rowdy235

Went and looked at a 1998 tacoma today and it looks pretty good, so I'm thinking of nabbing it up.

It has the 4-banger with 180,000 miles, which is a lot, but I think it should last plenty longer. Test drove it and it shifted good, ran great, everything worked. 4x4 went in easily, drove in 4hi and 4lo, both worked great.

Questions:

The clutch is hard to press. Somebody mentioned freeplay? I think it may just be naturally hard to press. It engages and works smooth.

It has manual hubs, but I thought by 98 they were all ADD. Could somebody have added the hubs aftermarket, if so, can I run with them locked in 2wd between places I need it? They're qtr-turn aisin if it matters.

Thanks

toyota4x4907

It is a 3Rz. R motor family.
I don't know when they completely switched to ADD, but I don't think it was '98. They may have switched by then on 4runners, but Tacomas I'm sure were later.

Why wouldn't you be able to drive with the hubs engaged but not in 4wd? As long as you don't drive on dry pavement in 4wd you're okay

SoCalPaul

If the clutch has been replaced, it may have a Centerforce or other heavy duty clutch cover. A Centerforce clutch will give your leg a workout.

Paul

DeathCougar

iTrader: (23)

4runners stopped using manual hubs in 1990, Tacomas/Trucks in 2000.

They are indeed factory hubs (i know I already answered this in Chat, but this way everyone will know)

jdsdj98

I would suggest NOT driving with the hubs locked for extended periods of time in 2WD. I did this every winter with my first Tacoma and wound up toasting and having to replace the transfer case, after springing massive leaks in the front diff and t-case. Although I can't say that there was a direct correlation between the leaks/t-case failure and driving with the hubs locked, I can't help but think these issues were related.

It might be inconvenient to have to get out to lock/unlock the hubs, but if you drive with them locked you're putting unnecessary wear and tear on entire front drivetrain. You say "between places I need it," which may be OK if you're talking very short distances, but my experience certainly suggests that any extended periods of time or distance driving like this is bad, bad, bad.

That being said, I now have ADD and am afraid I'll wind up missing the manual hubs. I like mechanical processes, not electrical/vacuum for engaging 4WD. You'll enjoy the manual hubs if you go with that truck.

cackalak han

No, there were definitely manual hubs available during that year. I know that many many people really like the simplicity of the manual hubs, among other advantages, but for whimps, like myself, who hate to go out in the snow, mud, rain, cold, etc. to lock the hubs, ADD is great. But if I had manual hubs, I wouldn't complain.....too much.

Should be a solid truck for you. Check on that frame rust issue.

tyhuck

I just bought a 98 and I thought the same thing. Appearantly auto locking hubs were an option in 98 but not standard on the Tacos.

I lock mine in before I enter my hunting area and leave them locked while I poke around out there but I always unlock them before I hit the highway again. I did take it to the local mechanic to give it a look and they left one of my hubs locked. I drove 7 miles at 70mph before I decided to stop and double check the hubs. I DID unlock the hub but it didnt seem to hurt anything that I can tell. I do know that riding at high speeds for long times with the hubs locked, the CV axels are more likely to fail sooner, especially with any kind of lift on the front.

I may just be repeating what everyone else has told you, but Ive never actually been able to answer anyones question before.

DeathCougar

iTrader: (23)

Not auto locking hubs, ADD. Auto locking hubs and ADD are two completely different systems, although people often mistakenly call ADD "Auto Hubs"

Leaving the hubs locked in does not hurt your system in any way shape or form, aside from creating drag on the system (and wear obviously, but thats part of DRIVING a vehicle) If you have a spacer lift and no diff drop, do NOT drive very long with the hubs locked at highway speeds. The steeper than stock angle on the CV axles can cause damage.

tyhuck

OHHHH. So whats the difference in ADD and auto hubs? And I may be showing my ignorance but what does ADD stand for?

scuba

Add= Automatic disconecting differential..

tyhuck

how is that different from auto locking hubs?

rowdy235

Auto hubs were only used certain years and didn't work in reverse. They worked by engaging the axle when a vacuum was applied, and it was rolling forward. Obviously, because the lack of reverse 4wd, they sucked.

ADD came after? Auto hubs and work by (dis)connecting one of the shafts from the differential when a vacuum is supplied, as far as I know.

DeathCougar

iTrader: (23)

What?! This is completely wrong.

The Auto hubs were not controlled by vacuum at all. There is a spring and a brake in there that actuates the hub when drive pressure is applied. It works in forward AND reverse.

The design was ok in theory, but in practice the hubs were an abomination. the brake was made out of plastic, and if that din't break, the spring would break.