Manual Locking Hubs

[AlaskaVX]

I have manual locking hubs on mine and like the fact that my 4 wheel drive seems to work MUCH better in reverse now, before the fronts would not spin in a tough situation now they seem to always work. I thought we had autolocking hubs that would only lock when going forward, thats why I switched. Also to help save my CV's.

When I was racing at the track I had a switch to disengage the TOD, I would unlock the hubs, and at one point I even dropped the front driveshaft to try to get as much power to the rears as possible. I believe this helped but I don't think the gain was really worth it. Maybe -0.2 seconds in a quarter mile. But it was cool to be able to light the rear M/T tires up before I got to the line.

[VehiGAZ]

I thought we had autolocking hubs that would only lock when going forward, thats why I switched.

I don't think this is right - I am pretty sure that ours our permanently locked. My buddy at work had a ToD Trooper that had auto-lockers and it made noises the VX never did - you could hear the hubs click as they engaged after putting it into ToD or 4WD-Low. After you switched out of 4WD, I think you had to drive in reverse a few feet to unlock the hubs (not sure on this point and can't find my buddy to ask). In the VX we are always in some level of 4WD-Hi, so the hubs have to stay locked.

If you had issues with the front axle when going in reverse, that was probably because of the transfer case, not the hubs.

[Solitude]

I am pretty sure that ours our permanently locked. My buddy at work had a ToD Trooper that had auto-lockers and it made noises the VX never did - you could hear the hubs click as they engaged after putting it into ToD or 4WD-Low. After you switched out of 4WD, I think you had to drive in reverse a few feet to unlock the hubs (not sure on this point and can't find my buddy to ask). In the VX we are always in some level of 4WD-Hi, so the hubs have to stay locked.

I agree with the last statement.. our hubs are locked all the time and the TOD is what decides where to send what..

The part about using old parts of junks to improve though was not on my plan
I was going to use aftermarkets locking hubs..

I know that difference of opinions are out there.. but it is better to agree to disagree silently or state your opinion from real time use and move on

no reason to discount other opinions.. there are numerous ones on many topics that are personal and important in themselves..

I have learned a few things from the responses.. but didnt resurrect this thread to get into a pi$$in contest

so.. having said that..

anymore thoughts to be shared from personal experiences real time would be appreciated.. otherwise I will let it die

peace
Jeff

[VehiGAZ]

I didn't mean to discount anyone's opinions - sorry if I came across that way. I tried to make a point that I thought there was limited value in the mod to an unlifted VX (i.e, just sharing my opinion as others have) - clearly, the lifted folks benefit from unlockable hubs.

[Greasemonkey]

Hi (this is as far as i have determined but i will confirm when i have had a better look) i think when the 2wd is selected the front prop stops turning and the front axle disconnects from the drive shafts using an internal clutch very similar to the shift on the fly system on the 'rodeo' US or 'Frontera B UK . so the outer CV joints turn the drive shaft and the inner joints but the diff doesn't turn because the internal part of the drive shafts are disconnected using a clutch type mechanism - which means that the front prop doesn't move either - its all very complex and so much to go wrong with sensors etc
if it is the same then i can change from 2wd to 4wd at any speed up to 50mph the same as the shift on the fly system as fitted to my wifes car but i shall be having a really good look in a few weeks time as i will be doing all the fluid changes
cheers
Steve

[VehiGAZ]

Ahhh - I think I can picture what you are describing. Sounds like it is more complex and capable than out US-spec VX ToD. :-(

[Greasemonkey]

Hi yes no auto hubs to mess up but more to go wrong - the SOT system on the rodeo is vacumn operated will examine the VX and find out more on Sunday
cheers
Steve