Newb -> engaging 4wd and locking hubs.

[lonelydriver]

I just got my fj62 last weekend and am excited to start restoring it. It's my first land cruiser and my first 4wd car.

First question.

What exactly arelocking hubs. Is it the knobs on the front wheels that you can turn b/w free and lock?

2nd what do locking hubs do?

3Rd, can i drive with the hubs locked all the time or will it do damage.

Finally, how do I get into 4wd? Do the hubs need to be locked before I push the 4wd button?

Once in 4wd do i just pull the shifter down in to 4lo to get into 4wd low?

Sorry for the questions that must seem idioticallyl obvious to you guys, but just want to make sure I'm doing things right.

I've tried searching but didnt' have luck.

Thank you and regards,
-Kevin

 

[fjman]

Well first off, welcome to the best LC resource on the web.

You can drive withthem locked while not in 4wd although many feel it can cause unneeded wear and worstens gas milage. To get in to low you just pull the knob down into low. Just make sure your going really slow! Low is really low! I would comment on getting into 4wd but I have an older model and there is no 4x4 button.

Again, welcome to the forum!

 

[Poser]

Welcome.


Yes, they are the 'knobs' on the front wheels...


They isolate the wheel from the axle, so that they do not cause drag on the driveline when you are not in 4WD.


You can drive with them locked in all the time, but it is not something that I would do, as the wear on the front end driveline components will increase...



Lock in the hubs, and then push the button.


Yes, pulling the lever into 4lo will give you 4lo.


No owners manual in the glove box?


Invest in factory books Kevin.


Good luck!


-Steve

 

[lonelydriver]

Thanks for the info. It had the manual, but honestly it's not a very good one. Already ordered the factory service manual, a new thermostat with gaskets since the car seems to be running cold. The temp needle barely gets past the first mark on the gauge.

Seems like the truck needs a knuckle rebuild and something is leaking out of possibly the rear brake line or something back there.

The tranny has a hard shift from 1st to 2nd gear. Is this something I should be worried about?

 

[roscoFJ73]

. It's my first land cruiser and my first 4wd car.


-Kevin

Congrats on your 1st 4wd car

Please ,we use the term cruiser around here,but never 4wd car

Kev,if you tackle the the thermostat before you get the FSM ask around here about the correct placement of thermostat gaskets. It causes no end of confusion.
The hard shift from 1st to second is sometimes cured with an oil change.
If not ,its probably old age

The knuckle rebuild is often accompanied by a disc brake rotor change as you have to remove them anyway,so be prepared. They can lose a max 1mm in thickness before a change is necessary.

Leaky rear brake line is usually a wheel cylinder.

 

[soggy60]

Congrats, too, on entering the world of cruzen !

As for 4WD, all the above is correct
BUT Do Not drive in 4LO on good traction surface !

4Lo is ONLY for loose / low traction (sand/snow/mud, etc)

Not a good idea to be in 4HI on good traction surfaces either....

 

[lonelydriver]

Thanks for all the help guys This place is great.

 

[grrlscout89FJ62]

Welcome!

And, at least on my 62, the instructions for engaging the 4wd are printed on the glovebox. Though, admittedly, the English can be a little iffy in spots.

 

[djawahir]

Hey lonelydriver, the stuff leaking in the rear could very well be the diff fluid coming out of the rear axle breather. Check the hose that goes from the pass. side of axle and follow it up, up, up. I thought mine was brake fluid when I first got my cruiser.

Welcome to the board.

 

[nvdesertrider]

The tranny has a hard shift from 1st to 2nd gear. Is this something I should be worried about?

My 62 is only two weeks old and when i first got it i also experienced a hard shift from first to second, especially when on flat or downhill roads.. all i did was adjust the tranny "kickdown" cable by making it longer and now the shifts are mercedes slushbox smooth.

mercedes slushbox smooth... try saying that fast 5 times