Should I have locking hubs?
 

I was just wondering if locking hubs would benefit me off-road.

I dont think there is any benefit off road, but on road it would be less weight spinning around. Right now the front axle shafts spin causing the front driveshaft to spin. With lock out hubs you could disconnect the wheels/tires from the axle causing less rolling resistance and a slight increase in fuel economy. However with locking hubs there are more parts to break.

No. Once you're in 4WD, it makes no difference.

It would be a lot of trouble to put locking hubs on an XJ.

If you do alot of on road driving in 2 wheel drive though, installing locking hubs will be alot less wear and tear on your front drive parts. Also it's less power the motor is using to spin parts that aren't being used, and therefore better gas mileage. If you're strictly using your truck in 4 wheel drive though, then there's no benefit that I can see to being able to unlock them.

You already Have locked hubs. the only benifit they would provide is to be able to Un-lock on the street. Would give a little less mechanical resistance. Not having to spin the gears and shaft all the time. Dought it's enough to offset cost.

the only benefit i see to locking hubs offroad is that if you break a shaft or anything in your front axle. you can unlock the hubs and drive home

it is suppose to be able to save you around 1 MPG on the highway....but absolutely no benefit on the trail

i just wouldnt be able to justify spending a grand or more on a locking hub conversion kit...with the only advantage being like one MPG....it would take a LONG time for it to pay for itself..lol

thats all true and everything, it is less wear and tear on your front end components, but how often do you change your axle shaft, or your axle joint....not to mention, an axle joint is 9 bucks, an axle shaft may be 150 bucks brand new, but my XJ with 205,000 miles still has its orignal axle shafts...and original axle joints......

so again, it just doesnt justify spending a grand or more on these lock out hub conversions

Agree, it's definately not a necessary mod, and not one I could afford to do, I have other mods that are more important to me, lol. Just stating what it is.

its nice to have when your vacuum stops working while your wheeling,but even the warn kit that sells for $1200 or so research it can only handle a 33 size tire at most.:alien:

Thank you guys. If I put auto lockers in the front would it be wise to have locking hubs?

wait do you allready have locking hubs?? cuz the whole point of having the lever inside is so that you dont have to get out and manually lock them- so getting some is kinda wierd it defeats the whole purpose of the comfort of staying inside the jeep