Has anyone out there ever installed the Marks 4WD part time 4wd kit on an 80 series? I have a lot of highway time, and this seems to make sense.
Marks 4WD Part Time 4WD adapter kit (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter Tim Collier
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Will Van
GOLD Star
I wouldn’t mess with Mark’s PT kit. Their hubs stink.
Look up one of the local vendors. They come with high quality Aisin locking hubs and a Japanese made t-case spool.
I got mine from Cruiser Outfitters.
Look up one of the local vendors. They come with high quality Aisin locking hubs and a Japanese made t-case spool.
I got mine from Cruiser Outfitters.
Aisin hubs are much better than AVM but without the additional groove they wont do you much good. The machining of Marks spool is much nicer than anyone else. That said I run both Marks and others spools and both AVM and Aisin hubs. Also I believe Marks is the only company that can retain the ABS something important to other countries safety standards.
Will Van
GOLD Star
Roger that. I should have just said, “AVM hubs stink.”
But on the internet, the best way to get the correct answer is to post the wrong one.
Here's Phil installing the Marks set up.
Doing a part time conversion for any other reason than dealing more easily with off road failures/break downs is wasted money. Some say that the steering feel is much lighter, I didn’t notice that. Fuel economy gain, if any, will be insignificant. The 80 was designed for over the road and “expedition” type use and the factory AWD system works great for that and really shines on snowy slick roads.
If you end up doing this, definitely go with the sexier Aisin hubs and use this as an opportunity to install the 3.12 low range gear while you at it. My 2 cents on the subject.
If you end up doing this, definitely go with the sexier Aisin hubs and use this as an opportunity to install the 3.12 low range gear while you at it. My 2 cents on the subject.
SmokingRocks
hopelessly addicted to Cruisers
Ya know that soooooooooo many of the 80's were not full time 4WD from the factory right? We just didn't get them here. Infact they were built up till 2008, so it might be safe to say that most 80's were not full time 4WD.
So I've done the part time and the low gears 'and' Aisin hubs - what you're forgetting is for those of us with manuals going part time gets rid of a huge amount of driveline lash. I agree, no change to economy my steering on;y feels a bit different when accelerating from lights but then again thats maybe more in a manual/V8 combo too.
Vehicles existing in foreign markets are of no concern to myself. For many years 80’s roamed the highways in awd mode and based on the number of miles most have on the clock, no one was really bothered by its performance... The only reason I went part time was so if I experiences any type of failure with the front drive components, all I have to do at that particular time is unlock one or both hubs to drive home. Not to say that finishing the trail won’t require me to bust out tools and get dirty in some cases. IMO, there is nothing significant to gain for on road use by being part time.
SmokingRocks
hopelessly addicted to Cruisers
Fair enough. I had converted mine to part time but ultimately went back to full time without the VC. I liked the driving dynamic of 2wd on the road and I did see about 1mpg added albiet not consistent.
I hated loosing the ability to unlock the center diff in 4WD, being able to unlock the center diff to make tight corners off road is so nice and in CO we have tons of tight switch backs.. I love wheeling with all diffs open.
I hated loosing the ability to unlock the center diff in 4WD, being able to unlock the center diff to make tight corners off road is so nice and in CO we have tons of tight switch backs.. I love wheeling with all diffs open.
With so many of our cruisers reaching 300k, 400k, 500k miles what is the life expectancy of the viscous coupler before it fails and locks up? I agree, no added mpg, or power on road, and I love my snow grip. Once the VC goes though....do we have options other than Part Time?
SmokingRocks
hopelessly addicted to Cruisers
You don't need the VC to have full time 4WD. I took mine out, many members have. Yes it changes how the system handles loss of traction but it's not something you can't deal with. Just get a CDL button and click it when the conditions are poor.
For me part time gave me the 4wd feel I grew up with and zero vibs at 100.... priceless
Run part time with POS hubs on our LX470 also for same reason with added no more torque steer.
Run part time with POS hubs on our LX470 also for same reason with added no more torque steer.
I don’t know of a source for new VC’s. The VC is a limited slip between the drive axles that splits power 50/50 and puts some cushion in the system that soaks up driveline slack and allows differential action while sending power to the front wheels.
A center diff lock switch is good but it pus the driveline in real 4x4 mode which, in my experience, is not as forgiving on slick roads.
I sold a VC out of a 1994 HF2AV last year for like $25. It worked properly but the outside showed heat discoloration.
Who drives an 80 series 100 mph? I don’t think mine can go that fast.
Who drives an 80 series 100 mph? I don’t think mine can go that fast.
Testing for vibs I stay below 100 until it reaches proper operating temperature dont want to stress a cold motor.
Hi, Probably not good to let your insurance co see this. Mike
I have no viscous coupler since mine is a 92. So I just installed front hubs. In the summer 2wd will be nice for doing burnouts and help the birfields last longer. This is especially nice if u have chromoly birfs. They will still be spinning but with no load on them.
SmokingRocks
hopelessly addicted to Cruisers
The VC is not capable of locking a 50/50 split of power. It's able to transfer some torque but if your front is disconnected / free wheeling then you are going to be sending most of the torque through the front an like 20% to the rear. The rig will feel like it's slipping in gear.
If you do feel as though it's locked your VC may have grenaded itself. To make a proper part time conversion you need a spool locker in place of the VC.
If you do feel as though it's locked your VC may have grenaded itself. To make a proper part time conversion you need a spool locker in place of the VC.
