Land Rover Discovery DII CDL Handle

I have fabricated a Manual Center Diff Lock Handle for my Discovery II.  It is a "bullet-proof", inexpensive way to engage the center diff on a DII.  This handle attaches to the CDL stud on the transfer case and passes between the frame and the body on the right side of the vehicle.  To engage the CDL simply drop to one knee, reach under the vehicle, and pull the handle. To disengage, push the handle back in.

I have re-fabricated the bracket that fits over the stud on the transfer case to have a "rise" to give clearance over a spline on the T-case.  This allows you to attach it to the CDL stud and have the clearance necessary to make it fit over the fuel line running along the top of the frame.  The arm runs between the frame and the body and exits just aft of the forward body mount.  The bracket on the handle attaches to the inside of the frame to hold the handle in place.  I made the mounting bracket small so it is tricky to install both screws without an angle drill.  The brackets I made hold perfectly well with one screw as the picture above shows on my vehicle. (I supply 2:  1/4" stainless self-tapping screws to mount it).  The bracket mounts against the frame and a small frame part that sticks out securing the bracket along the edge facing towards the rear of the vehicle.  If you want the handle now and you would prefer a longer bracket, I'll have longer ones made to ease the installation and supply them to you at no cost when I have them in hand.  (My apology: I didn't think about the need for the angle drill when I made the bracket because I have the drill.  My friend pointed out that the drill issue may be a problem for most people).  As I said above, the handle will work  perfectly well mounted with one screw in the bracket until I can get you a longer bracket should you need one.    

If anybody is interested in these handles, I had a few extras made.  The final product was made by a "professional" fab shop so I am offering them at $69.95 with all hardware included (Texas Residents add 8.25 % for sales tax).  The shipping is $10 for FEDEX overnight (deliveries outside continental U.S. are subject to additional shipping charges).  I also coated the handle end with tool-grip latex on the ones that I have to make the handle easier to see (as opposed to making a pretty handle).

Honestly, for about 15 bucks, you can easily make a working model of this design that will function adequately.  One of the thumb-nails above has all the dimensions on it for the adventurous.  I just wanted mine to be sturdier and look better than the one I hand-made.  I figured some of you out in Rover land would also want a "nice" one so that's why I had some extras made.   Also, I am having some "extra" brackets made to fit over the stud for those who will need them for those of you who make your own handle and just want the bracket.  I should have these in a week or two.  You can buy this bracket from Land Rover or any Rover parts place (if they have them) but the kit it comes in costs about $50.   

I have installed this setup on three of my friends vehicles so far and none of the installations required more than slight "optimization" of the handle arm to make it fit. 

Included Hardware:
Handle, Bracket, 8mm Nylock Nut & Washer to mount bracket to CDL Stud, 2 Self-tapping screws to mount bracket to frame (all mounting hardware stainless steel)

This "mod" will be the highest-gain performance mod available for the cost for the DII--REALLY ..........

For more info, contact me at curquieta@chrisurquieta.com

OTHER CDL OPTIONS
My solution is a very simple, but totally functional add-on.  There are many beautiful, sophisticated options out there for the DII owner when it comes to the CDL issue.  My handle will be one of the easiest installations while one of the more complex but nicest installations involves retro-fitting a DI transfer case handle to the DII.  Excellent instructions for this install can be found at:
http://expeditionexchange.com/cdl/

Some other excellent ideas can be found at :
http://www.discoweb.org ,in the tech section.