Part time kit...pros-cons ??
- Thread starter SPECTRE
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The real question is do you like the way it drives in 2WD? I have found that every set up is different in the way they drive and many dont like the way there 80 drives in 2WD.
Discloser - I'm have been part-time for the last year and love it
Discloser - I'm have been part-time for the last year and love it
I don't have the Marks adapter kit but I am running in 2wd. My rig isn't a DD so I installed some hubs and run them unlocked while having the center diff locked. The truck certainly handles different in 2wd and took some getting used to. The only reason I went this route is because I installed a front Aussie Locker and didn't want to have to worry with it on pavement. When on the trail I simply lock the hubs and I'm good to go.
joker2040 said:
Wouldn't this still spin everything up front? Without the VC adaptor it would still spin the front drive shaft. The only way I thought to do it on the cheap was to run hubs and no front drive shaft...
This is correct. There is no other way to do it without modifying the transfer case.
With his front hubs unlocked, his aussie locker is not actively "locked" as both front wheels are free-spinning.
However, the diff & axle shafts are still rotating.
As far as the Pro's vs Con's... i have never used this kit, but i have had many part-time 4WD and AWD vehicles, and i cant think of any con's. Unless you are lazy and dont like locking/unlocking hubs. Pro's include better gas mileage, less wear on front end components, and just beeing cooler than the rest of us stuck in AWD.
While this is true that everything is still rotating, his goal is to avoid the steering manners of the lunchbox locker in the front axle when he is not off road. I tested this theory out on my Piggy a long time ago. Left the hubs locked, but drove in 2wd in town. It is annoying especially on sharp turns. John
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If just running the hubs, the front stuff (drive shaft, axles, diff, etc) will still turn, but not transfer any power. This will almost eliminate the load on them, greatly reducing the wear. In other words, will be effective, work well.
That was my thought as well. If what Tools is saying is correct that the op's approach works, then you wouldn't lose ABS and could still lock in the hubs unlock the cdl and still have 4hi. Is this correct?
Buck
In 2WD, The truck handles just like you'd expect it to handle. Less understeer, easier to turn, and loses traction more easily. The driveshaft is a little less angry. Gas mileage is slightly better, but not hugely significant. I just have the hubs, not the transfer case. Getting them installed cost roughly $500 including the hubs themselves.
I really dont see the point making it 2wd, our 80 are designed to be 4wd and all of its components. Some say it takes some load off the front parts but your putting all that load in the rear so whats the point? I have driven lots of part-time cruisers back home in Venezuela and its not that I dont like it but if you have the advantage of a full time 4wd, why bother making it worse?
I feel the part-time 80's lighter to drive (turning, cornering,...) but that is just 80 with stock part-time kits, I have never driven a full-time converted into pt
I feel the part-time 80's lighter to drive (turning, cornering,...) but that is just 80 with stock part-time kits, I have never driven a full-time converted into pt
as you type not all 80 are designed to be AWD .. mine it's a factory Part time and I love .. it much more agile compared to any AWD 80 ..
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As David said, this is just not correct. Many 80 came with a part time transfer case (HF1A) from the factory.
J
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- #16
Can you buy a factory part time transfer case and just swap it in then add hubs ?
Depends on which tranny you are mating it up to.
The HF1A never came behind an A343F that we got here. It did come behind the A440F and the A442F as well as the manual trannies of the time period.
It's something I've considered. Never had AWD before the 80, after decades of driving manual tranny 4x4s with locking hubs. But I've since found I enjoyed the advantages of AWD during the winter. And it's nice in the rain, too. I can definitely see the advantages if I was located someplace warmer, drier, but as things are, will be sticking with AWD...
Of course, give it a decade or two, it'll probably be warm and dry enough here for that, given the way this spring has been so far. They actually had to issue a frost warning since it's turning more seasonal tomorrow, because it's been so darn warm people and farmers have stuff planted that shouldn't be as big as it is for a month during most years.
Of course, give it a decade or two, it'll probably be warm and dry enough here for that, given the way this spring has been so far. They actually had to issue a frost warning since it's turning more seasonal tomorrow, because it's been so darn warm people and farmers have stuff planted that shouldn't be as big as it is for a month during most years.
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I have the A440F in my 91 FJ80