88 4Runner with manual trans, 22RE, Lock Right in the front, Welded rear, 4" IFS lift, 33 BFG's.

I only recently picked up this truck and today I was going to change the trans and transfer case fluids. When I turned into my neighborhood I shifted into 4Hi, but left my hubs unlocked, figuring I would warm up the transfer case fluid to let it drain quicker.

Once I got into second gear I heard this loud "roaring" noise and felt a rumbling vibration in the cab. I stopped and put it back in 2Hi and it went away.

Today I was doing some light wheeling and had the hubs locked in. I came to a straight, flat section, so I put it in 2Hi and left the hubs locked. Around 20 mph I got the same roaring noise. I slowed down shifted into 4Hi and it went away.

I'm guessing this sound/rumble/vibration is the related to me having a front locker. Can someone explain what the hell I am doing wrong?

I'm not new to wheeling, but this is my first truck locked up front.

 

search spindle lubricator. Lockrite doesn't make an IFS front locker, at least up till last year I know for sure.

 

correction lockrite does make a front IFS locker now.

 

Dry spindles. A locker wouldnt make a roaring sound.
X2 with muddpigg

 

Wow, thanks for the quick info. I just got back from the hardware store with supplies to make the PVC version.

....so neither of the two scenarios I gave above should cause problems due to having a front locker, right?

 

Make sure the grease isn't cold, to thick to pump in.

nope not the locker.

 

Thanks again folks. I got the PVC contraption all set up and it worked great. You're right about the grease needing to be warm. My shop was cold and at first the grease wouldn't shove in there. I actually ended up pulling the shaft out the back a few inches and packing it in really good by hand as well.

Took it for a test run in 4Hi with the hubs unlocked.....no more death vibes!

 

Good news! Glad you got it figured out. When I first read this I was wondering what the issue was...... I do know that running a front locker makes things a little more delicate on the trail but never had any vibrations.

 

How do you like your front locker so far? I am thinking about locking the front on my IFS 4runner.

 

Not sure if you're asking me but I'll answer anyway. I freaking love it. Had it for about a year I think and have no complaints.

 

Had one in my rig when IFS and now after SAS, its the only way to roll.

 

Well today was the first day of hard wheeling with it. Now I've owned four Jeeps, including everything from a Wagoneer, YJ, XJ, and a WJ. All were lifted, but none had more than an LSD in the rear. All were open up front. I wheeled the hell out of those Jeeps.

The difference I found with a front locker is UNBELIEVABLE. This 4Runner amazed the hell out of me. In my view, it is much easier on the drivetrain when you're not giving it hell all the time like you often have to do with open diffs. It just idled through and over everything I pointed it at. It takes a while to get used to the steering with a locked front, though.

 

Indeed. Locked front is the way to go.

 

Caution you might be developing the addiction. This is how it starts. Every mod can lead to the next

 

A quick pic of how my day went:

 

˟˟˟˟ that's a big freaking rig!!!