Okay in our jeeps the front driveshaft is spinning even if the transfer case is in 2wd so what changes when it is shifted into 4wd the gear ratio and does something lock in. The reason for the question is just because i don't understand exactly how it works and i like to now how everything works. I know that if the driveshaft is turning the pinion is turning. So wouldn't the pinion be turning the gears which would cause the front end to be spinning all the time?
I know like the chevy ifs system everything is always turning in the front end and it as and electric acuator but with that system you can't have a front locker because you wouldn't be able to drive the thing on the road right. So what is the difference between the sytem in our jeeps and the chevy system?

 

I don't personally know, but it could be the wheels spinning the driveshaft and the front driveshaft is in neutral at the transfer case. Could be why we don't need manual locking hubs. Just an idea. I am sure someone will come along and educate us both.

 

The wheels/hubs are full time lock. So when the wheels spin it spins everything attached to them as in the front drive line. It comes down to the transfer case not having the 4x4 engaged and thus free wheels while in 2wd. When it 4wd the front drive side of the transfer case is engaged (via manual moving a lever and sliding the gear that engages the transfer case chain and front drive line) and then spins the rest of the drive line. It's very similar to a bike that free wheels backwards while moving forward but move the bike backwards and the free wheel is now locked and engaged, except t-case has full free wheel in 2wd.

Put lockout hubs on the front to disengage the wheels from the axles, and then the front driveline will no longer be forced to spin. Leave your hubs unlocked but put your transfer case in 4wd and your still in 4x2 because the front hubs are not locked into the axles.

As far as a locker in the front end, most have electronic or air activation so they can be unlocked on the street for safer handling and to turn on the trail. Full time lockers are not recommended on the street but have been run just fine as they take side force to unlock. There is nothing different in what you can do to any vehicle. You can put lockers in just about any axle vehicle combination. Seen many Chevy/Toys/Fords IFS with Air/electronic lockers in the front.

 

okay i feel like an idiot i understand now i just wasn't thinking, i appericate the help.

 

Nice first post, you've been a member for over two years ?

 

Thanks. Signed up when I got my Rubi and this site was nothing like it is today.

 

Simply put.....everything is turning no matter what. The difference is.........once the front end is engaged via the tf case, now there is actual power going to turn the front driveline as opposed to it just freewheeling.

One thing that always gets me, in this day in age, if you can push a lever and have instant 4 wheel drive, then why then can't they make it where you can push a lever or button and not have the whole front end turning in 2wd...??? It's silly to have the whole front end turning for no reason other than to have the damn thing wear out earlier.......maybe that "IS" their reasoning....

If I plan on keeping my JK forever, then I am seriously thinking about putting locking hubs back in the front end. It's of little inconvenience to me to see that I need 4wd and step out and lock a couple hubs, (It used to be the fun part of having a Jeep...."Let's get out and lock em' in"...!!!) But it will be a BIG inconvenience when the front end starts to wear out....

It's sad that people, have gone to such a place where they don't want to be "inconvenienced" in the slightest little way......But instead are willing to just throw $$$$$$ at it......IMHO.

 

From my experience with older 4x4's that had lock out hubs if you ran them long times and then just locked the hubs 'now and then' (logging trucks in mud,etc.) the diff fluid would get old and not work well sooner than if you run the 4x4 now and then (like running ya A/C in the winter to keep it lubbed). IMO you should turn the diff and change fluid at regular intervals, juss sayin'

 

I believe there is a safety issue rather than of convenience. Sure its not that hard to STOP, GET OUT, and LOCK the HUBS. In reality though its GET STUCK, get out and try to lock the hubs.
My point is that its so much easier and safer to reach down (while moving) and through it into 4wd so as to NOT get struck first.

My own experience was with a CJ-5 where I took to carrying a bottle jack so that I could raise one of the front tires before attempting to unlock the hub. I've had many days were I could not get the hub to engage or disengage without raising a tire. And I've slipped off into a ditch in 2wd and couldn't get the front hubs to lock in. (It took two people to lock in my Jeep - one to work the clutch while the other turned the hub-lock.) I am so happy to not have to lock in the hubs any more.

 

Hmmmm.......that's interesting. I NEVER had any problems with any of my Warn hubs. Don't get me wrong, it is nice to be able to go into 4wd on the fly, I just wish they could have designed the thing so everything isn't still moving (and wearing out) when in 2wd. That's pretty much all I'm getting at....