Free Wheeling Hubs

Submitted: Thursday, May 25, 2006 at 10:35
ThreadID: 34244 Views:2030 Replies:5 FollowUps:3
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Hi all, I have for some time thought about putting free wheeling hubs on my 1994 80 series cruiser and due to the price of deisel I'm thinking even harder, (and no sly remarks about me possible blowing a brain cell). Anyways I know all about how hubs work wear and tear maintenance etc etc. But what I'm asking for is, is there any one out there that has gone from full time hubs to part time hubs on a early / mid mod 80 series 1HZ deisel and have worked out the gain if any in economy. Secondly if any one with other vehicles have done the same, if they could respond as well, that would be great, as i was unable to find anything in the archives on actuall fuel savings if any acheived by doing this modification.
Many thanks in advance
Steve West.
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Reply By: Member - Scooby (WA) - Thursday, May 25, 2006 at 13:04

Thursday, May 25, 2006 at 13:04
Hi Steve,
I have done it with an SR5 Hilux that has the ADD system (not constant 4WD). My thinking was the free wheeling hubs will stop the front drive shafts turning in 2WD thereby saving wear and tear on the CV's and rubber boots. Can't say I have noticed any fuel savings though.
Regards
Scooby
AnswerID: 174675

Reply By: Scoey (QLD) - Thursday, May 25, 2006 at 14:16

Thursday, May 25, 2006 at 14:16
Hi Steve,

I think I remember a post similar to this a little while ago or it may have been on LCOOL but basically the guts of it all was that every man and his dog had thier own theory on the matter. I have thought about doing it on my '94 80 Series Petrol but dismissed as I didn't see any real benefit.

My theory, FWIW, is that the same donk still has to push the same weight around so regardless of whether four or two wheels are doing the pushing any difference would be negligible and would probably come down to one of the 1000's of variables! Like I said, just my 2c but and I have no evidence to back this up. Good luck with your choice!

Cheers
Scoey!
AnswerID: 174692

Reply By: robak (QLD) - Thursday, May 25, 2006 at 15:14

Thursday, May 25, 2006 at 15:14
If you had to push your car, would you prefer to push it with one hand or two?
AnswerID: 174699

Follow Up By: Scoey (QLD) - Thursday, May 25, 2006 at 15:43

Thursday, May 25, 2006 at 15:43
It would still require the same amount of energy to move the car regardless of whether you used one or two hands but the analogy is slightly flawed anyway. In a car, all the energy comes from one point (the engine), in the human body some of the energy would be used in your legs, some in your core, some in your arms etc etc, so not really the same.

Scoey
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FollowupID: 430744

Follow Up By: robak (QLD) - Friday, May 26, 2006 at 09:25

Friday, May 26, 2006 at 09:25
Possibly true. The point I was trying to make is that if your engine produces say, 150 kw of power and you spread that over two axles (4WD), then each axle only has to put up with 75 kw. So less strain.

If you drive by one axle only (2wd), that axle, and associated components have to suffer the full 150 kw.

That's why I think people who want FW hubs AND convert to 2WD to "save" the front diff might have to replace the back diff a lot more.

Just something to think about.

R
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FollowupID: 430920

Follow Up By: Scoey (QLD) - Friday, May 26, 2006 at 11:04

Friday, May 26, 2006 at 11:04
Yep I agree. I was talking simply on economy. That was the reason I kept my rig Fulltime 4WD - it was designed and worked well as full time so why change?

My point was basically that to convert to part time based soley on an expected economy saving would probably be not worth it.

Cheers
Scoey.
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FollowupID: 430944

Reply By: Member - DOZER- Thursday, May 25, 2006 at 20:36

Thursday, May 25, 2006 at 20:36
Hi
My 94 80 series has had free wheeling hubs for a while...economy is 5% better, car is less stable on dirt, especially the loose stuff on the sides of corners that used to pull you off the road....60 series hubs fit....and part time transfers from dx's fit also....or there is the $600 Marks 4wd kit...
Andrew
AnswerID: 174754

Reply By: HJ60-2H - Thursday, May 25, 2006 at 21:46

Thursday, May 25, 2006 at 21:46
At a mine site a few years back we delibrately ran some exploration vehilces with FW hubs and some with out for the life of the vehilcles ( 2 years). There was no reportable difference in reliability, fuel consumption etc.

So the practical experience is there is no difference. Many will however talk theroy with authority.
AnswerID: 174776

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