Series III Locking Hubs V. Factory Drive Flange

[LR Max]

Always unlocked unless I need my front axle/terrain is threatening to require it.

[LaneRover]

I tend to keep them locked unless I am doing a fair amount of highway driving.

I did snap an axle pulling into my alley back in Ocean Beach in California and had to roll back to where the truck would just sit still and not roll away because with a snapped axle the transmission brake doesn't work at all.

Or should I say it works fine braking the transmission but the transmission is no longer attached to any of the wheels with a snapped axle and no locker in the diff.

[yorker]

I lock mine in November and unlock them in April/May. Then as needed.

[Sputnicker]

I prefer to run unlocked as much as possible because there are fewer moving parts and less mass that the drivetrain needs to push around. That saves horsepower, friction, wear and gas. I can tell the difference on a smooth road - less drag and less vibration.

When I disassembled both (original) differentials a while back, there was noticeably less wear in the front - it looked almost new after 50 years and 120,000 miles. I also like the idea of not loading the front axles more than necessary because more fatigue cycles leads to a higher probability of breaking a front axle when you really need it.

To eliminate the concern about lubricating the upper railco bushing, I engage 4-wheel drive (but not necessarily the hubs) periodically to sling oil inside the swivels. No need to lock hubs for this because the parts inside the swivel will be rotating (and slinging oil) whenever 4-wheel drive is engaged.

[TedW]

To eliminate the concern about lubricating the upper railco bushing, I engage 4-wheel drive (but not necessarily the hubs) periodically to sling oil inside the swivels. No need to lock hubs for this because the parts inside the swivel will be rotating (and slinging oil) whenever 4-wheel drive is engaged.

I was under the impression that doing this was not so good for the mechanicals - although I never understood why. It seems to me that if the hubs are not engaged there is no risk of wind up or other related nastiness.

Can others confirm? I likey this idea........