Lockers???

[davehaynes1]

Afternoon guys!!
So when I bought my 4runner the guy made a point of telling me that whenever I am in 4wd I should always turn the little dials on my front hubs to 'LOCK' position.
Is that right or can I drive in 4wd with the hubs in 'FREE'
???
Thanks

 

[Infamous82]

Yes you can drive it in 4wd without the hubs locked, you just won't have actual 4wd since the fronts aren't locked and only the rears will drive

 

[89FourRunner]

It works like this..

When the hubs are set to "free" the front wheels can spin independently of the front axle, and when they are "locked" thry are connected to the axles. So if you have the hubs set to "free" and put the transfer case in 4wd, then the axle goes to work spinning up front (because its in 4wd) but its not connected to the wheels because the hubs are set to "free". For 4wd to work - the wheels need to be connected to the axle, by setting the hubs to "lock".

New trucks and suvs dont have unlockable hubs, they are permedently "locked" to simplify the system.

The benefit to your hubs that you can set to "free" is that you save on fuel mileage (technically) and the front axle does not turn as you drive, saving you on wear and tear in the long run. Free wheeling hubs are a good thing.

On the day or even week you expect snow or plan to go offroad, just set the hubs to lock - this way anytime you put the transfer case in 4wd it works. You can also be in 2wd with them locked. Locking them just connects them to the front driveline - it doesnt put the truck in 4wd.

Hope that makes sense.

 

[Hyde802]

Not to be confused with differential lockers.

The hubs are locking the wheel to the cv shaft. My favorite thing about the lockable hubs is by leaving them "free" and putting the truck in 4wd, you can get " 2 low"

 

[USSS1865]

Thanks for the advice. Looking forward to winter in KY with my 4Runner. We'll see how it handles the snow.

 

[peytokristen]

....

 

[theking11863]

Interested thread. Makes me kind of want to go through the trouble of converting mine to save my cv's. Thanks [MENTION=95090]89FourRunner[/MENTION] for your explanation

 

[89FourRunner]

Interested thread. Makes me kind of want to go through the trouble of converting mine to save my cv's. Thanks [MENTION=95090]89FourRunner[/MENTION] for your explanation

No problem. With your 1990 it is extremely easy to add them - as there is no conversion hardware required - you would simply unbolt a lock plate and bolt on the hubs. You don't even need to remove your tires or lift the truck off the ground.

 

[airdreams1]

Just sold a set of aisin hubs for $90 shipped last night.....
if you get a used set, be sure that they have all the hardware. there will be 6 cone washers, 6 lock washers, 6 nuts & 1 inner bolt/washer per side.
other brands dont use the cone washers but still need the inner bolt/washer.