Selecting low range for parking and auto locking hubs

ian72 · Member

Selecting low range for parking and auto locking hubs

Radar · Guru

ian72 wrote:
Hi, I am planning to get back into vanning after a layoff & revisiting a few things. We have yet to put our rig together but I notice that most 4wds have auto locking hubs these days and am wondering about using low range when backing the van onto a site. Won't the transmission lock up?

Yes there is lock up, I try to only use our low range 4wd while going in a reasonable straight line causing no bind up.

outlaw40 · Guru

hi ian72
using low range is not a good idea in the modern 4x4 on solid ground like bitumen road etc as the front diff will wind up and at the least you will have trouble disengaging 4x4 or you could do seriously damage the drive train.

Bill B · Guru

outlaw40 wrote:

hi ian72

using low range is not a good idea in the modern 4x4 on solid ground like bitumen road etc as the front diff will wind up and at the least you will have trouble disengaging 4x4 or you could do seriously damage the drive train.

Depends on the vehicle.

It is ok to use low range on a 200 Landcruiser so long as you don't activate the Centre Diff Lock.

rockylizard · Guru

Bill B wrote:
Depends on the vehicle.
It is ok to use low range on a 200 Landcruiser so long as you don't activate the Centre Diff Lock.

Gday...

Correct answer Bill. It is completely dependent on the particular make and model and year ... many that are 'constant 4x4' these days are able to use low-range on bitumen - with some speed restrictions - and can be used when reversing a van onto a site.

As always ... it is wise to check the owner's manual of the vehicle - there will be advice on how to use the vehicle in 4x4.

cheers - John

STRETCH ARMSTRONG · Senior Member

Hey ian72 it is easy as buying a set of free wheeling hubs for your vehicle. Its on my list of mods for D-maxine. Use of 4x4 low is then not a problem.

GB · Member

Hi,

I fitted free wheeling hubs to my D Max back in 2013 and drive with them unlocked, stops the front cv's and diff turning in normal driving and is great for backing my van up hill and in tight spaces as I can use low range. Have to remember to lock the hubs before going off road though.

Cheers

GB

rgren2 · Guru

Some auto hubs can be converted to manual. I did it to my Patrol.

ian72 · Member

Thanks for these comments. I will possibly seek more details once the tug is selected.

Cupie · Guru

Perhaps an advantage of my old banger, a GQ Patrol with auto locking hubs.

For 20 years I have been using 4L to reverse along the roadway, over the gutter & up the front lawn to park my 2.4T van into its place along the side of the house. I decided to do so after almost burning out a clutch by slipping it as I did a long reversal around trees & other obstacles into a difficult spot beside a relative's house in Castlemaine.

Never had transmission lock up.

BTW perhaps its the only time my 4WD function is used in earnest. But I do occasionally use it in a grassy paddock just to make sure it works, because many years ago a mechanic suggested that I do so.

-- Edited by Cupie on Wednesday 27th of June 2018 11:16:30 AM

Plain Truth · Guru

How your diffs work.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TotrUUuYOM4

Cupie · Guru

Here's a vid on Transmission wind up ...

Perhaps why I have no probs REVERSING up to my home parking spot.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ulh0NyCof5g&list=PL1IUIvaMcdspJ0HRPmjKQYk6ENxspYzoW&index=14

Warren-Pat_01 · Guru

Ian,
For a short distance you are using it for, you will not lock the transmission with auto or manual hubs. In fact with my old GQ & manual hubs, I often left the hubs in 2WD & used the Low 4WD position to do what Cupie did. It was certainly better than burning a clutch out! Anyone who knows how heavy a Patrol transmission is would do the same.

To drive for any length of distance on firm surfaces will certainly risk locking the transmission unless like the Toyota, it has a centre diff.

In my earlier days as a trainee-technician with the PMG's Dept, I was a passenger in an older (1968) Landcruiser wagon - we had driven to the ABC TV transmitter at Mt Lofty & someone put the car in 4WD. Not knowing we had to reverse to get it out of 4WD & not being able to restore the "stick", we made it back to the depot in Edwardstown (perhaps 40 odd miles) without any issues.

Cassie63 · Senior Member

Sorry to hijack this one, I've ordered a VDJ78 which comes with the auto hubs.
My old HDJ 105 has the manual hubs so when I tow my van an get stuck on an incline I stick it in low range to get me going without locking the hubs.
Can I do this with the VDJ78?
thanks in advance

Mike196 · Senior Member

Same as GB above I fitted free wheeling hubs to the Colorado for the reasons mentioned. A bonus was an improvement of 1L/100Km consumption.

Cassie63 · Senior Member

Is using the diff locks an option?

Peter_n_Margaret · Guru

Cassie63 wrote:
Is using the diff locks an option?

Installing diff locks requires careful consideration and even more careful use. Their inappropriate use can also break things because all the power can be delivered through one axle.

I have a very effective limited slip diff at the rear and a diff lock at the front. It is rarely used.

Cheers,

Peter

Keith P · Senior Member

I used low range in My Patrol (with hubs unlocked ) pretty much all the time where slow and technical backing was required. Upshot of all this was clutch was still in really good nick at 300,000 plus K,s.

In the Pajero...still use low range to park van....as it is usually for a short distance and with care. I just remember to let everything neutralise in neutral before switching back to high 4...as Paj locks centre diff in low range 4WD.

Cheers Keith