Question about my diff (94 Explorer)

[blksprk]

I want to start by saying thank you to everyone who helped me in my previous thread a long time ago about my 4wd being out on my 94 Explorer. back to the grit... I replaced my autolocking hubs with Warn manual hubs using the conversion kit, It works very well in the small test I have done on a icy dirt road by my house, cant wait for the heavy snow. But my question is this: I understand my 94 Explorer has a Dana 35 diff, am I correct in thinking its an open diff? and will leaving my hubs locked damage the diff during everyday driving on dry roads? also is there any obvious difference in gas mileage with the hubs left in lock? You see, I live in michigan and the weather and roads go to crap without warning and it would be quite a hassle to have to get out and lock/unlock the hubs all the time.

Thanks in advance for any help

 

[DeRocha]

I want to start by saying thank you to everyone who helped me in my previous thread a long time ago about my 4wd being out on my 94 Explorer. back to the grit... I replaced my autolocking hubs with Warn manual hubs using the conversion kit, It works very well in the small test I have done on a icy dirt road by my house, cant wait for the heavy snow. But my question is this: I understand my 94 Explorer has a Dana 35 diff, am I correct in thinking its an open diff? and will leaving my hubs locked damage the diff during everyday driving on dry roads? also is there any obvious difference in gas mileage with the hubs left in lock? You see, I live in michigan and the weather and roads go to crap without warning and it would be quite a hassle to have to get out and lock/unlock the hubs all the time.

Thanks in advance for any help

You can leave your hubs locked and drive on dry pavement just fine. The front end should feel about the same, just slightly heavier. With the hubs locked the front axles, Ring gear, and drive shaft will be moving. This additional drag will cost around 1 mpg in fuel economy.