Rear Drive Shaft Disconnect

[tklm539]

Quick question.I am planning on using my deuce during the winter months for plowing and the rest of the year on the road. Is there an advantage to removing the drive to the rear duals for the summer, fall and spring and replacing it for plowing in the winter? If so, is there an easy way to do it or is it a major project which would not warrent the time.

Thanks
Tom.

 

[derby]

There have ben other posts on this,as I remember some guys were pulling the shaft to help with fuel MPG and reduced tire scrub.others are using the lock out hubs.it is not a big project if you are a little guy. you can also do a search on the subject and I am shure You will find all you ever wanted to know.

 

[jwaller]

if you use the front tandum to power the truck it will wheel hop badly. get the lockout hub for the front tandum and use the rear to power the truck. and it's much easier to flip the hub locker than to R&R the driveshaft everytime you need it.

http://steelsoldiers.com/index.php?module=photoshare&type=show&func=viewimage&iid=2123&viewkey=

 

[JDToumanian]

if you use the front tandem to power the truck it will wheel hop badly.

Why? I don't see how it would make a difference. I had decided to put my lockout hub on the rear tandem, in effect shortening the drive line (same as if you removed the drive shaft from between the tandems)... But I haven't installed it yet so I can still be convinced to do otherwise.

Jon

 

[OSO]

DO THEY MAKE for 5 tons rigs? Like to find out, if any are out there would like to find out price. OSO

 

[clinto]

I believe it is better to put the lockout on the front tandem, as the rear suspension acts somewhat like a 4-link in a race car and will more effectively "plant" the rearmost tires.

 

[cranetruck]

Whichever one you free up, the driving axle will see a big increase in tire wear on that axle.
There are several advantages to freeing up the rears but you will need front wheel drive from time to time to make it over little obstacles like curbs, wet grass, slick pavement etc and for that reason alone I wouldn't want freewheeling hubs in the front. When I'm on my gravel road and come to a slight hill, I simply engage the front wheel drive on the fly.
Just my two centavos.

 

[sermis]

I had my lockout on the rear tandum. Lost of spin and hop from the front. Moved the lockout to the front and 80% better. Less spin and hop. I am running 15.5's.

 

[cranetruck]

80% better huh...that agrees with Clinto's post. I'll try it, may reduce tire wear too. I have extra front hubs and can simply replace a rear hub with one of them.

 

[gringeltaube]

Why? I don't see how it would make a difference.....
........ I haven't installed it yet so I can still be convinced to do otherwise.
Jon

May be this helps...?

 

[Boatcarpenter]

I think you are right on there gringeltaube!

 

[JDToumanian]

Well, that clears it up... thanks guys, the unlocker shall go on the front tandem!

Jon

 

[alphadeltaromeo]

I really dislike being ignorant...admitting it that is *wink*...but in this case, I certainly am. Looking at that pic from gringel, I simply don't get it...can someone educate me as to the thought being presented by it?

 

[rdixiemiller]

Ask your Nascar racing relatives Andy. 4 links are used on most racecars. All you have to do is pull one axle shaft from the front tandem and put an extra front flange on it.

 

[jwaller]

here is the pic I linked earlier. you want the rears pushing the truck and thus the rear tandums have more leaverage to help turn the front than does the front tandum.

they have a longer lever arm and makes turning easier.

 

[jwaller]

DO THEY MAKE for 5 tons rigs? Like to find out, if any are out there would like to find out price. OSO

they were made decades ago for the earilest monster trucks by bob chandler but havent been made since and the originals are very hard to find.

 

[FreightTrain]

ummm,ok,why not just pull the axle shafts and install front drive hubs in their place?Cheaper and easier than lockout hubs.Or if you can find some,get some broken/bent rear axle shafts(find some mudder types) and cut the flange off to keep the stock look.

 

[JDToumanian]

Well, I chose an unlocker vs. removing the axle shaft because I use my deuce out in the desert, in sand, quite frequently... camping, shooting, and 6x6-ing. I wanted to save my tires while on pavement but be able to go off road with a simple turn of the hub lock. It would be a P.I.T.A. to have to swap axle shafts and hub caps back and forth all the time. Messy, too, since some gear oil pools around the axle end where the outer seal is.

If you use your deuce on pavement only or rarely go off road, then either using a front hub cap or removing the drive shaft from between the tandems would be the way to go.

Regards,
Jon

 

[jwaller]

Well, I chose an unlocker vs. removing the axle shaft because I use my deuce out in the desert, in sand, quite frequently... camping, shooting, and 6x6-ing. I wanted to save my tires while on pavement but be able to go off road with a simple turn of the hub lock. It would be a P.I.T.A. to have to swap axle shafts and hub caps back and forth all the time. Messy, too, since some gear oil pools around the axle end where the outer seal is.

If you use your deuce on pavement only or rarely go off road, then either using a front hub cap or removing the drive shaft from between the tandems would be the way to go.

Regards,
Jon

Ditto. plus if you are luggin that spare axle around all the time it's going to get dirty(and take up a lot o space) and need cleaning and sealing before going in and that isn't always an easy thing out in the brush and mud.

I like the ease of flipping the hub switch and going in.

But if you have the time and patience to swap that stuff around all the time then you can save yourself the $500 or so bones.