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Locking vs full time 4wd

Discussion in 'Early CJ5 and CJ6 Tech' started by joelsprayberry, Sep 17, 2015.

  1. Sep 17, 2015
    joelsprayberry

    joelsprayberry New Member

    lafayette la
    Joined:
    May 13, 2015
    Messages:
    30
    I have a 64 cj5 that I am restoring. It will be a Sunday driver and rock crawler. Very minimal mileage. I read recently that the locking hubs on it were actually aftermarket. 64s originally were full time 4wd.
    Have you heard this before? There are parts in both hubs that need to be replaced so I was considering just going back to the original full time hub. Any suggestions on how to do this?
     
  2. Sep 17, 2015
    lynn

    lynn Time machine / Early CJ5 HR Rep Staff Member

    Huntingdon PA
    Joined:
    Sep 20, 2002
    Messages:
    3,437
    Well... the stock configuration in '64 did not have lock out hubs, it had drive flanges.
    This doesn't mean it had "full-time 4WD" as we know it today... it means that when in 2 wheel drive, the front wheels were not pulling, but they were still directly connected to the axle, turning the axle, and the differential gears, and the front drive shaft. All this caused parasitic drag on the driveline. Lock out hubs were used to disconnect the wheels from the driveline to reduce wear and drag, somewhat increasing fuel economy and ease of steering. Eventually, CJs came from the factory with these lockout hubs.

    You can find drive flanges if you want to go back to them. Post a Want To Buy (WTB) ad in our classifieds. Or get a good set of quality lockout hubs for your rig, new or good used.
     
  3. Sep 17, 2015
    Glenn

    Glenn Kinda grumpy old man Staff Member

    Apopka, Fl
    Joined:
    Sep 21, 2002
    Messages:
    12,367
    X2 on what Lynn said. I'm curious about your intended use description of "Sunday driver and rock crawler. That is generally 2 opposite ends of the spectrum as far as use.
     
  4. Sep 17, 2015
    oddfirejeeper

    oddfirejeeper Active Member

    Hamilton, MI
    Joined:
    May 5, 2004
    Messages:
    1,253
    maybe there are some rocks between his house and church? :)
     
  5. Sep 17, 2015
    PeteL

    PeteL If it wasn't for physics, and law enforcement... 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Hills of NH
    Joined:
    Aug 3, 2003
    Messages:
    9,754
    A Sunday rock-crawler?

    Bear in mind, locking hubs came in several flavors. e.g. manual v. automatic.

    Between a genuine fully locking hub, or solid flanges, there would be no difference off road.
     
    Last edited: Sep 17, 2015
  6. Sep 19, 2015
    joelsprayberry

    joelsprayberry New Member

    lafayette la
    Joined:
    May 13, 2015
    Messages:
    30
    thanks everyone for some great info. forums like this really do help those of us that are in need of wise counsel. i've disassembled/cleaned the locking hubs. there a a few missing parts, and broken parts. and apparently 2 different styles. both WARN m2/m8b. finding individual parts for these hubs is a little difficult. buying a new set may be the way to go. i may get the flanges for now since that looks like a less expensive route and less leak related issues. thanks for your help.
     
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