talk to me about the part-time kit...

[IronYuppy]

OK, I am thinking about ordering the AVM kit, but here's the thing...

What, exactly, does it involve? Is it just new hubs?

I have a '94, but it already has the VC removed, and I added the CDL switch with the 7-pin mod. If I wanted to go with a part-time setup, wouldn't I only need to replace the stock hubs with manual ones - and aren't the mini-truck/Hilux Aisin hubs compatible?

I'm trying to wrap my head around the whole concept of the p/t setup. To run part-time, you need to lock the CDL and free-wheel the hubs, right? That keeps the front axles from driving anything at their outer end. The only things in the front end moving under power when in p/t is the driveshaft, R&P, and front inner shafts, right?

Am I missing something?

So I guess what I'm wondering is why not just get p/t hubs from Toyota?

 

[sdnative]

Without the CDL engaged and hubs locked, nothing is moving in the front end from the TC forward. So two points of disconnect: TC and hubs.

You lose ABS without the hubs locked.

I have this kit, I could do without. I would sell it if there were an easy way to remove it (I bought the truck with it installed).

 

[cme4lyt]

Without the CDL engaged and hubs locked, nothing is moving in the front end from the TC forward. So two points of disconnect: TC and hubs.

You lose ABS without the hubs locked.

I have this kit, I could do without. I would sell it if there were an easy way to remove it (I bought the truck with it installed).

Curious to know why you don't like the part-time set up ? I'm about to do this and I want to know more...

Thanks for sharing !

 

[-Spike-]

I was under the impression the part-time kit removed (or disabled) the center differential, so the front driveshaft doesn't get power at all unless the CDL is locked. Otherwise, all the same stuff is turning, although not connected to each other.

 

[ms018kmf]

I had one on my old 92, it came with the truck. If I had bought and installed it I would have been disappointed. I got 9mpg in 2WD and I suspect AWD would have made a negligible difference.

If I was running Longfields it would be cool to reduce wear, that is the only upside that I see.

 

[CreeperSleeper]

I was under the impression the part-time kit removed (or disabled) the center differential, so the front driveshaft doesn't get power at all unless the CDL is locked. Otherwise, all the same stuff is turning, although not connected to each other.

That is correct.


Sent from my DROID2

 

[Jeppers]

Might want to give the guys at ACC toyota in Atlanta a call. I was over there a couple of months ago and Will said they can do the conversion in a day and i dont think it was nearly as much as other kits.

 

[ACC Toyota]

We do our own conversion in house. And yes our installed price is comparable to the other kits uninstalled. I believe its well worth it. My personal truck is part time and getting 17mpg on the highway really does happen, I sent you a pm.

Will

 

[sdnative]

My personal truck is part time and getting 17mpg on the highway

Sounds like marketing to me. Your truck may be part time and you may be getting 17mpg, but I doubt one is a direct result of the other.


In my experience and multiple accounts of others, a PT conversion does not give a noticable increase in fuel mileage. Maybe in theory

Curious to know why you don't like the part-time set up ? I'm about to do this and I want to know more...

The driveline slop is really noticeable with the hubs unlocked, almost annoying. Sometimes I lock the hubs without CDL engaged to make things feel normal again. I would like to hear the opinions of others in this area. Maybe it's just my truck... Mine is the first PT 80 I have driven so I have nothing to compare against.

 

[Josh N]

We do our own conversion in house. And yes our installed price is comparable to the other kits uninstalled. I believe its well worth it. My personal truck is part time and getting 17mpg on the highway really does happen, I sent you a pm.

Will

Not to sound inflammatory but I have a 92 and get 17mpg on the highway bone stock. I dip down to around the 10-12 range on road in town. I suppose adding mods would kill that and possibly then necessitate the need to go part time. Still I too have been curious about this particular mod and would love to hear from more folks that have made the leap as well.

 

[IronYuppy]

I should clarify I'm not looking to get better gas mileage with this mod - I want to do it to save wear and tear on the front end components.

 

[OGBeno]

I should clarify I'm not looking to get better gas mileage with this mod - I want to do it to save wear and tear on the front end components.

This is the only reason anyone should even justify doing a PT conversion to the HF2AV transfer case.

Gas mileage improvement is placebo at best.

Gary Coberly did this years ago and reported no mileage increase at all.

I've done this conversion and it has not increased at all my gas mileage.

It does drive completely different than with the FT HF2AV. It feels different, wheels differently, etc.

This "mod" is not for the faint-of-heart.

 

[IronYuppy]

...
This "mod" is not for the faint-of-heart.

Why's that, Beno? Because of the handling characteristics after the mod, or for the banana-level of the mod itself?

I should add that I have been driving without a front drive-shaft for a few months, due to an unrelated issue. I find the front end feels "lighter" while disengaged, but not unmanagable. Does disengaging the hubs make that much difference in the handling?

 

[OGBeno]

Putting a spool in is 2-3 banana work at most...just takes time.

It's not just modifying the center diff. You are adding hubs, taking away ABS (unless you lock your front hubs all the time which defeats the purpose of this mod), and increasing the work the rear drive shaft is doing since it is now solely powering the rig (it can handle it, but I wouldn't be surprised if the u-joints fail quicker, especially on lifted/heavy rigs).

Your driving characteristics will have to change in terms of how you use your braking system; technically getting rid of ABS is a "no-no" from liability and insurance points of view as well.

Personally, this modification is not for your everyday DD LC user. But that's just my opinion.

 

[PAFJ]

The driveline slop is really noticeable with the hubs unlocked, almost annoying. Sometimes I lock the hubs without CDL engaged to make things feel normal again. I would like to hear the opinions of others in this area. Maybe it's just my truck... Mine is the first PT 80 I have driven so I have nothing to compare against.

From my research on Mud I have read that the PT kit is supposed to eliminate drive line slop.

I guess not so much in your case.

 

[OGBeno]

From my research on Mud I have read that the PT kit is supposed to eliminate drive line slop.

I guess not so much in your case.

That is truck-specific. There are probably issues there.

 

[snowrider73]

I too have considered this mod but I have never read a single thread that has "Wowed me" enough to want to spend the time and money to do it. In fact, as beno said, it is not for the faint of heart and not recommended for the DD.

 

[PAFJ]

not recommended for the DD.

Why not? It's basically just like driving a older cruiser or 4x4.

 

[OGBeno]

Why not? It's basically just like driving a older cruiser or 4x4.

Maybe on a stock 80 it might be similar to an earlier LC, but I have an FJ60 and it does not drive like my 80--not even close.

Suspensions are different, center of gravity is different, braking systems are different, transfer cases different, trannys are different, engine power is differemt and the weight of the rigs are different as well.

 

[snowrider73]

Why not? It's basically just like driving a older cruiser or 4x4.

I like the safety and piece of mind that I get from having ABS on a 6000+ lb vehicle. It never ceases to amaze me the amount of times that I have to jam on my brakes because some idiot on their phone can't see my armored tank in the lane next to them or from that stop sign that they are rolling through. I can see the benefit if you do a lot of long distance highway travel but not around town. I also can't imagine the cost benefit as far as gas mileage goes. I get 12 mpg around town and 14 Max on the highway in areas where they use ethanol enriched gas. A bit more in rural areas. I've never heard of anyone who got more than a 1 mpg gain from this mod.