Now you would think that after doing breaking something once, I would learn. Apparently I am dumber than that. See, I figured the 100 Series Landcruiser that I had owned for a grand total of 6 hours was tougher than the Hilux Surf. Oops, wrong. Call the flatbed towtruck.
OK, here it is simply. If you own a Toyota 4WD, whatever the version, and want the rear LSD to get you out of a really nasty spot offroad, do NOT, EVER use the foot brakes to help. I know it works in Hummers, I know it helps to lock up the rear LSD, – Still DON’T, not even gently. The front diff will tear itself apart. You can use the handbrake all you like (Toyota handbrakes are only for decoration, they don’t actually do anything), but don’t use the foot brakes.
The brakes are biased to the front, and the front brakes are larger the rear. When you are on Low range with an auto, the rear brakes will always slip first, this puts 100% of the torque into the front diff. Guess what, it’s smaller than the rear, and defiantly won’t cope, even with moderate braking. If it’s an IFS Cruiser, it only just copes with normal driving.
Yes the brakes lock up the rear LSD and that helps you out, but you’ll smash so much in the process, you’ll be stuck anyway. Use the handbrake all you like, if that doesn’t work, you are stuck, sorry.
FYI: Mine is a HZJ105 with the “stronger” live axle and larger front diff. Still not tough enough.
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