Manualy engaging 4wd hubs

[guh2stroke]

On a 4WD, when you lock the hubs, it is ready to be engaged but is not in 4WD until you shift it. Could you just leave it like this when you drive around on the highway as long as it is not in 4WD? I'm sure this sounds stupid to you guys that are experienced, but I would rather look dumb by asking than find out the hard way. :{

 

[RSchwarzli]

Yeah it can be done. When we get a good snow around here, I leave them locked so if I need 4wd on the way to work I can engage it in a second if need be. Would I recomend doing it in the summer when you don't engage it for 6 months, no, then I think it is unnesesary wear on the front end. Mabee I am wrong though, in that event, pipe in here guys.



Welcome to the funny farm, you are gonna love it here! Oo.

 

[AKimmel]

I don't think it would be a problem, all the new dodges don't even have selectable hubs. So, the front end spins all the time on them. But, leaving the hubs locked adds wear to the bearings and u-joints in the front end and the front driveshaft, not to mention a reduction in fuel mileage.

 

[ptmoore]

i think driving around with the hubs locked and not in 4wheel drive only causes extra drag and wear and tear. it is ok to lock them in in advance of needing to shift into 4wd, that way you won't have to get out to lock them before you get stuck. only the early style closed knuckle style front axles needed to be locked in occasionaly to lube the internal parts

 

[chunter]

guh2stroke - Yes, you can drive around with hubs locked, but you will get better fuel economy if you run them unlocked and then lock them in before heading up the trail or driving in snow or mud.

FWIW - I don't do much 4 wheelin anymore, but I make it point to drive around town with my hubs locked every 3 -4 months just to keep everything lubed up and free turning.

 

[TWilkening]

We usually lock them in when it starts staying icy here, and leave them locked in till spring. Then again, the majority of our driving is gravel roads. Now if we're going to do a lot of highway travel when they are cleared off, we'll unlock them.

 

[JBurghard]

I live in Wyoming and I leave them locked all winter. And for good measure come spring time I drain the front diff and replace the fluids.

 

[BushWakr - RIP]

Yup, I'm gonna go with reduced mileage and uneven tire wear if you do...



pb...

 

[91W350]

Your front driveshaft slip joint will last longer if you leave them locked in. But it is a lot cheaper than front differential parts. In short though, you'll pay a little extra for fuel. It will be much more convenient to use 4x4. I always left mine unlocked, usually until it meant I was wading out there and reaching down in the mud to lock them in. I had a 1958 Apache 3/4 ton that I drove way too many miles. It had the Birfield (SP) axles, a heavy ball and socket with seven bearings for the drive force instead of a big U-joint. I ran it enough that the bearings wore a groove in the knuckle, it made all kinds of nasty clicking noises when turning in four wheel drive. The front axle assembly never broke, in spite of my youthful ignorance and abuse. It would however beat the driveshaft slip joint out about every 50 to 75 thousand miles. That particular truck was a NAPCO conversion and the transfer case was divorced from the transmission. The front drive shaft was extremely long and bouncing down the road with the front end unlocked, it would beat the slip joint to death. Engage it when you think you might need it, leave it unlocked the reat of the time and it will probably outlive the rest of the truck. Unless you are trying to pull something in reverse, the rear axle still does most of the work. A Dana 60 is a very strong unit. Glen

 

[CSchafer]

My therory is that if the rearend can turn all the time why can't the front. 90% of the u joints I have changed have been because they were dry and rusted not because of just wearing out. I would bet that it hurts milage alittle though.

my thoughts anyway.

Cade

 

[91W350]

I see a lot more damage coming from water, mud and sand getting through the axle seals than I ever saw from use. The front axle seals are not nearly as well protected as the rear axle seals are. Ever pull the front cover off and find a rust line through the ring gear? Not cool! Rust pits in the differential gears and bearings pitted out, kind of makes you sick to your stomach, not to mention the damage to your wallet. Glen

 

[crobertson1]

I leave 'em locked in case 4x4 is needed too.



AKimmel-SWEET truck!