Locking Hubs for 2016 Tacoma?

I have had a number of Toyota trucks and 4x4s over the last 30 years and they can't be beaten (1979 long bed 4x4 truck - 242,000 miles, 1987 4Runner 215,000, 1993 4Runner - Lease who cares, 1998 4Runner - Lease who cares and newly ordered 2016 Tacoma TRD Off-Road - haven't gotten it yet)...Some of the trucks allowed me to put locking hubs on them (or had them already), but that was only the manual transmissions. The mechanical information for the Tacoma states that the truck with the 6 speed auto-trans is "Part-Time" 4x4...wondering if putting locking hubs might squeeze another 2 to 3 miles per gallon out of the truck. I have seen many companies sell the hubs, but does anyone know if it has the potential of causing any future mechanical failure? All comment and ideas accepted...

 

Just look at the mpg ratings for the 2wd models. You wouldn't do better than that.

 

+ =

 

Good point...didn't look at it that way...I guess it would reduce wear on the front axle assembly if it was not turning all the time...just a thought...

 

Rock Lob...that is not completely true...at the CARID site they list Mile Marker manually locking hubs for the 2016 Tacoma at this time...http://www.carid.com/2016-toyota-tacoma-4wd-actuators/

Just as a point of interest...that is where I got the idea from...

 

I was not looking at the "Hub Conversion Kit by Mile Marker"...I was looking at:

Mile Marker®Manual Locking Hub

# 55404741

Toyota Tacoma 2016, Manual Locking Hub by Mile Marker®. 26 Spline. Replace worn four-wheel-drive wheel hubs with adjustable, locking ones from Mile Marker. All components are made from reinforced, heat-treated steel for superior...Set of one locking hubs Replaces original equipment automatic or manually-locking



Which should allow the axle to not turn when the wheels are turning as this hub disconnects the hub from the axle...reducing the wear on the differential, transfer case front drive shaft and the transfer case when not in four wheel drive...I did this to my 1973 Chev Blazer with part time 4 wheel drive (It had a system similar to the Tacoma which kept the front end always turning, but no power to it when it was in 2 wheel drive)...it increased my gas mileage and reduced the wear on the running gear in the front and transfer case.

 

This is first gen manual hub, unless new truck uses the same 26 spline design means it's not going to work.

 

I just don't understand. There are 2nd Gen 4X4 Tacomas on this site with over 300,000 miles on them with no wear and tear issues related to the existing front differential/hub design. What exactly are you looking to improve upon?

 

He is looking to get more MPG out of the Taco is all.

Given the designs on these systems, the way they operate, and the availability of parts to make them a true manual 4WD (a lack thereof) manual hubs on a 2nd and 3rd gen will never come to fruition, unless you are talking big $$$ for custom one off designs.

 

Link is for a '95 Tacoma. 2nd gen and beyond won't work with manual hubs, I'm not going into a long explanation since I'm on a tablet, but a simple search of the site will tell you this repeatedly. 2nd and 3rd gen use the same 4WD system. CarID is simply mistaken.

Fuel economy. It won't work with 2nd and 3rd gen Tacomas (not without a complete redesign of the front drive system), but free hubs + a traditional transfer case means considerably less parasitic drag from the front wheels when operating in 2WD.