Why is the advantages of manual hubs?

[Ekimrm]

What are the advantages of manual hubs?

I just bought a 1990 Toyota 4Runner and am in the process of restoring it or fixing it, however you want to look at it. I am building my shopping list and have read a little bit about the manual hubs, but am confused as the advantages of manuals hubs. Can anyone help explain this to me? Is it worth buying the manual hubs? I don't have a problem spending the money as long as the cost is worth the reward.

 

[CAN-03runner]

Others might come up with other info.

With the front hubs unlocked it improves fuel economy.
You can also weld or spool the front diff and still drive it on the street in unlocked mode as if it was still an open diff.
There is less wear and tear in front end components.
Small red knob looks cool
You look even cooler when you need to get down when you start a trail and have to tell everyone hold on, I need to lock my hubs.
But you look like a dweeb driving and old jalopy when you forget
But you become the hero again when you forget to lock your hubs, shift to 4x4, make it over an obstacle and then realize you never locked your hubs, well now you can say you made it through and you weren't even in 4x4.

 

[ToyoTech]

it gives you another option to take it out of 4x4 if for what ever reason you couldnt get it out of 4x4 from the transfer case. i know i knocked my linkage off for my t-case once on a trail and knew that i can just unlock the wheels. lucky i was able to climb under and manual shift it to 4x2

 

[BucknutBob]

Hey CAN-03, been there, done that on the forgetting to lock hubs! Made it out an entire trail, dry but very bumpy, and realized I'd been in 2WD the whole time--d'oh!

 

[KidVermicious]

The manual hubs are stronger and more reliable than the automatic hubs or ADD systems. They reduce CV and driveline wear, because your CV axles aren't always spinning. Some folks claim better mileage because they aren't turning the CVs, but if that effect is real it can't be much.

On the downside, you have to get out and manually lock and unlock them, which can kinda suck in nasty weather. And they're one more item to be added to your spring maintenance list.

 

[fourwd1]

Reduced drag and wear on the front end, and less drag means better mpg.

 

[CAN-03runner]

Hey CAN-03, been there, done that on the forgetting to lock hubs! Made it out an entire trail, dry but very bumpy, and realized I'd been in 2WD the whole time--d'oh!

Nice!

 

[Footofgod]

So I broke a CV axle today. If I hadn't installed manual hubs two weeks ago, I would still be on the trail removing the axle so I could get home. Instead I set the manual hubs to free and drove home with no issue in 2wd.