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73-87 Chevy _ GMC Trucks => 4 Wheel Drives => Topic started by: Fulltimechevy89 on October 20, 2016, 01:21:47 PM

Title: Locking Hubs
Post by: Fulltimechevy89 on October 20, 2016, 01:21:47 PM

Okay I got the Mike marker locking manual hubs with the part time kit. Since my truck is daily driver, can I go ahead and install the locking hubs in the font wheels without the part time kit?
I have a np203 transfer case. No part time kit in it.

Thanks

Title: Re: Locking Hubs
Post by: Captain Swampy on October 20, 2016, 07:25:41 PM

Yes, you'll have to put the transfer case in high lock to drive it. I run mine that way. It's best to install the part-time though.

Title: Re: Locking Hubs
Post by: DustyRusty on October 21, 2016, 06:44:38 PM

If no part-time kit is installed, the hubs need to be kept locked in for proper operation.

Title: Re: Locking Hubs
Post by: Irish_Alley on October 21, 2016, 07:29:49 PM

if no kit is installed its pointless to remove the auto hubs and put manuals in unless you unlock them and put it in hi loc like swampy said.

Title: Re: Locking Hubs
Post by: Fulltimechevy89 on October 22, 2016, 02:55:15 PM

Thanks for the info guys!
I'm putting on the manual hubs where previously there was not any hubs at all.
So I drive it with the hubs un locked and in Hi-Loc correct?

Title: Re: Locking Hubs
Post by: blazer74 on October 22, 2016, 03:20:09 PM

Quote from: Fulltimechevy89 on October 22, 2016, 02:55:15 PM

Thanks for the info guys!
I'm putting on the manual hubs where previously there was not any hubs at all.
So I drive it with the hubs un locked and in Hi-Loc correct?

Yes.

Title: Re: Locking Hubs
Post by: Fulltimechevy89 on October 22, 2016, 06:11:08 PM

Okay I have another question.
I installed manual hubs and set it to free
The t case is in neutral and the wheels move freely and the front shift does not move at all.
Do I need to install the part time kit still?
Is it okay to drive it with the hubs free and in neutral without the part time kit?
Thanks

Title: Re: Locking Hubs
Post by: Fulltimechevy89 on October 22, 2016, 08:53:26 PM

How can you check, without taking the t case apart if you have a part time kit already installed?

Title: Re: Locking Hubs
Post by: werewolfx13 on October 22, 2016, 11:06:06 PM

Hubs unlocked (in the free position), the truck will NOT move when put into gear, in ANY positions other than hi-loc or Lo-loc if it has NOT had the part time kit installed.

Title: Re: Locking Hubs
Post by: Fulltimechevy89 on October 23, 2016, 03:31:39 PM

Thanks...I'll give in a try

Title: Re: Locking Hubs
Post by: Fulltimechevy89 on October 25, 2016, 01:14:44 PM

Okay, so tried running it Hi reg with the bus free and nothing happens, so no part time kit.

Also I'm daily driving my truck, with the hubs free and in Hi Loc, granted 30 miles per day, is this okay?
I heard it wears out the hubs a lot faster, but I'm only doing it for a week.
Any thoughts?

Title: Re: Locking Hubs
Post by: Irish_Alley on October 25, 2016, 05:59:19 PM

no, you wont have a issue with the hubs wearing out. people have done what youre talking about for a long time. it saves a little on Wear and tear of the front dif since the axle wont be working while youre turning and a little on gas but not much since youre still turning the front dif

Title: Re: Locking Hubs
Post by: Fulltimechevy89 on October 25, 2016, 08:58:22 PM

Great, does it matter what brand I have? Are all the hubs brands the same?

Title: Re: Locking Hubs
Post by: Jason S on October 25, 2016, 10:57:01 PM

I can't answer if they're all the same, only have Warn and Spicer hubs on my rigs.  My $0.02 is make sure the hubs and all corresponding parts are properly lubricated.   

If you consider that the front drive axle is still transmitting power to the end of one (or both) of the end of the front axle shafts, there will be a spinning shaft unlocked at the hub. Sometimes this will run at the same rpm as the wheel, but other times it will not.  Ensuing that the hub is properly lubricated will help tremendously.