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manual hubs

Discussion in '1st Gen. Tacomas (1995-2004)' started by SRFIVE, Apr 22, 2008.

  1. Apr 22, 2008 at 4:51 AM
    #1
    SRFIVE

    SRFIVE [OP] Well-Known Member

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    I was thinking converting to manual (front) 4WD hubs will help gas mileage, since most of the time I am in 2WD. Prarsitic losses. Can you do that to these Tacomas?
     
  2. Apr 22, 2008 at 10:12 AM
    #2
    JimBeam

    JimBeam BECAUSE INTERNETS!! Moderator

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  3. Apr 22, 2008 at 7:01 PM
    #3
    concrete jedi

    concrete jedi Well-Known Member

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    Broken and scratched tailgate, cracked rear tail light lens, coffee stain in driver seat.
    I would look to Warn hubs, back in the day they were the ones to get.
     
  4. Apr 22, 2008 at 7:20 PM
    #4
    JimBeam

    JimBeam BECAUSE INTERNETS!! Moderator

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    from what i understand the aisin hubs werent awful

    buddy of mine just swapped his 03 prerunner dcab to 4x4 and did manual hubs
    100_3114_c4ddecd5a1e3ecf1436b6a28aad2eda8263f51a6.jpg
     
  5. Apr 24, 2008 at 7:28 PM
    #5
    bladez

    bladez Well-Known Member

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    Manual hubs won't affect your gas mileage. An unlocked manual hub is no different than an unlocked auto hub for gas mileage. Unlocked is unlocked, it doesn't save you gas by turning them by hand, lol!

    But I like the manual hubs because I know they are unlocked when I unlock them. They are just more dependable. And if you break a cv on the trail, you can unlock it and get out of there with manuals.
     
  6. Apr 25, 2008 at 1:58 PM
    #6
    SRFIVE

    SRFIVE [OP] Well-Known Member

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    LOL, unless my hubs are messed up, I think you are wrong. Typically an unlocked hub means your front axles, CV joints, gears, pinion gear bearings and front driveshaft and associated universals are not turning! Easy to check, put the truck in nuetral, 2WD, and roll the truck while watching your axles...on mine they move with wheel! BUT, if you had aftermarket (or even stock) manual hubs, that PHYSICALLY unlock the wheel from the axle...all that stuff that doesn't need to be rotating in 2WD, won't be. Hence getting rid of parasitic looses...now I do not know how much the losses are, kind of the point of this thread, but I think am going to more research and find out. IMO when talking MPG, every little bit helps.

    The "ADD" must be in the transfer case.
     
  7. Apr 25, 2008 at 3:39 PM
    #7
    bladez

    bladez Well-Known Member

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    When your ADD (auto hubs) are unlocked, the axles should not be "locked" to the hubs "if they are working properly". The axles (CVs) might happen to turn with the wheels with either type of hub but they are no necessarily "locked." The difference is that auto hubs disconnect/unlock automatically and manuals disconnect/unlock when you turn the switch by hand.

    I could be wrong, but this is the way I understand them. So if you have auto hubs, than you should be able to crawl under there and turn your CV with your hand if its in 2WD (with the tires on the ground). In other words, if the ADD system is working right, your CVs should be able to spin without the tires spinning.

    Can somebody else verify this?
     
  8. Apr 28, 2008 at 12:51 PM
    #8
    SRFIVE

    SRFIVE [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Expensive, but I think we found our answer:

    [​IMG]
    [​IMG] [​IMG][​IMG][​IMG][​IMG][​IMG][​IMG]
    So the dealer talked you into a new 4WD Toyota truck with ADD (automatic differential disconnect). Now you find yourself contending with performance loss, mileage loss, additional wear on your 4WD components (even in 2WD), and significant limitations on suspension travel and lift. Even worse, there’s no inexpensive way to install unlocking hubs on your ADD vehicle. Downey has taken a couple steps toward bringing down the price tag of converting from ADD to unlocking hubs:
    1. First, we established ties with the off-shore suppliers of the components needed for this conversion.
    2. Second, we assembled a bare-bones conversion kit, it does not include items from your present ADD system that can be reused with the manual hub system (i.e. you can reuse original axle shafts and wheel bearings.
    Now your 1996-newer TOYOTA truck can accommodate up to 31/2” of suspension lift with virtually no CV joint buzz at freeway speeds, and you’ll get better mileage to boot! [​IMG][​IMG][​IMG]
    43502.....‘96-04 Tacoma/Tundra/Sequoia Kit without Locking Hubs......$633.95​
     
  9. Apr 28, 2008 at 2:01 PM
    #9
    bladez

    bladez Well-Known Member

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    :eek: -sorry for the mis-information!
    It looks like you were on the right track. Its too bad its so expensive. For that price, i would be checking with the scrap yard for a full front end. Good luck with it!
     
  10. Apr 17, 2010 at 6:09 PM
    #10
    marchinski

    marchinski New Member

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    yes, wrong about it not working, i did switch mine out, 4 miles per gallon better? don't try to tell me it does not work!
     
  11. Sep 29, 2010 at 9:52 PM
    #11
    newskooler

    newskooler Well-Known Member

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    what did you have to do to replace the autos with manual hubs? just replace the hub or was it more indepth?
     
  12. Sep 29, 2010 at 11:24 PM
    #12
    sachou

    sachou Well-Known Member

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    Possible? Yes.
    Common swap? Yes.
    Save gas mileage? Not really.

    Get some lighter rims and/or smaller/lighter tires. Even then you won't see too much improvement.

    Most people swap for offroad advantages.
     
  13. Sep 30, 2010 at 3:24 AM
    #13
    Leadgolem

    Leadgolem Well-Known Member

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  14. Sep 30, 2010 at 8:56 AM
    #14
    newskooler

    newskooler Well-Known Member

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  15. Sep 30, 2010 at 11:46 AM
    #15
    David K

    David K Well-Known Member

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    Auto locking hubs are not the same as an auto differential disconnect, but in the end they both free up unnecessary drive line wear... compared to no hub/ no disconnect 4WD rigs (like Willys Jeeps). Your Tacoma has ADD, do you? If so, pay attention... adding manual hubs doesn't improve anything over the ADD, other than costing you money (and that is what you wanted to save in gas mileage, right?).

    Auto locking hubs required the vehicle to drive in reverse to complete the un-lock process... an ADD allows shift on the fly (into and out of 4WD) without backing up.

    Either the hub disconnected or the axle disconnected at the differential frees up the driveline drag between the front wheels and the transfer case.
     
  16. Sep 30, 2010 at 12:40 PM
    #16
    David K

    David K Well-Known Member

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    Is the cost of installing manual hubs going to be less than any (if any) fuel savings over the ADD savings?
     
  17. Sep 30, 2010 at 12:46 PM
    #17
    steve o 77

    steve o 77 braaap

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    I can't believe no one suggested this!

    Go to a junkyard and grab the spindles/CV's off a '96-'00 tacoma that has factory manual hubs and swap them out. Do a search on TTORA to find more info than you'll ever need.
     
  18. Sep 30, 2010 at 12:52 PM
    #18
    98tacoma27

    98tacoma27 is going full "SANDWICH" Moderator

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    Some stuff. Not a lot, just some.
    Actually the reasoning was for having LSDs installed upfront.
     
  19. Sep 30, 2010 at 12:55 PM
    #19
    98tacoma27

    98tacoma27 is going full "SANDWICH" Moderator

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    Some stuff. Not a lot, just some.
    Agreed.
     
  20. Oct 3, 2010 at 9:15 AM
    #20
    David K

    David K Well-Known Member

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