add-on lockout front hubs

[waynestiles]

Just out of curiosity--a probably dumb question--is it possible to replace the front hubs on my 87 GW with a set of manual lockout hubs? if so where would I find a set.

I run it in 2WD 90+ % of the time and think maybe f I could lock-out it might save wear and tear and maybe save a little gas.

Wayne Stiles

[TPICherokee]

Yes, they are easy to swap out but if you put the rig in 4wd and forget to lock the hubs, your xfer case will implode, aside from that, easy bolt on operation:

http://www.bjsoffroad.com/cartgenie/prodInfo.asp?pid=703&cid=30

[jaber]

http://www.autozone.com/N,11200273//shopping/partTypeResultSet.htm

Autozone has MileMarkers for it....

[waynestiles]

further dumbness: why would forgetting to lock/unlock them cause damage to a TC.

If I do this I'll put a warning sticker on the dash panel---a WARN-ing so to speak.

[Chevelleguy]

Because your transfer case has a viscous coupling so that you can drive it on the street in 4HI. If you unlock the hubs and put the transfer case in 4HI, all the power will be applied to the front and it would cause massive slippage and toast the viscous coupling (which are around $400 to replace if you can find one).

You may save on some ware, but I don't think you are going to see a mileage improvement, maybe 1mpg. The hubs cost about $100 bucks so it would take a while to earn that back in fuel savings.

[aerocorey]

Your 229 uses a viscous coupler, not a chain or gears. That's why it's considered "full time" when it's in 4H. If you put it in 4 with the front hubs unlocked there's no resistance on the front driveshaft like there should be. The VC will burn up.

[jaber]

So, I've got the link saved to "lock" the viscous together, would it be wise to do hubs on the front with this done?