Free Wheeling Hubs

[JB-1956]

Does anyone know if there are Free Wheeling Hub conversion kits on the market that would suit my 1999 Explorer?

 

[blueka]

The UK Explorers hub are already free wheeling... or do you want to convert to 2wd?


Si

 

[JB-1956]

Hi Si,

The freewheeling hub conversion that I’m looking for would make the Explorer 2wd for every day road use but can be activated either manually by getting out and turning the end of the hub to engage the drive or automatic which when wired to the 4wd switch would engage at the same time the transfer gearbox shifted to 4wd.

The idea is to prevent the front drive train from turning causing drag and reducing fuel consumption. Many years since I fitted a set of these to my old Landrover which improved the fuel consumption from 17-mpg to 23-mpg.

John.

 

[blueka]

I think you're SOL in that case, I don't think there is such a thing... the 2nd Gen Explorer isn't like a 1st Gen, the hubs are like normal car hubs...


Si

 

[imp]

Hi Si,

The freewheeling hub conversion that I’m looking for would make the Explorer 2wd for every day road use but can be activated either manually by getting out and turning the end of the hub to engage the drive or automatic which when wired to the 4wd switch would engage at the same time the transfer gearbox shifted to 4wd.

The idea is to prevent the front drive train from turning causing drag and reducing fuel consumption. Many years since I fitted a set of these to my old Landrover which improved the fuel consumption from 17-mpg to 23-mpg.

John.

It can be done, but is an involved conversion. As consolation, your old Rover had several different design features which "ate" efficiency more than do the Explorer's. Among those are standard universal joints in front driving axles (probably) vs. lower-friction C-V joints, this being true also for one end of the Explorer front drive shaft; much heavier gear lubricants used in front diff. and transfer case: Rover likely 90W or 140W, vs. Explorer Orange Juice (not exactly, but the ATF-type fluids used today are quite thin). I would expect little more than 2 or 3 mpg gain, but I could be wrong. imp

Edit: Unless I'm mistaken, since my '96 (also a 2nd. gen, as is '99), had the vacuum-controlled connect/disconnect which was part of the front center-section, your '99 is likely also thus-equipped, the front driveshaft and 4WD "guts" in the transfer case were NOT driven by the front wheels when not in 4WD mode. So my post above is maybe half-right (or, half-witted, the readership may now decide).

 

[Tbars4]

..This might be of some help..
http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=284136

 

[albi1cnobi1]

I did Scott B.'s conversion to my 99. It's not overly complicated. You won't save much on mileage, I did it for 2 reasons mainly. First I'm just partial to the "old school" manual hubs, and 2nd I wanted to be able to crank my torsion bars a bit higher and not trash my CV joints.(they're not turning during everyday use, only when wheeling" P.S. imp- 97 was the last year for CAD.

 

[imp]

... P.S. imp- 97 was the last year for CAD.

Please forgive my ignorance: "CAD" (= vacuum axle disconnect?) ? imp

 

[albi1cnobi1]

"Sorry about that Chief". I have a thing for acronyms. CAD= center axle disconnect. But yeah we're talking about the same thing.