Remote locking hubs

F

Friedom

New member
Why is no one doing it?

I've seen them asked about in a few posts, but never answered except "just get out and lock them when you need them".

Sure would be nice to have a switch, lever, etc. To lock your hubs from inside. Is it that hard to do? Hydraulic? Vaccum? Solenoid?

Thoughts on a 106° afternoon.
 
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"someone" already does. these trucks were equipped with either manual, automatic, or a.d.d. hubs from toyota, depending upon the year and options.
 
Friedom said:
Why is no one doing it?

I've seen them asked about in a few posts, but never answered except "just get out and lock them when you need them".

Sure would be nice to have a switch, lever, etc. To lock your hubs from inside. Is it that hard to do? Hydraulic? Vaccum? Solenoid?

Thoughts on a 106° afternoon.
Click to expand...
Sounds like more to go wrong with a already temperamental part of the truck. I have never had the manual hubs fail but those stupid aftermarket hubs fail all the time!
 
wallytoo said:
"someone" already does. these trucks were equipped with either manual, automatic, or a.d.d. hubs from toyota, depending upon the year and options.
Click to expand...
Thanks. Are the autos any good? I remember the DD. No thanks. I'd prefer be able to choose which wheel and axle has power though, just like which gear I'm in.
Don't get me wrong, I have been wheeling a late trail edition - automatic everything, but it's point and shoot. Not quite as interactive as it was once upon a time.


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are you old enough to remember the Lock-o-Matic hubs?
while they weren't a remote style, they did offer engagement without getting out of the vehicle, while still having a manual locking option.

ford Superdutys use something very similar, but theirs use vacuum to engage the AUTO option.
 
Friedom said:
Thanks. Are the autos any good? I remember the DD. No thanks. I'd prefer be able to choose which wheel and axle has power though, just like which gear I'm in.
Don't get me wrong, I have been wheeling a late trail edition - automatic everything, but it's point and shoot. Not quite as interactive as it was once upon a time.


Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk
Click to expand...

the auto hubs are ok, but have some weak points. when in 4wd, and reversing direction, they are momentarily unlocked, and then lock up, which creates some snap/load on the hubs and axle shafts that does not occur when using manual hubs. there is some lag/snap when first engaging 4wd, too, that does not happen with manuals, either. i have two sets of auto hubs in my parts bin; i switched to manual aisins.
 
I bought my 86 4Runner new. At 12K the 'Auto' Hubs failed. Replaced with Manual hubs and went the next 120-130K with out any problems.

I really wish the newer trucks had an option to get out and twist a dial
 
My 89 came with automatic hubs. They worked, but they requires backing up several feet to unlock after switch the transfer case back into 2wd.

Thet biggestt downfall: you have to stop to put the truck in 4 hi. With manual hubs engaged, you can jump in and out of 4wd at cruising speed.

You lock thr hubs in anticipation of weather or terrain.
 
wallytoo said:
the auto hubs are ok, but have some weak points. when in 4wd, and reversing direction, they are momentarily unlocked, and then lock up, which creates some snap/load on the hubs and axle shafts that does not occur when using manual hubs. there is some lag/snap when first engaging 4wd, too, that does not happen with manuals, either. i have two sets of auto hubs in my parts bin; i switched to manual aisins.
Click to expand...
Probably a different type of auto hub, but My 5th gen was clicking one day on the trails. 3 point turn in thick sand, fwd, rev, fwd, rev, you know the drill. Thought maybe an aftermarket axle was going bad. Have not been able to reproduce the clicking since. Wondering if that was a hub not engaging properly. I personally would rather have a good manual hub for the reliability. The Aisins on my 1st Gen I bought recently were definitely a selling point for me.
 
Friedom said:
Why is no one doing it?

I've seen them asked about in a few posts, but never answered except "just get out and lock them when you need them".

Sure would be nice to have a switch, lever, etc. To lock your hubs from inside. Is it that hard to do? Hydraulic? Vaccum? Solenoid?

Thoughts on a 106° afternoon.
Click to expand...

Trail Gear is working on some Blue Tooth hubs.
 
4RunnerAquasport said:
Probably a different type of auto hub, but My 5th gen was clicking one day on the trails. 3 point turn in thick sand, fwd, rev, fwd, rev, you know the drill. Thought maybe an aftermarket axle was going bad. Have not been able to reproduce the clicking since. Wondering if that was a hub not engaging properly. I personally would rather have a good manual hub for the reliability. The Aisins on my 1st Gen I bought recently were definitely a selling point for me.
Click to expand...

There are no switchable "hubs" on a 5th gen. The CV axles are hard-splined to the wheels and cannot be disconnected. What you have is ADD (Automatic Differential Disconnect) which is an electrically actuated sliding collar inside an extension to the front diff which connects or disconnects the passenger side CV from the diff. When the ADD is disconnected, the internal spider gears of the diff spin freely with the driver's side CV, and the ring, pinion, and front drive shaft remain stationary.

The ADD runs in an enclosed, lubricated environment inside the diff case so the mechanics are not failure prone at all. It could be a sticky acuator, but I'm pretty sure the 4WD indicator light won't stay solid "on" unless the collar is fully engaged. Your clicking is much more likely a CV shaft.
 
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