To Hub Or Not To Hub?

I have a stock 1957 with dealer installed hubs.

The way I use it, around the village and on trails, I literally have never unlocked them, and would not miss having them.
If I drove on-highway a lot I might feel different, but I've had other jeeps without hubs and it was fine with me.

BTW - Your '55 wagon hubs look a lot like my original '57 hubs. The bolt lock-tabs on yours aren't functionally applied, I notice.

 

If you want more period correct hubs, look for Cutlass, Dualmatic or Selectro hubs. Only problem with those are, parts are scarce. The Warn premiums like everyone is talking about are still being made.

 

I guess you are right! They don't have the little allen head screws.

 

I love kelly hubs, i'm still on the hunt for a second set..

 

If you have a limited slip Powr Lok or other traction device in the front axle, you will need locking hubs up front.

 

On my 67 with v6 I dont notice a difference unless I know its in and out and im really paying attention to it. But on my 2a with the flathead, spring over and 35" tires there is a huge difference in handling, time to get up to speed and just added noises/vibes. I almost feel like I have to unlock it to drive on the road. Im sure that counts for something on the cj5. I think I read in an old popular mechanics warn ad they save something like 15% gas mileage. So If you spend most of your miles on the road in 2wd like my cj5 does then its kind of a no brainer.

 

PeteL, explain not applied right.

Glen, the ones on the wagon are staying on the wagon. They have been there a long time so it's not being changed by me unless they become dead.

 

Kelly Manufacturing Hubs Clovis, CA $80
I have a set on my 3b, been looking for a set for my cj5

 

the tabs on the "washers" are supposed to be bent around the bolt head to prevent it from loosening... i'll see if i can dig up my picture of what happens when they come loose.....its not pretty


AND all the botls snapped..

 

As Geoffrey says. One tab wing should be folded up tight against each bolt head, in a position that will stop it from moving counter-clockwise (loosening).

They do have a way of loosening up, and then the bolt-hole threads get ruined.

These lock-tabs have been expensive and hard to find in the past. Not sure if there is a modern source now.

 

Those look lot like cutlass hubs.

 

Apparently so. The hubs were listed on the original dealer sales invoice, and there was only one owner before me so I assume those were the Warns.

 

Oh that is true. She won't want to turn.

 

yup, they are very similar. I like them because the knob is easy to grab and textured. they're just impossible to find.

 

Walcks sells those locking washers.