2nd GEN Manual locking hubs

Does anyone know of anybody making kits, or conversions for manual locking hubs to oem parts on 2nd gen tacomas ?

 

Here you go. Not sure if he’s still making them or not. There’s been positive and negative feedback on the kit, reading the posts. https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/free-wheel-manual-hubs-conversion-kit.511528/

 

Thank you for the information. Much appreciated vssman!

 

is this even worth the cost for probably 1mpg better and getting one week longer out of CV boots?

from what I understand, stock hubs mean you can engage 4x4 on the fly

manual means having to pull over, stop, get out, turn them by hand

 

Manual hubs are "supposedly" more dependable. I've owned a 4X4 since 1976; most of the early ones had manual locking hubs, most of the newer ones did not.

I've had both types fail when I didn't engage 4X4 for extended periods of time. Even the manual hubs will fail to engage if you don't use them regularly and keep everything lubricated. The only times I've ever had automatic hubs fail was for the same reason.

Engage the truck in 4X4 and drive it a short distance every month if possible and never go longer than 2-3 months without doing so and you won't have any issues with either type. I have better things to spend $1000 on than manual locking hubs.

Back in the day if there was zero chance you'd be using 4X4 we left the hubs unlocked. If there was even a 1% chance we would need 4X4 we locked the hubs before pulling out of the driveway. That way it was simple to just pull the lever and shift from 4X2 to 4X4 and back as needed without having to get out every time. It doesn't hurt to drive on pavement with the hubs locked as long as you don't shift into 4X4 with them locked.

You do have driveline components turning and it might hurt fuel mileage some and doing it for tens of thousands of miles might lead to parts wearing out sooner, but this was only done for short distances.

Instead of calling them "locking" hubs the term "unlocking" is more accurate. Early 4X4's didn't have them at all. The hubs stayed locked all the time and you simply shifted from the drivers seat. Being able to unlock the hubs came about after WW-2 when lots of surplus Jeeps and other 4X4's were sold.

 

Please excuse my ignorance with the 2nd gen Tacoma hubs. My xrunner isn't 4x4.

I had an 87 4 runner many years ago with auto hubs that would try to enngage/disengage first drive when cold. As I recall when I converted to manual locking hubs (Warn) it was simply the 6 Allen bolts and swap. That was 25 years ago, so...

I'm interested also because my son has a 6 speed 08 Tacoma 4x4. He's looking into the auto to manual 2/4 wd high/low conversion as he's had the typical 4wd engagement issues in the transmission itself.

According to my quick scan of the link provided on manual hub conversion (post #2), it seems to be a bit involved? Are gen2 front axles solid axle full time?

 

I understand locking hubs, it's ridiculous to have cv shafts spinning at all times. The sound ar 60mph is annoying. Have change out cv shafts,drive shaft,universal joints,and needle bearing to sleeve. I have a 2000 tacoma I have done this with , but the front configuration is different on a gen2. Bushing spindle and hub.

 

I have had both. I prefer the auto locking hubs in the taco. Simple, no need to get out in the ick, or traffic to engage.
I’ve had manuals freeze in the cold, where I forgot to lock them before parking for the night before a snow storm.
Auto is just better imo for this truck. mom my old 90s ford, I swapped to manual because the “autos” were a pain, and you’d have to go back and forth until they bit and locked.

Ymmv, but I’ll pay to keep stock. They know what they’re doing. It’s great just moving the switch and being ready to go.

 

I have sourced 95 percent of the parts I will see if I can make it work on the 2013 tacoma this weekend. no risk no glory

 

How'd it go?

 

I don't understand the point in this

 

Everything seems to go together except cv end joint to wheel assembly. Looks like modify dust caps or machine the end joint to mate with the 2nd gen wheel bearing. Still working on it.

 

Maybe newer sutomatic hubs have the bugs worked out over the older stuff? But reliability can be crucial. I'm suew Toyota grinned when the cost cutting auto hubs became popular.

Ive experianced an auto hub ranger popping out in reverse when heavily needed. (when still new in 89). Randomly when cold my 87 4runner would lock/unlock, slamming in and out violently.

If you're over 30, you probably saw the pride taken over the number of levers on the floor. Todays Barbie jeep has lost all but a squirt of testosterone.

 

My 92 and 95 4runner had manual hubs and always felt they were a pain in the ass. I'd never want to go back. I don't see how the "auto" hubs on these newer trucks would cause 4x4 failures/issues. The electronics on the other hand yes. I deleted all the electronics in the 4wd system of my current yota minus the factory elocker. That I can agree with and makes sense.

 

Tired of hear loud noise of cv axles turning at 60mph. Have no issues with 2015 tundra or my 2010 fj cruiser.

 

You've found the cv's to be the culprit of the noise? Your fj and tacoma use the same axles and hubs.

 

Tires and regular ol road noise are louder than CVs. By a lot...

 

Yes,only at 60 mph. All universal joints replaced, new balanced driveshaft, replaced needle bearing in front diff. New tacoma cv axles and koyo bearing replaced. Cvaxles on fj look the same as tacoma and spindles. I have not compared them.

 

I was telling you they're the same. What tires are you running?

 

Running yokahama mt geolander s. Have same tire on my fj.