locked hubs on freeway? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

72chevyk10 · 11-15-2010, 04:45 PM

as you know, the bad weather season is coming. im wondering if its ok to keep the hubs locked with the x-fer case in 2wd while going 60mph? (info is for truck in sig.) will it hurt anything doing this? axle bearings, u joints, etc.?

Blazer1970 · 11-15-2010, 05:17 PM

No, it wont hurt a thing. If you really have a 203 t-case, you shouldn't even have lockouts.

Thealien · 11-15-2010, 05:19 PM

On all my older manual hub vehicles that were daily drivers I used to lock the hubs at the beginning of winter and unlocked them in the spring. You could possibly wear some parts faster? I always kept my stuff maintaned and never had a problem. Someone else may have a different opinion?

72chevyk10 · 11-15-2010, 05:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blazer1970

No, it wont hurt a thing. If you really have a 203 t-case, you shouldn't even have lockouts.

as far as i know its a 203. and it doesnt engage unless the stick is in 4wd..

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thealien

On all my older manual hub vehicles that were daily drivers I used to lock the hubs at the beginning of winter and unlocked them in the spring. You could possibly wear some parts faster? I always kept my stuff maintaned and never had a problem. Someone else may have a different opinion?

ok thats good to know. im pretty good at keeping the ol' truck maintained

**Dieselwrencher** · 11-15-2010, 05:22 PM

The only thing it will hurt is fuel mileage. If you have a NP203, hopefully someone has installed the part time kit in it so your drive line doesn't spin with the hubs unlocked. Since you plan on running the lock outs locked in, just double check all of your fluids to make sure they are full and not full of debris, or really old. You also might give your u-joints a once over to make sure there aren't any loose ones or anything strange. With the lock outs locked in during normal driving every day, you could start to see wear in these items fast because they aren't used to be turning a lot every day. Not really a big deal. Some of the newer trucks front drive lines are turning all the time, Dodges mainly 02 and up.

72chevyk10 · 11-15-2010, 05:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dieselwrencher

The only thing it will hurt is fuel mileage. If you have a NP203, hopefully someone has installed the part time kit in it so your drive line doesn't spin with the hubs unlocked. Since you plan on running the lock outs locked in, just double check all of your fluids to make sure they are full and not full of debris, or really old. You also might give your u-joints a once over to make sure there aren't any loose ones or anything strange. With the lock outs locked in during normal driving every day, you could start to see wear in these items fast because they aren't used to be turning a lot every day. Not really a big deal. Some of the newer trucks front drive lines are turning all the time, Dodges mainly 02 and up.

good to know. yea last year i had to replace a couple of the front driveshaft u joints. the rest of them seemed good and tight. ill check all of them again though

Mike C · 11-15-2010, 07:35 PM

The original T-case in a '72 would be a 205. But running with the hubs locked and the shifter in 2 hi shouldn't be a problem. My Jimmy cratered the rearend nearly 30 years ago, and my dad drove it in front wheel drive for at least 6 months. Just pulled the driveshaft and kept on going until he had a replacement.

LONGHAIR · 11-15-2010, 08:07 PM

Your signature says Dana44 frt "factory locker".....I find that very hard to believe, especially with a 12 bolt and a clutch-type Posi in the rear.
What kind of differential is really in there?
If it really does have a true "Locker", as in Detroit (No-Spin), I would not run it with the hubs locked in in the road.
Buy running it w/o power coming to the gears from the driveshaft, it will "annoy the heck out of it". It would be clunking back and forth constantly. Every turn of the steering wheel would have it disengauging from one side to the other.

swamp rat · 11-15-2010, 10:03 PM

I agree with MikeC, My 72 has a NP205,

This is a pic of the NP205, look at the small plate in the center with the 3 bolts in it, the 203 is different, just crawl under and have a look.
http://media.photobucket.com/image/n...luck75/238.jpg

NP203:
http://www.hotrodders.com/forum/atta...?postid=297530

72chevyk10 · 11-15-2010, 10:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LONGHAIR

Your signature says Dana44 frt "factory locker".....I find that very hard to believe, especially with a 12 bolt and a clutch-type Posi in the rear.
What kind of differential is really in there?
If it really does have a true "Locker", as in Detroit (No-Spin), I would not run it with the hubs locked in in the road.
Buy running it w/o power coming to the gears from the driveshaft, it will "annoy the heck out of it". It would be clunking back and forth constantly. Every turn of the steering wheel would have it disengauging from one side to the other.

yea. i made the sig a while ago.. and have since figured out its not a locker. its just a lockout. i forgot about that

sorry bout the confusion.

