Dana 60 hub question???

[Monster4.0]

With a locked dana 60 front could you run with one hub unlocked for an extended period of time? I'm thinking 3 wheel drive for steering in the snow.

I was wondering if it would hurt anything? Its a ford ball joint 60 if that matters.

I've searched and only found people do it for short tight turns, but I couldn't find the info I needed.

[Christoff]

I don't see what it would hurt but why would you be running in 4x4 for a long time. Just use 4x4 to get on the road and then go in 2wd.

[Monster4.0]

Short wheelbase in a YJ makes for a wild ride in 2wd.

[PavementPounder]

Originally Posted by Christoff

I don't see what it would hurt but why would you be running in 4x4 for a long time. Just use 4x4 to get on the road and then go in 2wd.

Its not that he would be in 4wd, its that the front axle would have a locker. Both front wheels would be turning at the same speed. Not fun in turns on snowy/icy pavement. Unlocking one hub would allow a side to freewheel.

[Christoff]

Originally Posted by PavementPounder

Its not that he would be in 4wd, its that the front axle would have a locker. Both front wheels would be turning at the same speed. Not fun in turns on snowy/icy pavement. Unlocking one hub would allow a side to freewheel.

No I get why one is unlocked so he can actually steer and the thing doesn't just go staright on him. I just don't know why people would want to be running 4x4 down the road for extended periods of time unless travel in 2wd is not possible, and in that case you shouldn't moving that fast anyway. Even with open/open I won't use 4x4 on the road unless I can't move in 2wd.

[PavementPounder]

Originally Posted by Christoff

No I get why one is unlocked so he can actually steer and the thing doesn't just go staright on him. I just don't know why people would want to be running 4x4 down the road for extended periods of time unless travel in 2wd is not possible, and in that case you shouldn't moving that fast anyway. Even with open/open I won't use 4x4 on the road unless I can't move in 2wd.

Because he's not talking about driving in 4wd on the paved road surface. He's talking about snow driving/bad weather, like he mentioned in the first post. Any kind of slippery condition is sufficient to allow all 4 tires to spin at the slightly different speeds that the differences in circumference (result of manufacturing variation) cause.

Driving in 4wd on dry pavement is not as big a problem as it used to be. Doing it often with a gear-driven transfer case would wear the gears and eventually cause problems leading to replacement. Replacing gears is time-consuming and expensive. Modern TC's are chain-driven. They can absorb the forces acting against each other better than gears can and will stretch to accomodate them instead of losing material or cracking like gears can. You'd eventually have to replace it, but I put about 160k on my Ram's 241 with a decent amount of highway 4wd in the winter and heavy rains. It was pulled after a slight shaft/bearing vibration was detected near the rear output. The chain didn't appear to have developed much slack at all after all that time and use.