[Judochop]

Hey guys new hear but been lurking for a bit after 5 months researching finally going to pull the trigger and found a 2015 Pro-4x with the luxury package. I am heading to test drive it tomorrow, I've driven other 4WD trucks and vehicles with and without lockers and all have their own particular way of engaging and testing it out. I would appreciate a solid idea of what to look out for on the truck and in particular the best way to test the 4WD and diff lock on the Frontier. I noticed a grassy area nearby where they take pictures and figured I could take it there to test 4Lo and 4Hi. Regarding the diff locker is there anything on the dash that displays it is engaged? Any particular thing I need to after turning it off? I know some vehicles need to travel a couple feet to disengage the lockers or even to disengage the 4WD. Just trying to get an idea of what to expect with the Pro4x and best way to test everything. Also any insight into common things I should look out for so far truck looks great with solid Carfax but has 80k miles. I can tell dealership has replaced tires because there's currently HTs on it. But would really appreciate any insights on the Frontier 4wd and diff lock testing any other gotchas at the 80k mileage mark. It does appear the 60k service was done at a Nissan dealer. Thank you for any insight!

 

[raine]

Turn the diff locker on, and do a burnout.
If there's two rubber tracks, it works.

 

[Trent Larson]

I've only engaged mine a few times but you can only use the rear diff in low 4X4. So mostly doing engaging and dis- engaging at full stop. But its fully electric which is nice.

 

[Nissan4Life]

doubt you will be able to do a burn out in 4wd LOW with the diff lock engaged. I am sure the owner would be pissed if you tried.

If the truck engages 4wd, goes into low range, and the lock light stays on after it is engaged, you can generally assume that it is working. Sometimes it will take a while for the diff lock to stop flashing.

 

[jpswain4]

1. rolling slowly - up to 40mph actually, go into 4-high.
2. when stopped, flip to 4-low - roll slowly from N into 1st and it should engage. If manual - push in/release clutch or put in neutral and then into gear.
3. while stopped and in 4-low, flip switch for rear-locker . It should show up on the dash and you'll feel a little bit of a difference when rolling slowly, espcially if turning at all.
Be sure you're on dirt/grass...

 

[TwoWheelsDown]

I have to turn the steering wheel 1/4 turn in either direction and roll about 5 feet in either direction (forward or reverse) for the transfer case to complete its shift from 4H to 2H.

You can shift from 2H to 4H or from 4H to 2H at any speed up to 62mph/100km/h as long as all four wheels are rotating at the same speed. In other words, you have to be going in a straight line and not have any slipping wheels. The shift-on-the-fly system won't shift if it doesn't meet all the parameters.

I believe shifting into 4L requires you to come to a complete stop, shift to neutral, shift the transfer case from 4H to 4L, then shift into drive/reverse. At least that's the way I've always done it.

 

[RobFrisco415]

DON'T FORGET TO PUT IN (N) FIRST BEFORE ENGAGING 4L AND/OR DIFF

 

[CT_Nismo]

I think the only way you can test the diff lock is to jack up the entire truck and watch the two rear wheels spin in tandem.

 

[Judochop]

Thanks for all the awesome answers guys! I am now the owner of a 2015 Pro 4X. Test drive went awesome the dealership even had a sandpit area that they shared with a Ford dealership next door. Drove it 4 and a half hours back home and love this truck. Appreciate the help you will no doubt be seeing me more. Raine been following your build and super impressed with your mods are the Katara LED headlights still working out well?

 

[raine]

Welcome to the club officially!

It's "Katana"...and yes, I'm still using the same original set I bought back in 2018.

 

[Nissan4Life]

I think the only way you can test the diff lock is to jack up the entire truck and watch the two rear wheels spin in tandem.

If you do that with an open diff both sides will spin too.

If you jack up one side of a rear axle with a rolling floor jack so that one wheel is in the air and the other on the ground. Then drive forward. An open diff will spin the wheel in the air and not advance. A limited slip will be able to move forward. If you place a 2x4 in front of the wheel on the ground, most factory LSD will not be able to roll over the 2x4 and be stuck. A locker will.