DO's and DONT's of Locking Hubs

[JimmyDee]

I do have a locking front differential. Detroit.

As far as the steering, I've only locked my hubs once. I wasn't able to move the steering wheel much after rolling a few feet forward. I didn't put much 'oompf' into the turn, because I wasn't sure if the steering wheel resistance was normal, so I just got out an unlocked the hubs.

Without being certain, I decided to skip the whole idea.

I will assume that you have non automatic locking hubs. If they are automatic, you have to do nothing.
The hubs do what has been said, lock the front axle to the wheel. I have driven an entire winter with them in lock. It hurts nothing except for the gas mileage. On the truck I did this with, it cost about 4 miles to the gal. Gas was cheap then. If your hubs are the non automatic and locked in, you should be able to go in and out of 4x4 at just about any speed without hurting anything. Everything is running at the same speed and should go in and out of 4x4 easily.
With the automatic hubs I have found I would prefer not to be going any faster than 5 MPH. I have been told you can do it faster but it makes a loud clunk that I don't like. I equate clunk to damage.
Never drive on dry pavement in 4x4. The drive train will bind up and could cause damage to the system. I have also heard that it is not advisable to drive in snow greater than a few miles per hour but I have had a 4x4 since 1969 and one of the reasons I have one is to be able to drive 50 mph on the highway with it snow covered. Many times I have driven the 35 mile drive to Grand Rapids in 4x4 at 50 - 55 mph with no ill effects at all.
Jim

 

[JimmyDee]

I lock mine in periodically during the summer to keep the u-joints and stuff from seizing up. Good to get everything moving now and then.

This is a great thing to do. I also find a dirt road and put it in 4x4 for a mile or two as well every month or so.
Jim

 

[mike.germann]

Thanks for the advice, guys. Took my truck to some good ol' Maryland back-country, locked up my hubs once I got off the hard ground, set in 4HI and drove around for a couple miles. I was able to get used to the steering difference! I noted the 'clanky' sounds (the locker, I believe) it seemed more clanky when I was going slower through a turn, as opposed to a turn going a little faster.

Either way, I did the entire evolution confidently, thanks to all the advice. I know it's pretty simple, but I'd much rather swallow my pride and ask for some help....than to bust some stuff up.

Thanks! More off-road experiences to follow

 

[rammertide07]

Thanks for the advice, guys. Took my truck to some good ol' Maryland back-country, locked up my hubs once I got off the hard ground, set in 4HI and drove around for a couple miles. I was able to get used to the steering difference! I noted the 'clanky' sounds (the locker, I believe) it seemed more clanky when I was going slower through a turn, as opposed to a turn going a little faster.

Either way, I did the entire evolution confidently, thanks to all the advice. I know it's pretty simple, but I'd much rather swallow my pride and ask for some help....than to bust some stuff up.

Thanks! More off-road experiences to follow

No problem dude. Like I always told my dad "asking questions saves a lot of guess work"

 

[bigrigr]

You have a slightly different situation than most of us, you have an aftermarket locking differential that "locks" both front tires to each other so they "pull" together when in 4wd. Most "4x4's" really don't have 4 wheel drive at all, they only have 2wd. But it's one rear, and pne front. The lockers are designed to give true 4wd if there's one in both diffs. if you lock both hubs in with a detroit locker, it will make it almost impossible to turn under power. You sacrifice the steering ability, for the pulling ability. You can run with only one hub in,and it will help the steering issue, then just lock the other in if you get into some really bad stuff. But never run with both hubs in on slippery pavement, or you won't be able to steer at all, and you may slide into the ditch(don't ask me how i know!) 4wd is awesome, and once you get used to how it works, you'll really like it too!