Please give me the $.10 explaination of how the Non Air Shif

[TiredIron]

I understand the Air Shift (Rockwell..?) front axle as far as how...and when it works.
But I don't clearly understand the Non-Air Shift (Sprage) axle....on how and when it works.......and what happens if you install a pair of Locking Hubs on one...???
Thanks
in advance.

 

[Recovry4x4]

the front drive is overrun just a bit vs the rear drive. When rear slippage is detected, the sprag engages. Picture the sprag as a drum with a hub inside it. Between them is a series of oval shaped pieces. Kinda like rollers but oval. The tolarance is close here. The little pieces are at an angle and have a spring around them. As long as the inner piece is spinning faster than the outer piece all is normal. When the drum spins faster, the oval pices turn a bit and bind the two together causing front drive. In reverse, a different sprag engages. Lay terms here. As far as that assy, it's correctly called an overrunning clutch but most folks just call it a sprag. There is linkage between the trans and transfer so tha sprags know what direction to engage.

 

[MVtrucker]

Ken, that's the best description I've ever read.

 

[Recovry4x4]

Thanks Joe. I had problems getting what I want to say on paper. Much easier to show with the hands!