I noticed on older 4WD models there use to be hubs protruding from the center of the wheel that were either auto or manual. I noticed the 4WD's of today do not have these hubs which cosmetically looks better to me. How did they do away with these hubs? Was it that technology just got better?
4WD Question
- Thread starter JP4RNR
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Old style hubs
I used to own a 89, I believe that is 2nd gen. It had manual hubs. You had to lock them in before you could engage 4WD. Once locked in, you could engage or disengage the 4WD system from inside the truck, however it was not advised that you drove for extended periods of time with the hubs locked in unless you were going to stay in 4WD.
Not sure when Toyota went to the totally auto system, at the end of 2nd gen or beginning with the 3rd gen.
Paul C
I used to own a 89, I believe that is 2nd gen. It had manual hubs. You had to lock them in before you could engage 4WD. Once locked in, you could engage or disengage the 4WD system from inside the truck, however it was not advised that you drove for extended periods of time with the hubs locked in unless you were going to stay in 4WD.
Not sure when Toyota went to the totally auto system, at the end of 2nd gen or beginning with the 3rd gen.
Paul C
Uneek
Super Moderator
The protruding hubs were manual locking hubs of yesteryear. Some 4Runners have the automatic locking hubs, but you would have to drive backwards to disengage them when they're locked and shifting back into 2H. It mainly saves you from getting out and flipping the switch on the front hubs. I hear the advantages of locking hubs is if you were to break an axle, you can just unlock it and drive off the trail.