Manual hubs

[jessef]

I did a search and didn't come up with anyone tossing on manual hubs on their Delica's.

Has anyone done it ?

This is what I've done on my Paj. I don't have a Deli to compare to, to see if the spline count is the same (28 on my Paj)

Anyone chime in ?

Thanks
Jesse

ps. Would like to stay away from auto / manual hub which is better type of thread. They both have their vices. I prefer manual's as I've been stuck in some rare occasions where I need them engaged without having the room to rock back and forth or go back to engage the auto flanges.

Pic of the superwinch hubs on my Paj :

http://store.summitracing.com/partdetai ... toview=sku

[BCDelica]

Seen three. Can't remember who all switched up. Remember though talking to one owner whom found the size on the self at Cambodian tire.

http://www.delica.ca/forum/manual-locki ... ght=manual

[jessef]

Seen three. Can't remember who all switched up. Remember though talking to one owner whom found the size on the self at Cambodian tire.

http://www.delica.ca/forum/manual-locki ... ght=manual

That's the only thread I've found as well. Still nothing on manual hubs aside from Milner's.

Can anyone give me a spline count on the shaft ?

Thanks
Jesse

[jessef]

57 views and no one knows the spline count ?

EDITED.

found on mdocuk.

[Green1]

I prefer manual's as I've been stuck in some rare occasions where I need them engaged without having the room to rock back and forth or go back to engage the auto flanges.

I'm not going to argue the benefits of one vs the other (partially because I agree that manual is better for hardcore offroading)

However it should be noted that there are 2 ways to do auto-hubs:
1) where the wheels must turn to engage the hubs (useless, and the reason you state for wanting manual hubs)
2) where only the axle need turn to engage the hubs (much better, and lets you engage the hubs even when you have NO room or ability to move)

The Delica is done the smart way, so there is no need to be able to move to engage the hubs (though when not moving I tend to recommend VERY gentle application of the accelerator until the hubs have locked!)

Not saying you should avoid the manual hubs, just saying that the auto ones aren't as bad as you might think (or as bad as some manufacturers do)

[jessef]

I prefer manual's as I've been stuck in some rare occasions where I need them engaged without having the room to rock back and forth or go back to engage the auto flanges.

I'm not going to argue the benefits of one vs the other (partially because I agree that manual is better for hardcore offroading)

However it should be noted that there are 2 ways to do auto-hubs:
1) where the wheels must turn to engage the hubs (useless, and the reason you state for wanting manual hubs)
2) where only the axle need turn to engage the hubs (much better, and lets you engage the hubs even when you have NO room or ability to move)

The Delica is done the smart way, so there is no need to be able to move to engage the hubs (though when not moving I tend to recommend VERY gentle application of the accelerator until the hubs have locked!)

Not saying you should avoid the manual hubs, just saying that the auto ones aren't as bad as you might think (or as bad as some manufacturers do)

I have nothing against the auto flanges.

I just prefer manuals.

Found the spline count and superwinch's are ordered.

Thanks for the PM's guys
Jesse

[Erebus]

I have nothing against the auto flanges.

I just prefer manuals.

Found the spline count and superwinch's are ordered.
Jesse

Okay, so what was the spline count?

Personally I'd love to see hubs that are both manual AND auto. Oh, actually, just writing this I seem to remember Ford had them on the Excursion. But if I remember right, they took the worst of both and made a really flimsy version.

[asorensen]

I some how missed this post previous to this point. I have had the Superwinch manual hubs for about two year now. It was basically a necessity seeing as how my van came with permanently locked hubs (so always engaged). I do like the idea that I can lock my hubs in a sticky situation without having to do any rolling around. The superwinch for the Montero fit the van (28 spline, 6bolt).

Andy

[jessef]

I some how missed this post previous to this point. I have had the Superwinch manual hubs for about two year now. It was basically a necessity seeing as how my van came with permanently locked hubs (so always engaged). I do like the idea that I can lock my hubs in a sticky situation without having to do any rolling around. The superwinch for the Montero fit the van (28 spline, 6bolt).

Andy

Ditto. Thanks for your other post Andy. Nice mods

Jesse

[jessef]

I posted this elsewhere as well as I've had a few PM's with some confusion as to why you would have these installed.

The manual superwinch hubs don't affect the mileage. Not as far as I could tell. Maybe by a .0001%.

Pro's =

Only thing that rotates is the hub and not the entire CV/axle (extending life)
Turn it on. It's on.
Turn it off. It's off. No moving back or forward to engage/disengage.
Fewer parts/stronger than the auto hub/flange.
Hubs turned off x 4Low = 4Low with only rear wheel drive = no binding (tight full wheel lock turns are easy)

Con's =

Price. $100
You have to get out of your vehicle to engage them.

