Convince me to stay with Full time 4x4

[Lka1988]

The great and epic debate is going on in my head right now.

I'm at a crossroads, guys. As you know, I'm running with a hollow front axle and need new junk to go in it.

I've thought much about this, and to be honest, I'm getting pretty comfortable driving a 2WD 80 in the winter. The roads get salted anyway, so the snow/ice melts pretty quickly. Slee sells the AVM part-time kit to convert the HF2A t-case to a part-time case, and includes freewheeling hubs.

I've tallied up the costs, and it's pretty damn close. Check it out...

Part-time and Longs w/chromo inners: ~$1400 + shipping
Full-time with OEM junk: ~$1800 + shipping, but assuming I get the parts from CDan, I still estimate the cost to be roughly the same as (or more than) the PT/Longs setup.

Part-time pros

• Less wear and tear on the front end
• Ability to use Longs
• No front driveline vibes
• Supposedly better MPG (yeah sure whatever)
• More power to the rear wheels = easier to cruise on the freeway
• Lighter steering
• DONUTS!!!!!

Part-time cons

• No more AWD-like handling
• Less traction in slick situations
• Lighter steering

Full-time pros

• Handles exceptionally well on snow (big plus in my book, but see above about getting comfy...)
• OEM quality - lasts forever

Full-time cons

• More wear and tear on the front end
• 91-92 specific- Gnarly clunk

So, in my mind, the playing field is pretty even...

Convince me one way or the other.


REFERENCE THREADS:
https://forum.ih8mud.com/80-series-tech/340550-rth-blown-birf-still-drivable.html
https://forum.ih8mud.com/80-series-tech/348543-chromoly-inners-need-advice.html

 

[d0ubledown]

if you have & enjoy ABS, stay with FT. otherwise, go P/T. me personally, i like ABS 1% more than id like a P/T kit...its that close.

 

[Lka1988]

Don't have it, don't need it, don't want it. Since you like ABS, I won't share my feelings (or lack thereof) on it...

 

[spdwaver]

You should make this a poll, Lane.

My vote is full-time, regardless of power gain. You live in Utah, where I presume you will have snow and would greatly benefit from AWD.

 

[Cruiserdrew]

No brainer.

Part time kit with Longfield bits. Best of both worlds.

 

[Lka1988]

You should make this a poll, Lane.

My vote is full-time, regardless of power gain. You live in Utah, where I presume you will have snow and would greatly benefit from AWD.

Snow? It's snowed a whopping 3 times since October. I've been wearing short sleeves all week.

Good thinking with the poll, though.

 

[Lka1988]

No brainer.

Part time kit with Longfield bits. Best of both worlds.

See, this is why I ask. Many opinions on the board.

And PT/Longs is kinda what I'm leaning towards. But I kinda miss my full-time, too. I have to make a decision soon.

 

[mot]

All it takes is one loss of control/accident, Lane...

I have PT, but would have liked AWD/full-time 4wd (and ABS).

My ￥2.

 

[-Spike-]

I don't see you getting any more 'power' out of part-time. Same power, minus the slight drag of the front gear set. I don't see 'easier to cruise on the freeway' for the same reason. Here's the thing though- it's your truck, you have driven it 2wd and 4wd. What difference does it make what I (or anyone else) thinks?

 

[Lka1988]

All it takes is one loss of control/accident, Lane...

If I use Aisin hubs, no one would know the wiser.

My ￥2.

So, what, like $0.0000002?

 

[Boone]

Why do you miss your full time?

Is that reason important enough to make you not get the P/T? If not then go with P/T. I've always thought that it'd be cool just never had the need or want to do it myself.

 

[mot]

So, what, like $0.0000002?

It's about ￥1=$1

I've heard that going 2wd makes the 80 more peppy. I enjoy the way it handles, but having never driven the ftfwd version I'm not a good judge.

 

[RockDoc]

I can't say if it's the same drag as you get with AWD, but with part-time you can really tell the difference between 2WD and 4WD in terms of power making it to the road. As for poor handling in snow, you can always put it in 4WD like us cavemen do

 

[spdwaver]

I've heard that going 2wd makes the 80 more peppy.

And, as we all know, a 3F-E needs all the help it can get.

 

[d0ubledown]

just lock the hubs whenever you think conditions would warrant it, n leave em locked. then you got 4X at the push of a button. as for ABS, i dont love it, im just glad its there. in snow, i can have it on or off at the push of a button.

youve driven it as 2wd & FT... which gives you better seat of the pants driving experience? go with that...

 

[Dave 2000]

I might be wrong (it happened once before) but the propshafts are designed with the torque being split front and rear, with 100% torque to the rear wheels shorten propshaft life?

With the part time cuisers (factory)I was told they had stronger rear propshafts, if this is so then the cost would tip to staying with the factory setup. Me I prefer AWD, roadholding is better, no getting towed out of mud because you forgot to lock the front hubs before you went in (or it was pissing down with rain and you did not want to get wet or you was just plain lazy), ect.

regards

Dave

 

[Lka1988]

I don't see you getting any more 'power' out of part-time. Same power, minus the slight drag of the front gear set. I don't see 'easier to cruise on the freeway' for the same reason. Here's the thing though- it's your truck, you have driven it 2wd and 4wd. What difference does it make what I (or anyone else) thinks?

I can't say if it's the same drag as you get with AWD, but with part-time you can really tell the difference between 2WD and 4WD in terms of power making it to the road. As for poor handling in snow, you can always put it in 4WD like us cavemen do

I use the freeway several times a week. Same route. When I took out the broken front junk, rendering it 2WD, there was a noticeable difference in cruising ability, i.e. I can actually hold 70 MPH uphill without having to mash the throttle, and I can pass the slow minivans.

With Full-time, I need to mash the throttle almost past the floor just to maintain 70 on a flat stretch.

 

[-Spike-]

I use the freeway several times a week. Same route. When I took out the broken front junk, rendering it 2WD, there was a noticeable difference in cruising ability, i.e. I can actually hold 70 MPH uphill without having to mash the throttle, and I can pass the slow minivans.

With Full-time, I need to mash the throttle almost past the floor just to maintain 70 on a flat stretch.

If that's true, you should see a significant increase in MPG.

 

[VinSil]

I prefer my junk old school...and like to lock in hubs and pull the lever when I need 4wd.

But....again, if conditions arise, I'm with the others. Lock in your hubs (rare) and push a button...it is what I do. Part time user here.



Do it for no other reason than YOU know the conditions/truck more than it knows the roads.



As for saving cash....you really don't save much unless you NEED the LF's birfs. You may/maynot...but know they are burly and won't break under extreme stress. The stock stuff is fine...for other uses.


Good luck.

 

[Devil's Slide Doug]

I managed to keep the old 62 on the road with part time and no abs. I reckon I could do the same with an 80. It sure would be nice to have some beefier longs and to be a bit less anal about front axle maintenance.