manual hubs?

[yeti]

Im thinking about changing to manual hubs and im wondering what the benefits would be? on my 2000 sport in 2 wheel drive mode where does everything stop moving so that the front wheels are not given power?with this mod would this change? also my 4 whl dr is never really off it says auto would this be a problem, besides the fact it would not be auto.

 

[Kris Guilbeaux]

you cant install manual Hubs. only 91-94 can change to manual hubs.

 

[leenjen]

if i switch to manual hubs, will i be able to use 4X4 low?
or would it just be 4X2 and 4X4 high?

 

[crossman]

With the manual hubs, you can use both high and low 4x4. All you do is stop the car and lock the two front hubs and then your front axle is locked with the hubs. Just put it in 4x4 and you are ready to go. If you do go with manual hubs, make sure that you unlock them before you plan on going any major distances, or you are going to go through a lot of gas because the front axle will be turning. It is also best to lock the hubs before you go off road, so you don't get into a bad situation only to find out that your hubs aren't locked and you need 4x4.

 

[jimbo74]

Originally posted by Kris Guilbeaux
you cant install manual Hubs. only 91-94 can change to manual hubs.

i know notice what kris said... he is right... you CAN NOT INSTALL MANUAL HUBS>>>ONLY 91-94 CAN>>>

 

[gijoecam]

Correct... 95 and newer Explorers don't have locking "hubs" like the pre-95s. The pre 95s utilize a part time transfer case that disengages, and to save gas, you unlock the hubs so the front half of the drivetrain isn't being driven. (i.e. both axle shafts and the front driveshaft don't turn)

On the 95 and newer, the front half of the drivetrain turns all the time. The drivetrain losses on the newer ones are not all that great, but by having them turning all the time, the 'auto' mode can engage the transfer case instantaneously because there is no need to synchronize the front and rear driveshaft speeds. Also, it uses a much different engagement mechanism for the transfer case, but that's a whole other discussion.

-Joe-