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Manual Hubs... Free or Locked in 2wd

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beefcake83

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I've always been taught that while the 4wd is not engaged, the manual hubs should be in the 'free' position. I've been trying to tell this to a few guys up here, but wanted to pose the question to you all to make sure. They say that they want to be able to just 'shift and go' without having to get out and switch the hubs to 'Lock'. Should the hubs be in the 'free' position when the shifter is in the 2wd position?

Gary Graham
'83 GMC Jimmy w/ '94 350 'Beefcake'
Eielson AFB, Alaska
Metallica & Mountain Dew
http://community.webshots.com/user/beefcake83
 
I've always been told not to for long periods of time. But everytime I go wheeling for the day or even the weekend, they stay locked even if I'm not in 4wd. Then when I do need 4wd I shift and go like your friends say.

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I think that you can drive in 2wd with hubs locked... just uses more gas, so i heard. Justlike with auto hubs shift into 4... use it take i out of 4 hubs are still locked till you reverse etc.

6in 87' K5 w/ 35" BFG muds.
305/Sm465/ NP208
Kn, 4.56's.
next...highflow cat, single inlet dual outlet flowmaster with 4" tips =D
 
Whenever I leave the pavement, I lock the hubs until I am ready to get back on the blacktop, then I get out and unlock them. As far as I know, there is no harm done in doing this. The loose dirt, gravel, mud etc. should have enough give to not create problems.

American by birth, Marine by the grace of God
 
i wouldnt drive around on the street with them locked theres no real need to have them locked its just more wear and it dose waste more gas. like the others i lock them when i go offroad its ok then to drive in 2wd with them locked but as far as on the street in a way it sorta defeats the purpose of them
 
Leaving the hubs locked leads to unforseen problems too ... like people (especially kids) who like to play around with all the knobs and buttons and accidentially shift into 4WD for you when you least suspect it.
 
My example..when there is snow, I will lock the manual hubs before I leave home for work (or where-ever) 40 mi. r/t and even on the freeway at, say 40mph, just ease off the gas if it gets bad and snap the shift into 4hi..also was told long ago even with manual hubs, you should unlock them and back up then pull forward a short distance to make sure they are unlocked before you park the rig for the day/night so they wont freeze in the locked position...just my .02

83K5 Silverado
What was that bump?
 
Thanks for the replies... the guys I'm telling this to are base cops. They say that if something happens, and if they need to chase someone, they want to be able to shift on the go. But these '91 Chevy trucks are being driven on pavement and packed snow and are driven mostly 24 hours around the clock. I still think it's bad for them and will lead to premature failure.

Gary Graham
'83 GMC Jimmy w/ '94 350 'Beefcake'
Eielson AFB, Alaska
Metallica & Mountain Dew
http://community.webshots.com/user/beefcake83
 
Okay that is different from what I thought is a day driver with your own truck..so this may be true for the wear. I would not drive mine on pavement with no ice or snow with it locked.

83K5 Silverado
What was that bump?
 
How can you just shift into 4 wheel drive goin 40, i dont think i can but maybe its cause i have an 79.

79 Jimmy, 5" lift 35 M/T with a 383 puttin out 400hp and 450lb/ft. Locked front and back.
 
Hey BeeeeeefCaaaake,
I keep my hubs locked all winter, that way I don't have to get out every time I need 4x4 when the snow gets bad. I have not had a problem yet. I've always heard that it will use more gas and cause faster wear on the front end. It is easier than having to get out of my blazer every time I have to switch over.

Todd Miller
Lake Tahoe, CA

IF IT'S SNOWING AND DEEP I'LL BE MAKING TRACKS!!!!!
 
I leave mine locked most of the time. The only time I unlock them is on a long trip because I have a front locker so it is hard to drive with the locker engaging and disengaging all the time.

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you dont have to be stopped for that
you just have to match the engine rpm with the gear ratio
ease on the throttle and shift case into N, double rpm (and it should be real close to matching), shift into 4 lo.
guess that would be trickyer with an auto

still dont know why it was stated not to run with hubs locked on pavement. if the case is in 2wdr there will be no bind with the rear.
 
I have an auto and i accidently hit my 4wd shifter and i could hear the gears grind.

79 Jimmy, 5" lift 35 M/T with a 383 puttin out 400hp and 450lb/ft. Locked front and back.
 
You should be able to keep the hubs in the lock position for the life of the truck and never really hurt anything. Yes, it does cause a little more drag because it's turning everything and will hurt gas mileage a little bit, and it will cause a little more wear than if they were unlocked but no more than the rear axle will see (since it's being driven all of the time) so maybe it will wear out the front axle components at 150,000 miles instead of 300,000 miles............ The fact that no power/torque is being sent through the front axle when the transfer case is in 2wd and the parts are only being spun by the front tires and not really putting any stress on anything makes the difference.

A lot of new trucks have completely gotten rid of any type of disconnect for the front axle except for inside the transfer case when shifted between 2wd and 4wd.
 
I was more thinking about my own case for hiway driving when the weather isn't bad that I would not have the hubs locked with no reason to have them locked. But I have left home before and ran into bad weather before getting to work, just hop out and lock um. Here in NW Wash state, the weather's not that bad most of the winter, but I remember from down South with the ice storms...

83K5 Silverado
What was that bump?
 
It doesn't hurt anything but your wallet to leave them locked.
If, however, you hardly ever use your 4 wheel drive you do need to drive it around locked every so often so you can keep your gears coated with oil. This will help keep them from surface rusitng and such and keeps the lube from getting stagnant.

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Viagra and steroids may be harmful to your spouse!
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Hey Beef, at least they remember to lock the hubs (not like my Senior Mechanic from Puerto Rico did, got stuck in the motor pool, ROTFLMAO). You must be young, 'cause you don't remember the "old stuff" that didn't have locking hubs. How about the NP203 full time four wheel drive?

Alot of boneheads wait 'til they're stuck axle deep to go out lock the hubs and engage 4x4. That's why they made the HMMWV soldier (idiot) proof.



Real trucks don't have spark plugs!
 
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