The thing I still haven't got my head round is about the low range and the Centre Diff Locking. If I want low range to be able to drive freely between grass and tarmac, do I have to look for a D2 with the full difflock functionality, or does it not difflock if just the label is there, but no functionality?
If it just has the label, is it easy to tell whether it has CDL or not without tearing up a dealer's forecourt or the tyres?
The CDL was fitted as standard tothe D1, or so I believe. With the increase of electronics on the D2, there was the ability to use an electronic traction control system instead of the CDL, consequently it then became an optional extra on most D2 versions although it was still standard on other versions, even with traction control.
Depending on the year of manufacture, the transfer box might or might not have the internal bits and pieces with only the external linkage missing.
The label which is stuck on the centre console is a generic label and doesn't indicate whether or not the CDL is fitted, only how to use it if it is in place.
To check definitively, you will have to get out and get under to verify the presence of the acuating spigot which is on the top of the transfer box, towards the front end. If that is present then it should be possible to modify the vehicle to accept the external linkage to operate it.
On the Hi/lo selector lever, there might be embossed on the knob either just the hi-n-lo markings or the hi-n-lo plus the diff lock markings, although not always a good indicator, it might help. The ability to move the selector lever to the left might also be a good indicator of the presence of the CDL, but not being able to move the lever does not mean that the CDL is not fitted, only that the linkage might be seized.
The use of the CDL is a particular off-road device, under "normal" conditions, the traction control is more than adequate for the job.
