Interesting! After poking around a bit, it appears that only the 98 and 99 LCs could not run 4 LO unlocked without the mod you referenced. 00-07 you could (which is what I was familiar with--I assumed all 100 Series were the same.
Hmm. I wouldn't consider myself an expert, but every 100 Series I've ever seen has the CDL button for a center diff lock. This is a picture of a 1999 LC, and the CDL button is in the lower left corner--the depiction of the drivetrain with an X for the center diff. Perhaps it functions...
100 Series (and 4th gen/GX) have a center diff lock to lock the center differential at will. So engaging 4 Lo does not lock the T-case--only puts it in low range. The CDL button must be pushed to engage the center differential lock.