Locking hubs ok for a 228?

[HorribleHarry]

Since my transfer case decided to give up the ghost Thursday, I have been reviewing my options. I have a 228 in the truck now. Since finding a good 208 has proven VERY difficult, (you would think in socal there would be at least a few around!) and I am hearing horror stories about what happens when a 229 goes south, I am likely going to stay with the 228... (unless that magic 208 appears!) My question is will I be ok running locking hubs up front? (I know... no 4hi or 4lo until I go outside & turn them) I have read here that this is not preferred for the 229 as the viscous coupler is prone to damage when the hubs are open & one inadvertently switches the lever on the dash. Is this still the issue for the 228?
I am not thinking hubs for economy but rather reduced wear & tear on the front end... am I thinking clearly, or are the benefits negligible?

I appreciate all your input on this matter
Harry

[scotty]

the 228 does not have the same magic silicone-filled viscous coupling as the 229. only thing that will happen if you put it in 4wd without lockin em is that the power will all spin thru the front front drivesahft to the unlocked hubs and you wont move :eek:

go ahead and install the lockouts of your choice. :)

[Crazy_Jeepman]

LOL Yup Locking Hubs with a 228 would be as usefull as ***s on a Boar :lol:

[HorribleHarry]

Thank you,
So this gets me wondering, how much additional traction does the 228 give you in 4wd HI vs 2wd? is there really MUCH difference? I have had my jeep too short a time to notice, I guess I should wait until it rains huh?

Harry

[Crazy_Jeepman]

228 does OK for what it was designed to do. It was never intended to be an offroad T-Case, but rather a good high speed all road condition 4x4 option. If front and rear axles have equal traction the 228 will be like any other T-Case, as far as traction differance between 2WD vs 4 WD. However if you have one axle on Ice, and the other axle on a traction surface..........The wheel(s) on the ice will get all the power....... = Stuck :eek:

[Dome]

They will be fine. I ended up with a setup like this because I swapped in some WT Cherokee axles. It wasn't worth it to try and swap in the "auto locking" hubs so I just left the manual ones in there. Like scotty said, just make sure you lock your hubs BEFORE you put the tcase in 4wd. It will make a nasty noise if you dont :D

[mdill]

Thank you,
So this gets me wondering, how much additional traction does the 228 give you in 4wd HI vs 2wd? is there really MUCH difference? I have had my jeep too short a time to notice, I guess I should wait until it rains huh?

Harry

Rain (??) On ice (3 or 4 months of the year here) the 229 is a great case 2wd vs. 4wd is like night and day in my Cherokee. It would be almost worthless for winter driving without the 229. That being said the 229 is not the most HD case, though I have had no issues with it.

Mike D.