I like the way the full time drive handles on gravel montain roads. It tracks well, even uphill on washboard surfaces. With my rear drive 60, the washboard made the rear end walk sideways and you had to slow down. If your front end is broke or worn out, I see the dilemma of repairing it but there is no way I would convert a perfectly functional AWD to part time.
I like the way the full time drive handles on gravel montain roads. It tracks well, even uphill on washboard surfaces. With my rear drive 60, the washboard made the rear end walk sideways and you had to slow down. If your front end is broke or worn out, I see the dilemma of repairing it but there is no way I would convert a perfectly functional AWD to part time.
I am a full time 4wd fanatic, it is one of my favorite features about the 80. I LOVE being able to have a center diff when playing at Moab (turning tigher than TJs on rock).
I grew up in UT, but now live in CO mountains (9000ft). So I spend a lot of time driving on roads that are a mix of bare dry pavement (sunny spots) and ice (shaded). I love having full time 4wd and not worry about whether to shift in or out of 4wd for mixed surfaces, and especially not worry about turns.
I recently picked up an 05 Ram with a Cummins and 6 spd, very nose heavy. I was trying to get out of an icy parking lot and needed to make a sharp turn coming out of the stall. Even though I was being gentle with the clutch, the rear end broke loose and almost slid into the car next to me.
In a full time 4x4, that would have been a non issue. The front wheels were on dry pavement and part time 4x4 would have done pretty much the same thing as rwd only while trying to turn.
Full Time 4WD...that is one of the reasons I won 2 of these trucks and why I am buying a 3rd. Chromalloy will wear faster than OEM....you will need to replace them more frequently if you use this as a daily driver .... at least that is what my research is telling me.
MPG is worth it, and the slight power increase. It will eventually pay for itself. Although chromoly axles? Have you had a problem with breaking stockers?
If you are around today, I will be installing the part time kit in mine today. I am heading over to my shop right now. Stop by if you would like...and you can pick up that AFM while your at it.
years ago I ran into a guy who had a mint original WWII Willys Jeep. It was one that never went overseas because the war ended before it could be shipped. It had been in the family ever since. It was beautiful, red and stock!
This guy told me something I have always held close whenever considering modifications; the stock set-up is always a better way to go as it will allow the truck to work as intended and in a more predictable manner in all conditions.
I'm a firm believer in AWD/full-time 4WD for the superior general handling characteristics above and beyond the prior statement.
years ago I ran into a guy who had a mint original WWII Willys Jeep. It was one that never went overseas because the war ended before it could be shipped. It had been in the family ever since. It was beautiful, red and stock!
This guy told me something I have always held close whenever considering modifications; the stock set-up is always a better way to go as it will allow the truck to work as intended and in a more predictable manner in all conditions.
I'm a firm believer in AWD/full-time 4WD for the superior general handling characteristics above and beyond the prior statement.
The US is full of soccer moms and they wanted to compete with the MINIVAN, so women were driving them instead of MEN. Haha, JK, but really, the US isn't as hardcore as say Australia? I mean, how many cruisers actually see dirt compared to overseas?
I voted full time OEM. But after reading comments and some thought, why not go the part time route? As for keeping the original design - hogwash! From what I read here on MUD, there's at least as many part times from Mr. T, as full times, if you include the entire world. Although most other modern part times have the transfer case with rear output and drive shaft inline and centered rear diff. I like the VC and full time on my '94, but if I had the early 3FE based version, I'd really be tempted to go part time. It's your call, though. Good luck with your choice, Lane!
Something that might be different for you than me, though ... what Tcase are you using?
if you are using the stock transfer case with the center diff locked and the hubs unlocked, then you can really choose to go PT or FT, right? Just by locking/unlocking the hubs?
if you are adding a PT tcase, then you'll enjoy more of the power/mileage benefits that you seek.
Either way- PT works well for my purposes. I would almost certainly choose the cheaper option and thus have more $$ to spend on something else.
MPG is worth it, and the slight power increase. It will eventually pay for itself. Although chromoly axles? Have you had a problem with breaking stockers?
If you are around today, I will be installing the part time kit in mine today. I am heading over to my shop right now. Stop by if you would like...and you can pick up that AFM while your at it.
Something that might be different for you than me, though ... what Tcase are you using?
if you are using the stock transfer case with the center diff locked and the hubs unlocked, then you can really choose to go PT or FT, right? Just by locking/unlocking the hubs?
if you are adding a PT tcase, then you'll enjoy more of the power/mileage benefits that you seek.
Either way- PT works well for my purposes. I would almost certainly choose the cheaper option and thus have more $$ to spend on something else.
Stock HF2A. Slee sells the AVM part-time kit for $660 or so, but I've thought about running a 62 t-case, just so I don't have to "modify" (read: FUBAR) my stock t-case.
years ago I ran into a guy who had a mint original WWII Willys Jeep. It was one that never went overseas because the war ended before it could be shipped. It had been in the family ever since. It was beautiful, red and stock!
This guy told me something I have always held close whenever considering modifications; the stock set-up is always a better way to go as it will allow the truck to work as intended and in a more predictable manner in all conditions.
I'm a firm believer in AWD/full-time 4WD for the superior general handling characteristics above and beyond the prior statement.
I've had FWHs on my HDJ80 for a while and it definately makes it drive nicer..
However, I originally busted my front sway bar when it was full time and there was a noticable difference with the front end but once I had the front diff locked out it was even more noticeable.
I guess having the front diff driven helps pull the front of the 80 down, whereas when it's undriven it's free to squat and lift up as it pleases.
I think it's personally preference and whether or not you need all wheel drive. I do not. BTW, My Aisin hubs just arrived, I'm ordering the part time kit from Marks minus the AVM hubs.
I have my 1997 Lexus setup for Expedition Travel / Camping and it is about 45 days from being mostly done. There are still a few future mods that need to be done...cargo barrier, axle cams, speaker upgrade with subwoofer, and a few other things.
The 1996 Lexus is being setup with a pretty heavy build for off road and to be used as a daily driver.
The third one will be setup for off road use only....turbocharged, 37" tires, roll cage, etc. .... unless I can find someone who can build me this...then I will go that route...
BMW 3 Series Turbo...best road car made in my opinion for under 100K...better than the 5 Series or anything else out there...and it should be quote capable of spinning donuts.
Another for part time. I will be going this route this summer. I'm just debating whether I use the spare hf2a in my garage to convert or find a case out of a FJ-62. I loved how the rig ran in 2wd(power on hills, etc) when I had the front diff out.
I drove a part time 80 last summer. It doesn't feel any faster but then it was fully loaded for a week of offroading/camping. The steering was better-it was more crisp and a bit lighter.
Obviously in snow or even rain, you might lock the hubs and t-case and use the 4 wheel drive.
Anyway, I was more taken with it than I thought, and don't necessarily see it as a bad thing. My other Cruisers are part time 4wd and have not been a problem.
Being able to take the front drive out of the equation could also be useful in certain circumstances-like where you are trying to limp home with broken front end parts.
Perhaps the biggest advantage, would to enable the use of the Longfield Chro/Mo axle shafts and birfs. They do not last in full time use(17K miles for one local here), but would be perfecty fine in part time use.