**special-K** · 11-15-2010, 10:43 PM

GM didn't put lockers in fronts of 4wds,or rears of 1/2s at all.We need accurate into to answer the question.It doesn't hurt to leave hubs locked in if it isn't a locker.People only run lockers in the front of off road only rigs.And,even then,most don't.

CG · 11-16-2010, 01:42 AM

I had no idea it was OK to run like this. Even though Ive had 4X4 Chevy trucks for at least the last 15 years I really don't know much about how the drive train works.

I'm not an avid four wheeler, I just like the extra pull when I need it. Definitely gotten me out of a jam more than once.

**special-K** · 11-16-2010, 08:52 AM

The original design for this type of 4wd was always locked in.Hubs to disengage for free wheeling were an after thought first made by the aftermarket.That's why they are called lock out hubs (or at least were for a few decades).There are listed as an option.U-joints,dbl cardons,and hubs wear out from lack of use...lube isn't spread around.

CG · 11-16-2010, 01:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by special-K

The original design for this type of 4wd was always locked in.Hubs to disengage for free wheeling were an after thought first made by the aftermarket.That's why they are called lock out hubs (or at least were for a few decades).There are listed as an option.U-joints,dbl cardons,and hubs wear out from lack of use...lube isn't spread around.

Interesting stuff to know thanks. I figured worst case scenario I have a complete extra set of NOS hub assembly's for my 71 K20 that I never used just in case I end up forking stuff up lol.

nickp51chevy · 11-16-2010, 08:46 PM

this is good to know I was thinking about this a while ago. I didn't want to have to get in and out to lock and unlock my hubs. Thanks for all the info.

11-15-2010, 05:17 PM	#2
Blazer1970 Registered User Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Old Mission, MI, USA Posts: 2,510	Re: locked hubs on freeway? No, it wont hurt a thing. If you really have a 203 t-case, you shouldn't even have lockouts. __________________ Tim

11-15-2010, 05:19 PM	#3
Thealien Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Pine Ridge Florida Posts: 4,120	Re: locked hubs on freeway? On all my older manual hub vehicles that were daily drivers I used to lock the hubs at the beginning of winter and unlocked them in the spring. You could possibly wear some parts faster? I always kept my stuff maintaned and never had a problem. Someone else may have a different opinion? __________________ Click on my Not really a build thread, yet NOT SO RUST FREE RUST FREE BLAZER LS ENGINE SWAP INFORMATION THREAD BOLT RESTORATIONS 4l60 to an NP205

11-15-2010, 05:22 PM	#5
Dieselwrencher 6>8 Plugless........ Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Prairie City, Ia Posts: 17,141	Re: locked hubs on freeway? The only thing it will hurt is fuel mileage. If you have a NP203, hopefully someone has installed the part time kit in it so your drive line doesn't spin with the hubs unlocked. Since you plan on running the lock outs locked in, just double check all of your fluids to make sure they are full and not full of debris, or really old. You also might give your u-joints a once over to make sure there aren't any loose ones or anything strange. With the lock outs locked in during normal driving every day, you could start to see wear in these items fast because they aren't used to be turning a lot every day. Not really a big deal. Some of the newer trucks front drive lines are turning all the time, Dodges mainly 02 and up. __________________ Ryan 1972 Chevy Longhorn K30 Cheyenne Super, 359 Inline 6 cylinder, Auto Trans, Tilt, Diesel Tach/Vach, Buckets, Rare Rear 4-link and air ride option Build Thread 1972 GMC Sierra Grande Longhorn 4x4 1972 Chevy Cheyenne Super K20 Long Step side tilt, tach, tow hooks, AC, 350 4 speed 1972 C10 Suburban Custom Deluxe 1969 Chevy milk truck 1971 Camaro RS 5.3 BTR STG3 Cam Super T10 1940 Ford 354 Hemi 46RH Ford 9" on air ride huge project *Tired of spark plugs? Check this out.*

