Top speed to shift in 4wd

[WALoeIII]

Mark, Do you feel any difference when the hubs are locked and the TCase is still in 2WD (slower overall due to the additional hardware being engaged)? How about gas mileage change?
Bryan

I never noticed anything. Like most of these guys have said, during the winter I pretty much leave my hubs locked and pop in 4 if I need it, and out when the concrete becomes clear. Often times this means on the off-ramp of the interstate I am re-engaging 4 and disengaging it on the on-ramps, works fine.

 

[Mace]

Mark, Do you feel any difference when the hubs are locked and the TCase is still in 2WD (slower overall due to the additional hardware being engaged)? How about gas mileage change?
Bryan

Funny thing, the BEST mileage I have ever gotten was 21mpg. That was in and out of 4wd while driving up to Reno.

hubs locked the entire time.

 

[Mark W]

I've never noticed much (any?) difference. At least not that I could attribute to having the hubs locked.

I did check for drivetrain drag a couple of times. A particular upgrade. Not real long, but just steep enough that some (stock) Cruisers can hold speed, others lose headway. I checked a couple of rigs and with the hubs locked, starting at the same speed at the bottom, there was about a 1-2 percent difference in top speed at the top of the grade. Very seat of the pants and not at all scientific. But it does appear that there is a small loss when running with the hubs locked. I'll give up a couple of percentage points for the security of having the hubs locked when needed.


Mark...

 

[Toadhopper]

Thanks Mark and WALoe3.
Toad