willysmjeeps.com

I have read that there is (was?) a version of the front wheel drive plates that were machined so that they free-wheeled - in other words, they did not turn the front wheel drive parts. This would prohibit use of 4 wheel drive, of course, but would allow more efficient 2wd and less wear on the front axle rotating assembly.

Anybody know where I can get my hands on a pair of these, or know how these can be machined (do they need a bronze bushing?) from a pair of regular drive plates?

My goal is to use 2wd most of the time but still maintain the stock look (in other words, to not use lockout hubs).

They were a military thing and come up occasionally on Ebay and flea markets.

You can take a stock set of hub plates, machine them out to take a brass or bronze bushing or bearing sized to match the front axle shaft diameter.





TB ORD 570 details the installation on all Army 1/4 ton jeeps. It list thie kit as "Flange, w/bearing, nondriving (1/4 ton trucks) ORD PN 8327042 ORD Stk # G740-8327024.

Why no just put a set of lockout hubs on the front, then you can change at a moments notice...

I did and boy saves the front end and lots of time...

I guess I could but I really want to keep the stock look.

There are several photos of these free wheeling hubs for M38's in my photo gallery on this site. First page of gallery, under Gary Keating.

I have both SuperWinch hubs in stock as well as original drive flanges with no splines and a bushing installed. Not quite the same as the picture previous, but same function and the original look.
John
www.midwestmil.com