pro's and con's

circleburner12 · Post by **circleburner12** » Mon Apr 01, 2013 4:49 pm

of installing free wheeling hubs?. it's something i'd been thinking about for a couple of weeks now. what i understand it's easier on the front end of your m.v.

i contacted a person about these hubs several months ago and for the sake of me cant remember who. if this person is looking please send me a pm. im looking for a set. thxs

jimm · Post by **jimm** » Mon Apr 01, 2013 5:21 pm

Pros: none of the front axle parts are turning when you are driving in 2W HIGH, so less wear and tear on CV joints, differential and U-joints, and better gas mileage (though I don't know if that is even measurable or matters from a practical point)

Con: non-originality is visible, and you have to get out of the vehicle to lock or unlock the hubs

My favorite of the designs I have seen is the Selectro brand: very easy to grasp to turn and no fiddly bits to get clogged up with mud. There are at least several members of this group that have them installed. The company is still around but they don't make the model that fits our old jeeps anymore, but you might be able to find some used.

BullRun · Post by **BullRun** » Tue Apr 02, 2013 6:53 pm

I have a CJ 3A front axle with original era freewheeling hubs for sale.... good condition too... unfortunately the axle goes with them.

wilfreeman · Post by **wilfreeman** » Tue Apr 02, 2013 8:09 pm

Yeah, supposedly you get better gas mileage - mine sux whether they are engaged or not. Less wear and tear. Better turning radius. More power (because the front gears aren't turning).

You can still get parts for the Selectro brand - they sent me new O-rings for mine because I couldn't find them around here. Mile Marker bought them out(?).

I forgot to engage mine a couple of times - good thing I wasn't in the mud! I've had mine since I bought the Jeep - actually thought about going back stock, but I'm not showing her so I guess I'll keep her the way she is!

They don't look too bad when they are painted OD:

jimm · Post by **jimm** » Wed Apr 03, 2013 3:14 pm

wilfreeman wrote: They don't look too bad when they are painted OD:

My thoughts exactly, but of course that depends on who's looking at them. For a driver, jez fine . . .

RICKG · Post by **RICKG** » Wed Apr 03, 2013 3:34 pm

I like 'em for all the above reasons. My M-38 is a driver too..
I refurbished a set of vintage Allstate lockers a while back..

Heres the refurbish topic..
http://willysmjeeps.com/v2/modules.php? ... pic&t=7629

circleburner12 · Post by **circleburner12** » Wed Apr 03, 2013 7:12 pm

sorry guys, I meant to ask about the clary flanges.

Post by **wesk** » Wed Apr 03, 2013 9:26 pm

They offer just about the same benefits. Difference is to switch between 2WD and 4WD requires wrenching the bolts off and swapping the hub ends each time.

wilfreeman · Post by **wilfreeman** » Thu Apr 04, 2013 6:51 am

Those look kindof pointless, but I guess it accomplishes the same thing - you definitely have to think ahead with them though! You could do the same thing with a spare set of stock flanges with the teeth machined (ground) off too.

circleburner12 · Post by **circleburner12** » Sun Apr 14, 2013 4:21 pm

matt, have you had some originals flanges machine? do you machine them for the same bearing as the clary flanges?.

i dont use my jeep as a daily driver and probably dont forsee doing any major 4 wheel driving. just got to thinking about less wear and tear on the front in. thxs

Post by **wesk** » Sun Apr 14, 2013 4:32 pm

The first Warn hubs in the late 40's for the jeep worked the same way. Jeep front drive hubs were ground smooth in the early 40's for jeeps used in military ceremonies and parades. It's an old grampa thing that gets rediscovered every 30 years or so.

skyjeep50 · Post by **skyjeep50** » Sun Apr 14, 2013 9:12 pm

Another advantage of front lockout hubs - low range 2WD for parade duty or where you need a very low creeping speed but are on hard surfaces and don't want 4WD. Put transfer case in 4L and hubs in 2WD - front wheels will spin independantly of the drive shafts. Walking speed without riding the clutch.