11-15-2010, 07:35 PM	#7
Mike C Registered User Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Austin, TX, USA Posts: 7,714	Re: locked hubs on freeway? The original T-case in a '72 would be a 205. But running with the hubs locked and the shifter in 2 hi shouldn't be a problem. My Jimmy cratered the rearend nearly 30 years ago, and my dad drove it in front wheel drive for at least 6 months. Just pulled the driveshaft and kept on going until he had a replacement. __________________ 44 Willys MB 52 M38A1 64 Corvette Coupe 68 Camaro 'vert LT1 & TH700 69 Z/28 355 12.6's @110 69 Chevy Short Step 4 1/2"/7" drop 72 Jimmy 4WD 4spd 4" & 35's 02 GMC 2500HD 4x4 Duramax

11-15-2010, 10:03 PM	#9
swamp rat Registered User Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Spanaway Posts: 8,451	Re: locked hubs on freeway? I agree with MikeC, My 72 has a NP205, This is a pic of the NP205, look at the small plate in the center with the 3 bolts in it, the 203 is different, just crawl under and have a look. http://media.photobucket.com/image/n...luck75/238.jpg NP203: http://www.hotrodders.com/forum/atta...?postid=297530 __________________ Mike. Swamp Rat build thread : http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=595019 72 3/4T 4X4 4" BDS Lift 33" BFG's

11-15-2010, 10:43 PM	#11
special-K Special Order Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mt Airy, MD Posts: 85,863	Re: locked hubs on freeway? GM didn't put lockers in fronts of 4wds,or rears of 1/2s at all.We need accurate into to answer the question.It doesn't hurt to leave hubs locked in if it isn't a locker.People only run lockers in the front of off road only rigs.And,even then,most don't. __________________ "BUILDING A BETTER WAY TO SERVE THE USA"......67/72......"The New Breed" GMC '67 C1500 Wideside Super Custom SWB: 327/M22/3.42 posi.........."The '67" (project) GMC '72 K2500 Wideside Sierra Custom Camper: 350/TH350/4.10 Power-Lok..."The '72" (rolling) Tim "Don't call me a redneck. I'm a rough cut country gentleman" R.I.P. ~ East Side Low Life ~ El Jay ~ 72BLUZ ~ Fasteddie69 ~ Ron586 ~ 67ChevyRedneck ~ Grumpy Old Man ~

11-16-2010, 01:42 AM	#12
CG BlahBlahBlah Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Wa. Posts: 19,789	Re: locked hubs on freeway? I had no idea it was OK to run like this. Even though Ive had 4X4 Chevy trucks for at least the last 15 years I really don't know much about how the drive train works. I'm not an avid four wheeler, I just like the extra pull when I need it. Definitely gotten me out of a jam more than once. __________________ … … … … … … … … ... … … … … … … … … … … …

11-16-2010, 08:52 AM	#13
special-K Special Order Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mt Airy, MD Posts: 85,863	Re: locked hubs on freeway? The original design for this type of 4wd was always locked in.Hubs to disengage for free wheeling were an after thought first made by the aftermarket.That's why they are called lock out hubs (or at least were for a few decades).There are listed as an option.U-joints,dbl cardons,and hubs wear out from lack of use...lube isn't spread around. __________________ "BUILDING A BETTER WAY TO SERVE THE USA"......67/72......"The New Breed" GMC '67 C1500 Wideside Super Custom SWB: 327/M22/3.42 posi.........."The '67" (project) GMC '72 K2500 Wideside Sierra Custom Camper: 350/TH350/4.10 Power-Lok..."The '72" (rolling) Tim "Don't call me a redneck. I'm a rough cut country gentleman" R.I.P. ~ East Side Low Life ~ El Jay ~ 72BLUZ ~ Fasteddie69 ~ Ron586 ~ 67ChevyRedneck ~ Grumpy Old Man ~ Last edited by special-K; 11-16-2010 at 08:54 AM.

11-16-2010, 08:46 PM	#15
nickp51chevy Registered Chevy Owner Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Snohomish, wa Posts: 1,557	Re: locked hubs on freeway? this is good to know I was thinking about this a while ago. I didn't want to have to get in and out to lock and unlock my hubs. Thanks for all the info. __________________ Love is fleeting, but Chevy trucks are forever!!!! 1970 Chevy CST C10 long box 350/400 2008 Chevy Silverado short box 4x4 Had; 1951 Chevy short box 307/T5 1988 Chevy shot box 4x4 350/350 1971 Chevy C10 long box 4x4 350/350 1971 Chevy C20 long box 350/350 1971 Chevy C10 long box 350/350



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