Warn o Matic

Warn Lock o Matic

I have Warn Lock o Matic hubs on my '71 cj. They seem to do fine for me, once that I got used to them. I don't beat my cj too bad so can never appreciate their full potential. Anyone have more experience and opinions on them? I try not to beat my cj too much, so I was wondering if this was one of those options that, in the long run, never was worth it.

 

I ran Warn Lock-O-Matics on a 64 CJ-6 I used to own. They will lock automatically when there is torque transfered to them through the axle shafts. To use them for compression braking or heavy pulling, you need to use the manual lock feature.

 

How did they work for you? I got used to how they work off pavement, and I'm O.K. with it. I know parts are hard to find for them and wonder if I should hold on to them or change. Thanks for the response.

 

Re: Warn Lock o Matic

Thanks for the input. Don't know why I thought they were called Warn o Matics? I posted after a late night at work and a few beers, sorry. Anyway, how is it finding replacement parts for these things? Any inherent problems?

 

I have the later version, the Warn Automatics, on my 80 CJ-5. They are basically the same as the old Lock-O-Matics but with improved manual locks that are spring loaded and easier to engage. The Lock-O-Matics and Automatics or obsolete now, having been discontinued several years ago. I've managed to get some parts from Herm The Over Drive Guy who is located in Brush Prairie, WA.

 

I bought a pair of these NOS last year. I disassembled them to clean up some gelled grease. I reassembled them with new grease and decided they were far too complex inside to use on my Jeep. It looked like a little time bomb inside (if one part failed, the whole thing would blow up). It has an overrunning clutch mechanism for the automatic function.
I like to keep components simple because it's tough enough to find replacement parts for these old Jeeps. I opted for a pair of Superwinch (Milemarker) hubs.
I only offer this opinion to contrast those who have used them for extended periods. I'm sure with proper care, use and maintenance, they are good hubs.

 

I ran them for many years and find them quite handy for patchy snow and light trail work. Hit a slick spot or drift on an otherwise clear road where you aren't using 4x, just pull the lever back into 4H and drive through. No need to get out and lock the hubs. Get through the bad spot and shift back into 2H. They have served me well and never let me down even on tough trails. Only thing I don't like is that they stick out farther than a regular hub and are therefore more in harms way.

 

My experience with Lock-O-Matics and Automatics is that they are reliable and pretty much maintenance free. I believe the instructions said not to over-grease the rollers. A light coating of grease is sufficient. I presently run 15x10 wheels so sticking out is not a problem. I believe they will not stick out with 15x8's also.

 

I bought a set, new, in 1966. They were installed on my new Jeep. They are still there. I haven't had a single problem with them in 180,000 miles.

I confess I don't do as much 4 wheeling as once I did.

 

mine dont seem to grab like their suposed to and greese and oil inevitably get on the pads which i think are worn excessively. So basically theyre working as a standard hub would. but i never have needed 4wd anyway on that jeep lol

 

My experience about the same as above. Put a pair on the 3B in 1972 and they are still there. I have never repaced any parts and they get serviced only when repacking wheel bearings. I do not like them for on-road in snow/ice-you need to lock them in or they will disengage the second you let off the throttle.

 

Thanks for all the info, both good and not so good. I think for the light off roading that I do, they'll be fine. It is nice to get other folks thoughts. I love this forum.

 

this is the way mine are getting. I thought about tearing them apart and cleaning them up to see if it makes a difference.

 

got them on my jeep, the only way i see they will give trouble is if you use them in a way they were not intended. If you know you are gonna need 4x4 get out and lock them ahead of time, IMHO they were intended to get you out of a pickle, IE got stuck unexpectedly somewhere where getting out to lock the hubs in would be a real pita, or need 4x4 just for a short distance.

 

I robbed a set off a Scout back in the 80's when I worked at a junk yard.
I cleaned them up and put them on my 72 V8 in place of the factory drive flanges.
They performed flawlessly.
Many times I would be running in 2WD and hit a little funk or try to ease through a ditch that was a little softer in the bottom than it looked, and I could yank that t-case lever before I lost momentum and those Lock-O-Matics would save the day.

Great hubs!!! (I'm looking for another set for my '74)