Manual hub benefits.

[mac_stang]

I ve been moving through the entire forum, watching this whole manual hub thing develope, and i can't believe no one has mentioned any drivability and fuel economy benefits.
I come from a recreational off-road back ground and have learned a few things.
Back in the 70's foreign and domestic manufacturers switched to auto(vaccum) and fixed(all-time locked hub assblys)
It didnt last long...this did nothing but decrease stearability and destroy any edge on fuel economy!
I plan on doing mine ASAP because i know we will get better economy and in wont feel like we're steering with 15lbs of air in the tires!
I would like some response regarding any experiences found in other l400's with this mod.

Thanks: Brad!

[jessef]

No noticeable increase in fuel economy.

No noticeable difference in road handling.

Noticeable difference on wear/tear on front driveline.

This topic has been thoroughly discussed and obviously drivability and benefits were discussed.

If you cant search, I'll do it for you.

[Profister]

Unfortunately this mod does not do anything to fuel economy on Delicas; this is what I have learned from all Delica forums (including Russians). I do not think we need to start this over again.

[jessef]

Here you go

Enjoy

http://www.delica.ca/forum/advanced-sea ... mit=Search

[mac_stang]

i've read them all...was just expecting more insight, just seems to be mostly speculation(should,could,would,how)
This is the single most cost effective mod in every other early model 4x4 ever built with fixed hubs, just expected more i guess.



Brad

[jessef]

No insight. Not sure what threads you're reading but most of the manual hub threads are years old and offer simple facts.

The L400 doesn't have auto hubs. Just has a flange block. Robust, wont break. The L400 driveline is pretty slick/efficient hence the permanent flanges.

I was hoping that they would help with fuel economy but alas they do not.

I cant stand auto hubs and go with manuals whenever I can.

Reasons :

Reduces driveline wear (debatable as the mitsu drivelines are setup well with the auto hubs/flanges).
Stronger than auto hubs.
Ability to allow 4Lo in only 2WD.
When they are locked, they are locked. No need to back up to unlock them like auto's.

Doesn't improve/change fuel economy.

Not as strong as L400 flanges.

[mac_stang]

Thanks jfarsang...seems u are the only one that understands the mechanics of these trucks(just read most of ur posts)
LIke i said just cant figure out why such a minimal impact with mod. I have been wheelin for twenty years and the montra accros the board is don't lock the hubs unless you have to, just less rolling mass and obvious less wear and tear(being just bearing resistance instead of dif, cv shaft, and fluid.
Sorry u felt compeled to single handedly respond(and complain about doing so) im more of a practical guy and like getting my hands dirty, and dont spend hours fine tuning my search skills...next time ill take a week and search every angle before asking for an exchange in dialogue.


Brad.

[jessef]

np

We've done a few group buys on manual hubs (L300/L400/Pajero/Montero - all the same) and people love them. Just to have the ability to lock/unlock when you want instead of when it wants to.

Aside from that, the driveline's on these Mitsu's are built specifically for this application with auto/flanges. That's the reason why there's no change in fuel economy. There isn't much drag, if any at all, on the driveline when in 2WD mode. I can't say that for certain but over the years, I haven't noticed any abnormal or quicker wear on cv's/u-joints,etc... and I've owned pretty much every flavour of Delica out there.

If you can get a good set of Aisin hubs, they are the best. Superwinch/AVM are 2nd.

[mac_stang]

thanks again!

[Jensen]

I don't know about the effect on my driveline, but I do know the effect on my shoes, pant cuffs and floor mats. None of that "manual hubs" nonsense for me, I'm stayin' dry and comfy. (Of course I could just send my wife out to turn them. Hmmm???)

[Mr. Flibble]

I don't know about the effect on my driveline, but I do know the effect on my shoes, pant cuffs and floor mats. None of that "manual hubs" nonsense for me, I'm stayin' dry and comfy. (Of course I could just send my wife out to turn them. Hmmm???)

I personally prefer manual hubs to auto. I got stuck out here in the desert in Arizona for a bit in soft sand in my 2WD rental car. I was not expecting to get stuck. If I had been in my 89 4Runner, I could have manually locked my hubs and driven away with ease. If I was in my L400 Royal, it would have been considerably more difficult as I would have to get the vehicle moving to get the front hubs locked! (Of course, my royal has LSD and probably would not have become stuck where the Kia did....)

So, one advantage to manual hubs is the ability to lock them AFTER you have become stuck. And, given that I prefer to drive in 2WD until I know I need 4WD I like the manual option. (Although, Jesse, when you put an L400 into AWD, does it not immediately engage the front without the need for the tires to roll? I can't remember.)

[Meanman]

let it not be forgotten that with manual hubs when you go out and lock 'em in; you know they are locked in as opposed to relying, hoping they are both locked in with manual hubs.
I just don't trust auto hubs so I always go with manual when I can.

[Adam]

What about driving around 90% of the time in 2wd with the hub locked, is that any issue for wear? I need 4wd to get to the top of my driveway every morning, but after that I'm in 2wd the rest of the day, but I don't getting out every morning and every evening to lock/unlock the hubs, should I switch to autohubs?

[konadog]

Leave em locked Adam - no extra wear worth concern IMO :)

[djelica]

If I was in my L400 Royal, it would have been considerably more difficult as I would have to get the vehicle moving to get the front hubs locked!

Is this correct? I was under the impression that the stock L400 hubs are locked "on" all the time. When I shift into 4 wheel drive I thought the front engagement was instantaneous.

Can anyone verify what is the truth.

Cheers, dj