is there a specific reason for getting manual locking hubs? how much does it cost and how easy is it?

 

I'm also wondering that too...

 

ADD hubs tend to unlock when you least expect it... which can be dangerous on the trail. Manual locking hubs won't do that.

 

Hey Chris...i think you mean automatic hubs tend to unlock when you least expect it. with ADD your axles are turning all the time. with manuals...you can set them to free or lock. when they are free the front axles arent turning freeing up powering and causing less wear and tear on your cv joints and boots. check out our tech section and you will find a couple write ups. its not hard at all..it took me about an hour or so. i got a great deal and got my aisins for 25 shipped most of the time its like 50 or so. if you are looking for a pair..get ahold of toyota parts dude, hes a member here and will hook you up with a pair.

A write up by yours truly
Warn hub write up

 

For a 2nd Gen, it will cost you between $50 to $100 dollars.
For a 3rd Gen, it will cost you at least one grand.

Here is why you need to have a manual locking hubs.

1. Less wear and tear on your CV joints and boots.
2. Less drag when making cornering, and or running on the freeway.
3. Increase a tad on gas mileage
4. You look cool and different than other 4runner without manual locking hubs.


Piece of cake to install in on 2nd gen, especially if you have the OEM Aisin manual locking hubs.

I don't know about the installation on 3rd gen, but by looking at it on the catalog, it looks like a lot of work.

That's all I can think off.

Noel

 

Well I thought unless you completely disabled the ADD system, that the axles would still turn whether or not you had manual hubs. I also thought that ADD (Automatic Differential Disconnect?) and automatic hubs were the same thing.

But yeah, the reasons you listed are also advantages of getting manual hubs. But you have to completely disable the ADD system to fully take advantage of those reasons. I think doing that is a bit more complicated than just swapping the hubs.

 

KevyWevy,

Don't forget to hit that "search" button and type in "manual locking hubs". Spend some time and enjoy reading.

Noel

 

with the autos..i believe you put it in 4wd and have to move forward to lock them..and in reverse to unlock them?? but with add all you have to do is switch to 4wd and there are good to go. im not sure about the having to disable the whole ADD system..but im pretty sure that when my hubs are set to free that my axles arent turning...

 

Anywhere from 4-6 hours for the 3rd gen hub conversion. 10+ if there is more than one vehicle on the racks being worked on! Oh yeah, you also need a hydraulic press and a special torque nut for the hub (200 ft lbs+ to tighten the biatch). The torque nut is also available from ORS. You have to ask them for it. They don't reference this tool or the MAC part number for it in their instructions.

-bd

 

Manual hubs are a simpler system. Less to go wrong.

Saves a little wear and tear on the driveline.

Saves a little gas.

They are also "old school" and cool!

 

There is a big diff between ADD & Auto hubs.
I have a link, but don't have time to hunt for it, but believe me, the link has been posted here about 50 times.
It's on ORN's website.

1. Auto hubs are to be avoided like the plague.
They unlock on you when you back up, and you must come to a complete stop to lock them in.

2. ADD hubs are locked all the time, hence your stuff is always turning.
Contrary to what some think, when you add manual hubs to a system that had ADD, you do not need to disconnect all the plumbing hoses up there.
When you unlock the hubs, your stuff is not turning at all up there.
You also have shift on the fly, and can shift into 4WD upto 50 MPH with the manual hubs as long as you have them locked in first via the dial.

And as was mentioned, there are so many posts archived here on the benefits of switching to manual hubs.
We also have "how to" articles on this in the Tech section.

Found some links:
http://www.off-road.com/toyota/tech/add/index.htm

http://www.off-road.com/toyota/tech/aisin/

And the very bad auto hubs, read up how they unlock on you.
http://www.4x4wire.com/toyota/tech/autohub/