chnkymnky

Howdy all. I just found this forum - nice!!

I just picked up an '86 4Runner that needs new hubs. It's an SR5 and has automatic hubs that are definitely on their way out.

I know that for off-roading, manual hubs are better. However, I'm not looking to turn my truck into an off-roading rig. Instead, I bought it (it's my second one...my first one has manual hubs...) to be able to go to the coast and up to the mountains in with my dogs (so it's having AC was really important to me) and also be able to haul stuff by pulling off the cap.

So...most of what I'll be doing is highway/road driving, with some going on sand at the coast and some going offroad (but not heavy duty) up in the mountains.

I'm wondering if it would be better to stick w/ automatic hubs for this usage than to bother swapping over to manual? Of course, then I have to find a set for sale, but that's a separate issue...

Also, it seems that there may be a bonus to swapping to manual hubs in terms of getting better fuel economy? But the forums seem somewhat inconclusive on this? For the most part, I'll be driving in 2wd, so would I see any gain in mileage?

Thanks in advance for your opinions!! I'm looking forward to being an active member of this community!!!

ThatGuy1295

You mean (A)utomatic (D)iferential (D)isconect.
Toyota never made any "auto hubs"

ThatGuy1295

If everything works fine in 4WD now I would just leave it.
Wait till something breaks to do the swap.
There aren't really an benefits to switching besides the obvious one, "reliability" of getting rid of electronics is always a plus. But MPG's, no. And the front diff you have now is just as strong as the manual diff.

waskillywabbit

iTrader: (-1)

Please don't be ThatGuy who doesn't know WTF he's talking about.

Auto hubs came on Toyotas up until 1989.
ADD is something totally different. I got a thread specifically about them both here:
https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f116...etails-242653/

Anyway, auto hubs are useless IMO for wheeling. I throw them away. Unless they are busted leave them alone. You won't get any noticeable mpg increase switching to manual hubs but you'll save cv wear and tear.

:wabbit2:

chnkymnky

Saving the wear and tear on the cvs is worth it...

WKW - I read your writeup (it was actually what lead me to this site, via google), but if I remember correctly, it didn't address if anything needed to be done other than getting a few parts from the dealer in addition to the Aisin hubs? Would I need to do anything to a vacuum fitting or any electrical work to do the conversion, in addition to putting the hubs on there?

Thanks!!!

ThatGuy1295

Oh didn't know that. Thanx
Thought it said 96 runner. My mistake.
And please don't be that guy who thinks he knows it all.

waskillywabbit

iTrader: (-1)

Nothing needed but the parts to replace the auto hub clutch, which is a wheel bearing nut kit per side, and the hubs themselves.

I don't know it all as I don't want to know anything about J***s.
On Toyota Aisin manual hubs, I know it all.

:wabbit2:

ThatGuy1295

Do the auto hubs even look like hubs?
Or are they hidden under the dust caps?

ThatGuy1295

chnkymnky

Got a pic of this yota?

waskillywabbit

iTrader: (-1)

Link in this thread to auto hub info
https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f116...etails-242653/

:wabbit2:

john4wd

Auto hubs are only good for scrap, throw them in the recycal bin and maybe they'll make something that's usefull after there melted :}LOL
Aisin factory manual are the only way to go, I had an 84 xtra-cab SR-5 and I switched from the Auto to factory Aisin and didn't and wont regret it, be sure and get the kit to switch from auto to manuals from trail gear before you remove the junk auto one's.

chnkymnky

No pictures yet, but I can take one later to post.

One other question - since the automatic hubs are shot and need to be replaced, would there be any issues (aside from not being able to go into 4x4 mode...) by pulling out the hub internals for now, putting the cap back on, and then eventually putting manual hubs in down the road?

ThatGuy1295

Thanks for the info. Ya those are completely worthless. Cant believe toyota ever did that.

waskillywabbit

iTrader: (-1)

No. You have to replace the parts when you remove the auto hubs. No way around it. The parts removed/replaced hold the wheel bearings in place.

:wabbit2:

socal_style

My rig came with auto hubs too. And they were worthless. I ended up getting some from waskillywabbit, and it made all the difference in the world. IMHO, it was money well spent.

With your auto hubs, when you go through sand it's going to be like being on a 2 wheel drive. Why limit your capabilities?

The ones I got from the wabbit were rebuilt and they looked like new. Plus they helped big time. Check out his website.