Transmission, TOD and hub questions.

[tom4bren]

1. What benefits have you found having the manual hubs?

For me, the sole purpose of installing the manual hubs was so that I could tow the VX '4 down' behind the RV. Of course, I also had to install a quick disconnect on the rear driveshaft for that.

I seriously doubt that you'll see a significant increase in mpg after installing manual hubs. The jury is still out on that one but I didn't see any improvement. I didn't install the TOD 'off' switch'.

2. Have you had any issues with the drive train using them?

None at all. My TOD light was flashing before I put on the manual hubs ... & it still does.

3. Do you know if it affects the TOD system in a good or bad way? Or does it not affect it at all?

In my experience ... not at all (of course that's a statistical sample of 'one').

4. If you leave them locked, does it just work like a normal stock VX?

Yes

5. Do I need the TOD off switch I have read about to do the manual hubs?

I don't have the switch. Mebbe sometime in the future but so far it just wasn't worth the effort.

Please let me know how the manual hubs have worked for you and tell me any information I may not have thought of and asked about that might be helpful.

Thanks,
Chris

Chris,

I was worried about running the manual hubs with the TOD because I just didn't like the idea of power being applied to the front differential with no load. That ended up being an unfounded concern. So far it's worked out great for me. I think I did a How2 on the install. Lemme know if you need it.

Tom

[bartmanS4]

I have the TOD on/off switch with no manual hubs. The switch was installed by the previous owner and doesn't have the resistor mod so when the TOD is bypassed I get an error light under the TOD display. This doesn't bother me because it gives me an indication that I'm in 2WD, otherwise the only way I know is by rear wheel slippage. I don't see any reason to go with manual hubs unless you have a locker or plan on towing like Tom mentioned.
Scott

[CatFish]

Chris,

I was worried about running the manual hubs with the TOD because I just didn't like the idea of power being applied to the front differential with no load. That ended up being an unfounded concern. So far it's worked out great for me. I think I did a How2 on the install. Lemme know if you need it.

Tom

I have the TOD on/off switch with no manual hubs. The switch was installed by the previous owner and doesn't have the resistor mod so when the TOD is bypassed I get an error light under the TOD display. This doesn't bother me because it gives me an indication that I'm in 2WD, otherwise the only way I know is by rear wheel slippage. I don't see any reason to go with manual hubs unless you have a locker or plan on towing like Tom mentioned.
Scott

Thanks for the info guys, sounds like I can just install the TOD off switch and get what I want.

Scott, when you have the TOD off do the lights for the front wheels in the TOD display still light up?

[bartmanS4]

Thanks for the info guys, sounds like I can just install the TOD off switch and get what I want.

Scott, when you have the TOD off do the lights for the front wheels in the TOD display still light up?

No, the front wheel lights stay unlit but the auto and rear wheels are lit along with the Check light (I stated Error before but it is Check). If you add the resistor mod then I think the TOD computer is fooled into thinking everything is fine and the front wheel indicators light up normally even though no power is being routed to the wheels. The PO of my VX just put a toggle switch in under the passenger seat but I think I will wire it up to a 4WD switch that I have to make it a little more finished.

[tom4bren]

Thanks for the info guys, sounds like I can just install the TOD off switch and get what I want.

Not Zakly.

If you're going for maximum mpg, then you'll still need the locking hubs. Without them, you're still spinning the 3rd member in your front diff & hence the front prop shaft. That'll eat up a little bit of your mpg.

[bartmanS4]

Not Zakly.

If you're going for maximum mpg, then you'll still need the locking hubs. Without them, you're still spinning the 3rd member in your front diff & hence the front prop shaft. That'll eat up a little bit of your mpg.

I think the spinning of the 3rd happens anyway due to drag in the TC. There is probably a little more drag at the wheels though without disconnecting the hubs.

[tom4bren]

I think the spinning of the 3rd happens anyway due to drag in the TC. There is probably a little more drag at the wheels though without disconnecting the hubs.

When VX is in 'Toad Mode', I get 0 miles accumulation on the odometer. I'm interpreting that to mean that nothing is making it into the tranny from either the front prop or the rear (not even a negligable turning due to viscous coupling).

[bartmanS4]

When VX is in 'Toad Mode', I get 0 miles accumulation on the odometer. I'm interpreting that to mean that nothing is making it into the tranny from either the front prop or the rear (not even a negligable turning due to viscous coupling).

I was thinking that because the rear is being driven the front will be spinning too, even though it's not being sent power. I think someone confirmed this via a GoPro camera recently. In your toad mode both front and rear are disconnected so the TC shouldn't get any input from the output so to speak.

[CatFish]

I also run manual hubs/TOD off switch. Works well and I average 1-2 MPG better with TOD off and hubs unlocked. I did thorough testing last winter to check for MPG differences and it's always slightly improved with TOD off.

I have the resistor installed and I don't get a checklight, just some whacking illuminations on the front wheels. Typically, all three front wheel bars will light up and hold.

I ran just manual hubs for a while and I definitely recommend the TOD off switch. The t-case will still try to transfer power to the front wheels and you'll feel the loss of power if the hubs are unlocked. This was common for highway driving when accelerating... TOD would try to transfer extra power to the front wheels I would end up accelerating slower.

I like that the MPG improves a little, it is not real important but it would be nice to get a little better MPG. Where did you get the TOD off switch? How hard was it to install, how long did it take?

When VX is in 'Toad Mode', I get 0 miles accumulation on the odometer. I'm interpreting that to mean that nothing is making it into the tranny from either the front prop or the rear (not even a negligable turning due to viscous coupling).

So you have less miles on the odometer than you have driven? Strange that the odometer does not count miles when the TOD is off.

VXorado, does your VX do the same thing?

[VXorado]

Thanks for the info guys, sounds like I can just install the TOD off switch and get what I want.

Scott, when you have the TOD off do the lights for the front wheels in the TOD display still light up?

I also run manual hubs/TOD off switch. Works well and I average 1-2 MPG better with TOD off and hubs unlocked. I did thorough testing last winter to check for MPG differences and it's always slightly improved with TOD off.

I have the resistor installed and I don't get a checklight, just some whacking illuminations on the front wheels. Typically, all three front wheel bars will light up and hold.

I ran just manual hubs for a while and I definitely recommend the TOD off switch. The t-case will still try to transfer power to the front wheels and you'll feel the loss of power if the hubs are unlocked. This was common for highway driving when accelerating... TOD would try to transfer extra power to the front wheels I would end up accelerating slower.