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2wd Low Range

Discussion in 'Early CJ5 and CJ6 Tech' started by Mr Vaughan, Jan 11, 2021.

  1. Jan 11, 2021
    Mr Vaughan

    Mr Vaughan

    is it super difficult to do? i know it can sometimes overload the axle but it's my fault if so. does anyone have a visual on how to do it while it's out of the vehicle?
     
  2. Jan 11, 2021
    colojeepguy

    colojeepguy Colorado Springs

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    You have to have the twin stick version of the Dana 18. Al you have to do is remove the interlock "pill" between the 2 shift rails. Unfortunately this requires disassembled of the tcase.
     
  3. Jan 11, 2021
    SFaulken

    SFaulken Active Member

    Bellevue, WA
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    Technically, you can do this on any 4x4 rig with manually locking hubs... Just dont lock them.
     
    45es, Alan28, Downs and 3 others like this.
  4. Jan 11, 2021
    SFaulken

    SFaulken Active Member

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    To be fair, I wouldn't do this for very *long*, the bearings in your hubs really aren't designed for this kind of duty, but I've done it here and there when doing sketchy stuff, like pulling things that were way too heavy for the rig I was doing it with, and 4wd wasn't really necessary.
     
  5. Jan 11, 2021
    Mr Vaughan

    Mr Vaughan

    done.
    i know, but i want to put warn lock-o-matic's on.
    guess now i have a reason, would like to get to know it better
     
    jeep2003 likes this.
  6. Jan 11, 2021
    Mr Vaughan

    Mr Vaughan

    what jeeps were these in?
     
  7. Jan 11, 2021
    colojeepguy

    colojeepguy Colorado Springs

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    CJ's prior to 66, pickups and utility wagons, early IH Scouts.
     
  8. Jan 11, 2021
    ITLKSEZ

    ITLKSEZ Hope for the best, prepare for the worst

    Liberty Lake, WA
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    Devil’s advocate.... :twist:
    It can be done with the single-stick version too, but the shifter linkage (that connects the shift rails) also needs to be removed, and you’re on your own for new shifters. Aftermarket shifters are available.
     
  9. Jan 11, 2021
    jpflat2a

    jpflat2a what's that noise?

    Hermosa, SD
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    I'm not following your thought process here. Please explain.
     
  10. Jan 11, 2021
    Jw60

    Jw60 Sitting up n buckled down. 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

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    Just find a Surry gala, or dj10 :D
     
  11. Jan 11, 2021
    SFaulken

    SFaulken Active Member

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    Ok, so you leave your hubs unlocked, and toss the transfer case into 4-low. Thats going to have the front driveshaft spinning, which will be spinning the differential, and the axles, even though the hubs aren't locked. There are bearings in those hubs, they weren't *really* designed to have an unloaded (i.e. Freewheeling) axle shaft spinning inside them. Chances are, in most cases, you're not going to hurt anything, but it isn't something that your locking hubs are designed to do.

    I certainly wouldn't make it a habit of running around with the 4WD engaged, and the manual hubs unlocked. 99 Times out of 100, you're probably going to be just fine, but why take the risk?

    Obviously some designs would be better than others, but for instance, on my CJ with that one tiny little needle bearing setup in the Warn M2's I've got on there? I wouldn't want to just have an axle spinning away in there.
     
  12. Jan 11, 2021
    jeep2003

    jeep2003 Well-Known Member

    Upstate NY
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    I wouldnt bother with lock o matics unless thats what youve got already. The chances of them working as intended is very slim. mine dont work only as regular hubs.
     
    Downs likes this.
  13. Jan 11, 2021
    Jw60

    Jw60 Sitting up n buckled down. 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

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    With the hubs unlocked there will be no relative movement between the shaft and hub unless turning or loss of traction on the rear axle.
     
    Last edited: Jan 11, 2021
    Downs and Ol Fogie like this.
  14. Jan 11, 2021
    PeteL

    PeteL If it wasn't for physics, and law enforcement... 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

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    Yes. It can.
     
  15. Jan 11, 2021
    SFaulken

    SFaulken Active Member

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    Perhaps, perhaps not, I don't recall seeing any sort of differential within the D18 in my CJ, the front and rear outputs both spin when it's in 4wd. I'm not implying you're necessarily going to break anything, but having the 4wd engaged, with the hubs unlocked isn't a normal use-case.
     
  16. Jan 11, 2021
    Keys5a

    Keys5a Sponsor

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    Do you have the special drag nut locking the outer wheel bearing? Lock-o-Matics won't work unless they have all the parts included, and haven't been bubba'ed because they didn't know how they work.
    -Donny
     
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  17. Jan 11, 2021
    Jw60

    Jw60 Sitting up n buckled down. 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

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    Because there is no center differential the front can still turn without load in 4x4 with the front hubs unlocked. The kingpins will still get lubrication. it will cause some wear and tear on the driveshaft and front differential but the hubs will be turning at ground speed which will be the same as the shaft is turning.
    Therefore the hub bearing surface (mine only has a plastic bushing) will experience less wear unlocked in 4x4 hi or low than in 2wd with the hubs unlocked.

    It's all relative. Like the moon turns around the earth the same as the earth rotates... the moon never wears out.
     
    DrDanteIII likes this.
  18. Jan 11, 2021
    Ol Fogie

    Ol Fogie 74 cj5 304, 1943 mb

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    x2 exactly, as Jw60 said. Another way to say it is the hub and axle will turn at the same rate unless the rear wheels are spinning at a faster rate than the front wheels. thus no bearing movement.
     
  19. Jan 11, 2021
    jeep2003

    jeep2003 Well-Known Member

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    yeah the pads are worn out. or maybe just dont grab because the oil
     
  20. Jan 11, 2021
    jeepdaddy2000

    jeepdaddy2000 Active Member

    Eagle Point oregon
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    Using low on the t case side with the hubs unlocked is a common practice, especially with 3 speeds and taller diff gears. I routinely used the low side pulling my drift boat out of the river with the old T14 transmission because first gear wasn't slow enough. I wasn't looking for compound torque or extra traction, simply a slower gear. I've since replaced the T14 with a T18A and the compound first negates the need to use the low side of the t case.
     
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