On my T2, the locking mechanism on the transfer case is built into the case itself. According to the switch and the electronics, the center diff (in the t-case) has to be locked first and THEN you can lock the rear diff. Which makes sense. It would be very rare that you would want the rear locked and NOT have the t-case diff to be locked in low range.correct row t3s have optional 4xmotion with low tcase....i dont think importing one is something id consider, just playing with ideas...am i wrong in assuming that lock center is built in the 4x tcase? Which would mean no diff swaps unless i wanted rear lock.
Just wanted to see if someone is fluent in this and could tell me if its reasonably possible...changing the tcase and electrical isnt that hard more difficult would be how much needs to be changed possibly ecu as well to communicate with the new cluster...not to sure.
A guy can dream, problem is doesnt seem anyone is up for modding t3s.
not entirely true...the 4motion t3 has edl (electronic diff lock)..it works ive tried it. However id still rather 4x retro or electric lockerHm, not really true re: center diff.
Unless there's been some mix-up, the center diff in the T3 is a torque biasing differential. The F&R being open, there's a very good reason you'd want to potentially lock the rear. Torque biasing requires torque potential on one side to transfer any to the other.
So take the scenario of a ditch, if you fully lift one front and one rear tire into the air, you can't make any torque to either tire on the ground. You're stuck, because you have an open diff on each end, and a free spinning wheel on that open diff.
If you can lock the rear, you will make torque at the rear wheel that's on the ground. You'll still spin the free wheel in the front, but you at least have potential for movement in the rear.
There's a whole mix of differential setups for different scenarios, honestly just a limited slip unit in the rear would prevent a lot of common ones.
thanks stuart are we sure this is t3 stuff? just wasnt sure seeing row gets either or i didnt think they would be totally differentAs the 4Motion is equipped with Torsen Diffs (https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Torsen) and. The 4XMotion are open spool, you will need to replace the following items, as per the VW Parts listings.
Front & Rear differentials
Front and Rear prop shafts
Transfer case
Gearbox
Gearbox Controller
ABS module
ESP Module ( part of ABS)
Transmission wiring harness
ABS wiring harness
Gearbox wiring harness
And any number of assorted small items..
Good luck!
Stuart...
I'm factoring EDL in here. EDL is just wheel braking, it doesn't actually lock any of the differentials. Instead, the wheel braking can provide torque for the torque biasing. So the situation I described where you have a front and rear off, the center is biasing 0 and 0 because of open front and rear. If it provides braking force to the front open wheel, you'll still spin away the torque at the rear open wheel. If you have any sort of slip limiter in the rear, that may give you enough force to get out. With an open diff, it'll just spin away.not entirely true...the 4motion t3 has edl (electronic diff lock)..it works ive tried it. However id still rather 4x retro or electric locker
Your scenario described is easily done with not using any locks at all. I have been in that situation multiple times in both of my Tregs and drove right out of it. I have yet to find a need for the center lock at all. I have been on some pretty knarly stuff and Aircooled can vouch for it for he was there with me doing the same thing in his Touareg. They are way more capable then most will ever know. I have gone places in my Treg most would cringe when they saw it. I feel most who have the first gen really need to take them out and find out what they can really do off road. You have a whole new respect for them after you see what they are capable of off road. I still have my doubts about the T3's we get here since they don't have the low range and are more softly sprung then the previous gen models. I could be very wrong about the T3, but I am not willing to take someone with one places I have been in mine. Just my opinion and it may not be a valid one, but I stand by it.I'm factoring EDL in here. EDL is just wheel braking, it doesn't actually lock any of the differentials. Instead, the wheel braking can provide torque for the torque biasing. So the situation I described where you have a front and rear off, the center is biasing 0 and 0 because of open front and rear. If it provides braking force to the front open wheel, you'll still spin away the torque at the rear open wheel. If you have any sort of slip limiter in the rear, that may give you enough force to get out. With an open diff, it'll just spin away.