I've driven my truck in 2WD; CDL locked front drive shaft and hub drive plates removed.
I wouldn't invest anything to make the change based on the difference.
BOLT-ON PART TIME/AWD kit: gauging interest
- Thread starter girraffe
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I wouldn't invest anything to make the change based on the difference.
I'm also wondering where AWD would be a disadvantage? MPG may be the only advantage of 2WD, but we're talking going from 15 to 16MPG. Whoopeee.
handling and driveability. Its not needed most of the time in a dry climate and the front wheels grabbing in certain conditions and on poor roads can suck. I'd prefer an option to be 2wd like the Gm transfer case features.
Someone should just get a set of locking hubs, pull their front drive shaft, lock the CDL and drive for a week or run a full tank of gas. Any questions about spending $500 or more will be quickly answered. I can see a couple of reasons why this kit might be useful.
1. Increase in MPG.
2. Less wear and tear on the front end components, CV’s, CV boots, front diff…etc.
3. You could possibly dialing in more lift on the front end and not have to worry as much about CV angles. I remember Downey Off-road did this in order to achieve 10 to 12 inches of travel with their 89 to 94 Toyota IFS kit. It was the constant high angle and highway speeds on the CV’s that did them in.
4. Maybe some more horse power for everyday driving?
5. Tire wear on the fronts could be improved?
I live in SoCal, so the need for AWD for everyday driving is really nil. What’s the cost of some selectable hubs for a 100?
1. Increase in MPG.
2. Less wear and tear on the front end components, CV’s, CV boots, front diff…etc.
3. You could possibly dialing in more lift on the front end and not have to worry as much about CV angles. I remember Downey Off-road did this in order to achieve 10 to 12 inches of travel with their 89 to 94 Toyota IFS kit. It was the constant high angle and highway speeds on the CV’s that did them in.
4. Maybe some more horse power for everyday driving?
5. Tire wear on the fronts could be improved?
I live in SoCal, so the need for AWD for everyday driving is really nil. What’s the cost of some selectable hubs for a 100?
I have never had any issues like this, in my opinion the full time 4wd helps in the conditions you describe.
IIRC GM uses a pinion lock on the front diff to engage 4wd.
I drove across Nevada, 300+miles with open hubs, no front DL, and the CDL locked. No remarkable increase in MPG.
I have multiple times and would like the option of 2wd. I dont know what a pinion lock is, might be a regional term.
You've stated this twice now. So you didn't notice a difference in steering and handling when driving in this manner?
RE pinion lock, my 93 GMC used this method to engage 4wd. The front IFS axles were always engaged. To engage 4wd the pinion shaft lock was engaged via a thermal linear actuator.
The only thing I've noticed is a minor amount of torque steer if I accelerate to hard in a turn. Nothing worth sacrificing the benefits of AWD for.
I guess I'm failing to understand why handling would be affected. I live in the desert and have never had issues with driveability due to AWD. On my old 4Runner and Tacomas with 2WD, rear tires would spin up some of the hilly dirt/gravel roads. AWD is more sure-footed, which also means less road damage and stone flinging out the back.
But we all have our own unique preferences. Guess those that are looking for a 2WD option, hope this works out.
It was thermal before changing to electric shift, but I've had never heard of the pinion lock term. Torque steer is exactly what I cant stand and would love to be able to eliminate. I dont drive FWD cars for that reason. There are better transfer cases out there that give the user more control. The lack of that option and the too high low range are both areas toyota dropped the ball on transfer case but at least they kept it lever operated.
Hubs also have the benefit of putting a fusible link in the front drivetrain that will go before the CVs of diff will. warn makes the kit designed to fail before joints. There are a lot of advantages to a kit like that, but theres no need to keep hijacking this thread.
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i posted a couple pics up to illustrate the idea.
No this is not a gas saver mod, My gas saver mod was a VW Jetta TDI...
I have an 80 and My wife had a 100 and I dont like the steering on dry pavement in the AWD, especially at lower speeds. Offroad, rain, sleet, snow, its great though.
No this is not a gas saver mod, My gas saver mod was a VW Jetta TDI...
I have an 80 and My wife had a 100 and I dont like the steering on dry pavement in the AWD, especially at lower speeds. Offroad, rain, sleet, snow, its great though.