To Hub Or Not To Hub?

I've got a totally stock 58 without locking hubs on the front. So being stock, 45-50 max, no crawling, etc. probably not flat towing and just running around mountain town and some forest roads for now. Looking at retiring to Durango area in 3ish years so maybe flat tow to some at most moderate trails or maybe just drive to them. Not sure. I understand the real reason for locking hubs is to remove wear, etc on the front axels, diff, etc. They are not that expensive, but do I really need to do it, warrant it at this stage?

 

If you were flat towing you would want to pull the rear driveshaft anyway if you just had hubs up front, not much more work to pop the front one too if you dont have hubs, or put locking hubs on the front and back with a full floating setup. I would love to do the second option but its $$$.

 

You can easily flat tow it just how it is. Transfer case in neutral and transmission in gear. This is one of those topics that has been discussed here more times then knuckle pudding. You could read 100s of threads covering it. I always recommend moving anything on a trailer but many claim to have had a uncle that flat towed a Jeep for centuries without ever having any problems.

 

you kind of answered your own question . free wheeling hubs stop all that rotating mass up front . instead of pushing it all around when only in 2WD

 

Anytime is a good time for locking hubs. Nobody is going to fault you for not being original. You will notice a difference especially with a 4cyl

 

Yep, lockout hubs all the way.

 

You don't need locking hubs ... definitely in the nice-to-have category. Prior to 1974, no Jeep came from the factory with them.

 

Yes. Flanges only from the factory. 100% aftermarket until 1974. I believe they could be ordered through the parts network, but they were always dealer installed at point of sale, or owner installed.

When I bought my '73, it came with the Warn hubs box in the back, with the flanges inside. The only accessories I bought were a soft top (Kayline), grab bar, roll bar and Warn locking hubs.

 

Yep. No need to remove driveshafts.

In theory, the front lockout hubs should both free up a little power and reduce wear. And perhaps a little less noise also. I've always used them but not sure you can actually tell the difference. But an early set of those fluted Warn's look pretty nice.

 

My experience....most Jeeps (or any other 4x4 for that matter) have a little bit of play in the front driveshaft slip joint. In 2wd this will give you vibration if the hubs are locked in...or if you have no hubs.

Now, about this retirement in Durango....are you looking to adopt a 50 year old and a 12 year old?

 

I've forgotten to unlock the hubs several times on the 3B. Couldn't tell the difference until I went to lock them in again. Darn dial wouldn't turn in the right direction

OTH, I forgot to shift out of 4WD and pulled out on the highway, once. Noticed that almost immediately. Had to drive backwards onto the shoulder to get it out of a bind

 

In actuality having locking hubs on a Dana 25 or 27 in most applications will do far more harm then good. The housing is designed to use the rotating axle shaft to throw grease up to the top bearing. With locking hubs most original Jeeps will go years without being locked in and wear out the upper bearings. Just something to think about or actually take a spin once in a while with those hubs locked in.

 

Notice a difference in what way? Better gas mileage, faster to get to speed, what? I did not think about this possible angle.

 

Glen, So like what time frame, how do I tell if original style vs not? I kind of like this approach.

 

Sorry, done did our tour of duty raising 3 and still have son/daughter-in-law/grandson (namesake so he's ok)/granddaughter due in June living on the property here now so no adopting. But we are looking at larger acreage so may do a Willys summer get together at some point.

 

So I went out and looked at the 55 wagon which is waiting to get running and it did have Warn hubs. What era would y'all guess these are from?