I have a 88 4Runner and have the front wheels on Lock for 4x4, that way I can easily go from 2wd to 4wd by simply changing gears. Is this a good idea or should I unlock the front wheels when in 2wd?

Also, why did Toyota do this, is there something special about locking the front wheels, my friends have blazers/jimmy's/jeeps and they dont have any sort of front wheel locks. All they do is change the gears from inside from 2wd to 4wd and vice versa.

Thanks!

 

yes, even though the automatic hubs are easier and more convienant the manual hubs i think are proven to be stronger and more reliable! alot of older trucks like pre 90's mainly have manual hubs cause the technology wasnt that popular then.I dont think it is the best plan to keep your tires always locked but im not positive.

 

there are less things to break in a system with manual hubs. what they do is couple the front axle shafts to the wheels. when they are unlocked, there is less drag on the front wheels, which in some cases can help put more power to the rear wheels and get you slightly better gas mileage(that is debatable)

it won't hurt a thing to leave them locked -- many people do that in the winter months. they they are locked, you can go from 2wd to 4wd and vice versa on the fly.

 

It will wear your front drivetrain a little faster but really wont hurt anything. The only thing I don't like about it is the vibrations, over 40 mine vibrates alot.

 

As long as you don't have a tall lift, and your cv boots are not stressed, you can leav'm locked. When your cv angles are more extreme, which is caused by 3+ inches of coil spacer lift, you should, for the most part, leave them unlocked until you need 4wd.
just my 2 pennies.

 

Cool, thanks alot guys!