Jesse

[Energizer]

Cons - replacing something that ain't broke.

Unless your driving really far from home of course.

[jessef]

Cons - replacing something that ain't broke.

Unless your driving really far from home of course.

Exactly the reason why it's justifiable.

Pro = Won't explode like auto's.

Have you had an auto hub literally explode on you ? If so, you'll know why either a) flange or b) manual hub will save your butt if you're in a remote area.

The 'don't fix it if it ain't broke' deal doesn't fare well when you are wheelin' and putting stress on components that can fracture easier than others.

ie. auto hubs to manual hubs

It's an old horse that's been beaten to death long before the Delica's were even in production.

Manual's are stronger and less susceptible to cracking/breaking. It's common knowledge.

Manual hubs will put less strain on your CV's because they are not turning (opposed to auto's).

This is obviously a good thing if you are off the beaten path and strip one or both of your CV's. With auto's, your toast.

With manual's, you just unlock them and you can drive away in 2wheel drive.

Auto's can be troublesome if you get stuck in 2wd and then shift into 4WD to try and get out. The auto's need tire/hub rotation (not much) to lock and if you are stuck to the point of not being able to move, the front end may not lock up.

Manual locking hubs provide a lot more options for getting off the trail. I know this and so does anyone who's done some serious wheeling or who relies upon 4wheel drive outside of the city.

I'm not saying that auto's suck and are horrible components to have on a 4x4.

I'm just stating some facts/experience between the two and why one is better for safety reasons (stuck in a remote area without maneuverability) over the other.

I've got an old Toyo with auto's and I only had to rebuilt them once over the course of a decade with heavy use.

It comes down to personal preference.

I'm just sharing what I know with people who may not realize the difference between the two.

Jesse

[Green1]

The auto's need tire/hub rotation (not much) to lock and if you are stuck to the point of not being able to move, the front end may not lock up.

I'll preface this by saying that I am not disagreeing with your main point as I do truly believe that manual hubs are better, but this particular example that people keep giving doesn't apply to the Delica system, this is true in some designs, but on the delica only the front axle need rotate, the wheels themselves can stay perfectly still. this means that if you are really and truly stuck, you CAN still lock the hubs on the delica and get going. (I've done this several times now with the auto hubs)

[jessef]

The auto's need tire/hub rotation (not much) to lock and if you are stuck to the point of not being able to move, the front end may not lock up.

I'll preface this by saying that I am not disagreeing with your main point as I do truly believe that manual hubs are better, but this particular example that people keep giving doesn't apply to the Delica system, this is true in some designs, but on the delica only the front axle need rotate, the wheels themselves can stay perfectly still. this means that if you are really and truly stuck, you CAN still lock the hubs on the delica and get going. (I've done this several times now with the auto hubs)

Agreed. I should be more clear by saying I was generalizing.

There is nothing wrong with the auto hubs on the Mitsu's. They can outlast a vehicle.

I prefer the added strength, reliability and switching options (2wh low / stripped cv's) and still be able to drive with the manual's.

I don't see it as a necessity unless you are relying on this vehicle in remote areas and doing a lot of wheeling.

Jesse

[Mystery Machine]

Well, having now been through my THIRD set of self-destructing Auto-hubs (you just gotta love that noise when they let go!) I am trying to source a set of manual hubs. With the amount of off-road mayhem I've been getting myself into, I have been meaning to swap to manual hubs for some time. I've always known that they are more up-to-the-task than the auto ones, but have not had any luck sourcing some? (unless you're doing a lot of off-road driving, the Auto ones will be fine forever, so please don't let me worry you?)

One slight snag - this is a small island which the rest of the world doesn't seem to want to deal with when you only want one piddly little item. Superwinch (or any of the UK distributors) don't sell the hubs - only winches! I have emailed several US distributors (numerous times too) and not once had a reply....and I do write very polite emails too!

One company advertises on eBay (.com, not .co.uk) and they list international shipping, yet when I have contacted them to confirm shipping.....yes, you've guessed it...no reply! :(

So my question to you all (AKA - my plea!) is this: Will any of you kind souls be willing to purchase some hubs from Canada/US and ship them to me here in the UK? I will pay up front so that you aren't out of pocket....it's just that I am losing hope of ever getting a set and really don't want to be changing another set of hubs due to their suicidal tendencies!

On a side note - apparently the best hubs you can get are Aisin ones - as fitted to some Pajero's and Montero's where the original owner specified manual ones instead of Auto ones. Pretty hard to come by, but according to many sources, the dogs danglies in manual hubs!

Any help el mucho appreciated.

Bruce.