 · Nov 24, 2005

not2XS said:
Cheez, I think you may be confused. The 2-low mod uses the blue plug on the PASSENGER SIDE. QUOTE]

That is incorrect, at least for my 2004, V6, TRD, manual tranny, ext. cab. I just did the grey wire mod and unplugged the blue plug on the DRIVER'S SIDE and everything works perfectly now. It is the exact same plug that is shown in the directions linked in the very first post of this thread. There is no blue plug on the passenger's side.

not2XS

· #85 · Nov 24, 2005

Sorry, must be a push-button thing! I didn't look at the picture, just went by the mod on my own truck. Anyway, in that case it makes it inevitable that the grey-wire mod is needed - as you discovered. Appologies for adding confusion!

pi

· #86 · Dec 4, 2005

Zintradi said:
no this wont work... the 05 is more complicated then earlier years.
trails are still being blazed for the 05 as it is basically a completly new truck

Anyone figured this out for the 05's yet?
-Mike

Super Doody

· #87 · Feb 12, 2006

WATRD said:
Yes. This is transparent to lockers, TRD locker included, if you have already done the "gray wire" locker mod.

I been waiting way too long to try this out. Just want to clearify that if you haven't done the grey wire locker mod, your TRD locker will not engage.

Although 2wd lo is great for teaching others to drive a 5sp.

Paul

· #88 · Feb 12, 2006

Super Doody said:
I been waiting way too long to try this out. Just want to clearify that if you haven't done the grey wire locker mod, your TRD locker will not engage.

Although 2wd lo is great for teaching others to drive a 5sp.

Some people say that the locker will still engage, but mine wouldn't. I did the grey wire mod and now it works fine.

cheez

· #89 · Feb 13, 2006

Super Doody said:
I been waiting way too long to try this out. Just want to clearify that if you haven't done the grey wire locker mod, your TRD locker will not engage.

Although 2wd lo is great for teaching others to drive a 5sp.

That's how it was on my '04 manual

pi

· #90 · Feb 13, 2006

Still no way to make this work on the 05's?

Super Doody

· #91 · Feb 13, 2006

WATRD said:
With the switch in the up position, it grounds out the gray wire for the locker mod, allowing the locker to function in all xfer case positions. I did that so that if someone else drives my truck, the locker cannot be accidentally engaged while they are on road

Sorry, I know you are probably sick of talking about this mod. The switch is a good idea but I read that you still have to be below 5 mph to actually engage the locker. Is this true? I mean isnt that the reason why rewiring their lock to a seperate 12v switch?

WATRD

Discussion Starter · #92 · Feb 13, 2006

To be perfectly clear, the switch goes to ground, not to 12 volts...

Yes, you still have to be below 5mph to engage or disengage the locker. Beyond that, I am not sure I understand your question.

Super Doody

· #93 · Feb 13, 2006

WATRD said:
To be perfectly clear, the switch goes to ground, not to 12 volts...

Yes, you still have to be below 5mph to engage or disengage the locker. Beyond that, I am not sure I understand your question.

Yes you are right. I meant this switch from this company:

http://www.12voltguy.com/catalog.0.html2.0.html

A double pole, double throw switch.

WATRD

Discussion Starter · #94 · Feb 13, 2006

I am confused about where you are confused. Locking and unlocking the locker over 5mph is really hard on it. Yes, you could bypass the stock ECU all together and install that switch, but it still not a going to be a good idea to lock it over 5mph, so all you have done is removed the safety factor the stock ECU provides.

The switch I was referring to doesn't replace the stock switch, just enables it. Off the locker only works in 4-lo, on and the locker works in all positions. But, the engaged disengage safety remains in effect. Of course, once it's engaged, it will remain thus at any speed...

Dick Foster

· #95 · Feb 13, 2006

It's not locking or unlocking above 5mph that is the reason to do the switch. The real reason is to simplify the system so that it's functional. I think the stock control box has too many inputs so it winds up getting confused and doesn't work half the time. Their attempt at fool proofing has rended it unuseable in many cases. There is no replacement for a brain. You just have to be sure and use it. If you don't trust yourself to think or are not willing to bear the consequences of doing something dumb, I would recommend that you NOT do the mod.

Super Doody

· #96 · Feb 13, 2006

WATRD said:
I am confused about where you are confused. Locking and unlocking the locker over 5mph is really hard on it. Yes, you could bypass the stock ECU all together and install that switch, but it still not a going to be a good idea to lock it over 5mph, so all you have done is removed the safety factor the stock ECU provides.

The switch I was referring to doesn't replace the stock switch, just enables it. Off the locker only works in 4-lo, on and the locker works in all positions. But, the engaged disengage safety remains in effect. Of course, once it's engaged, it will remain thus at any speed...

I apologize for the confusion. What I meant was that with the seperate switch hooked up to the locker, you can by pass the some time trouble some stock switch. Because as stated in the rear lock mod section http://www.ttora.com/wiki/index.php/Rear_Locker, you sometimes have roll forward or reverse for a short distance before the locker engages.

I never intend to engage my locker at speeds

not2XS

· #97 · Feb 13, 2006 (Edited)

Super Doody said:
...you sometimes have roll forward or reverse for a short distance before the locker engages...

That's not an issue when you actually need it. All it needs is for the teeth on both sides to line up. If you are stuck because of lack of traction on one side, all you have to do is give it a tiny amount of power and the wheel that is slipping only needs to turn a few degrees to line up with the wheel that is not moving, and it will lock.

The problem only occurs when you anticipate needing the locker, and press the button ahead of actually getting stopped. The danger is that you may be giving it some skinny on the obstacle when you actually get some wheel slip and it engages.

Despite any idiot proofing, you can always get a bigger idiot.

PS. Having the locker suddenly engage while one wheel is stopped and the other is spinning like crazy is possibly the only way of breaking the axle shaft (with appropriate sized tires).

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rogersja63

· #98 · Jun 13, 2006

Btt

Anyone figure this out for the '05's yet?

kamperbob

· #99 · Jul 5, 2006

Just wanted to say THANKS!

I've used 4LO a lot when I really just wanted 2LO to move my camper around at low speed without stirring the ATF so much. I had pulled the fuse temporarily, and was about to open the shift console to go looking for switches and wires. This mod is EXACTLY what I wanted. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

Rock on!
-Bob

trd04taco

· #100 · Nov 21, 2006

I attempted this mod a while ago and had the same problem that cheez had with the locker not being able to engage. I have since done the grey wire mod and added a switch to it. I plan on going about the 2-low mod a bit differently. Here's what I want to do:
I'm trying to add a switch into the center console that taps into the microswitches in the transfer case stick that engages the front diff. when I move it to low range (right under the center console plastic). I think it just closes the same circuit that the 4WD switch does so if I put a switch in that circuit I'm thinking that it will allow me to interrupt the circuit and not engage the front diff. I think if this works, it will be simpler than the method everyone else is using and might not even have the issue with the rear locker. I will be attempting it in a couple weeks and will let you all know what I find.

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