Locking hub kit for the KJ

CRD Joe · **Posted:** Sat May 09, 2009 4:07 pm

Ok I'm getting ready to pick up my new (to me) CRD KJ. I'm a BIG proponent of locking hubs on 4x4's. I especially like the idea of freeing up all those moving parts for better fuel mileage. Now wranglers (YJ) have locking hubs and they are dana 30's. Has anyone done this?

daspes · **Posted:** Sat May 09, 2009 4:21 pm

YJ's with locking hubs were after market, same as TJ's. And no one manufactures a lockout hub kit for the IFS KJ...

CRD Joe · **Posted:** Sat May 09, 2009 4:23 pm

So the only way to get it is either a one off system, or SFA?

daspes · **Posted:** Sat May 09, 2009 4:26 pm

Not necessarily, an inventive mind and access to a machine shop, or bottomless pockets to have someone build you entire new front hubs...

tjkj2002 · **Posted:** Sat May 09, 2009 8:18 pm

CRD Joe wrote:

So the only way to get it is either a one off system, or SFA?

Unless your willing to dump massive amounts of $$$$ just SFA it to get lock outs.Then plan on doing at least a D60 front since D44 lockouts seem to be junk for anything but mild trails,at least here in CO.I'm tossing my D44 lockouts out,keeping as spares,and going to drive flanges which is the exact same setup(more or less) that you are trying to get away from but the strength is so much greater with drive flanges like what the KJ already has stock.

CRD Joe · **Posted:** Sat May 09, 2009 9:11 pm

Thanks guys. But I've got a 101" Samurai on 38"s for my hard core wheeler. I like the idea of freeing up the front end to save fuel and wear and tear. There's just no reason that front end needs to be turning when I'm 2wd!!!

Guest · **Posted:** Sun May 10, 2009 12:27 am

Joe, TBH, even the gasser KJs get pretty darn good fuel economy. don't think you'd see a huge increase going to lockouts, since you're still adding rotating weight, and simply more parts to break. Hub assemblies are expensive enough by themselves without going into 8,000 different specialty parts

And on the full floater...you do realize this is a Liberty, not an F450 dump truck, right

Has anybody successfully broken an 8.25 in a typical KJ on 31s or 32s through anything but lack of maintenance?

ATXKJ · **Posted:** Sun May 10, 2009 2:22 am

AZScout blew his 8.25 - about 1/2 second after he blew up the front diff trying to climb some rocks.

http://www.lostjeeps.com/forum/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?t=28666&highlight=diff

sounds like ARB Seth managed to twist off the axles.

CRD Joe · **Posted:** Sun May 10, 2009 10:52 am

TJ yes I realize this is a KJ and not an F450. Im a big believer in over kill if it doesn't weigh a ton. A good full floater is way stronger than a semi and not a lot heavier. A set of hubs up front would free up power, drag and wear and tear. I don't need the manufacturer helping me be LAZY! I can turn in the hubs when I need four wheel drive thank you very much!

KJ Taz · **Posted:** Sun May 10, 2009 12:25 pm

I love locking hubs but anymore I don't see the point. Back in the old days when these were becoming big in the auto industry there were many issues with them, that is just not the case anymore. As far as wear and tear your rear end is getting the wear and tear every day you use a vehicle but yet in most vehicles the rear end will out last the vehicle even with a lack of maintaining it. I have yet to have issues with the front end on any of my vehciles: 98 Chevy 4x4 130,000 miles, 06 TJ 62,000 miles, 06 KJ 58,000 miles,. Then I could start getting into all the company trucks over the years with zero failures in the front end.

What people are getting at is its a lot of money to try to get locking hubs on a KJ, and just not worth it. Once you have them they very well could be a weak point that would be expensive to fix. On my 72 CJ5 I wouldn't have wanted anything different but in this day and age I just don't see the point and the amount of gas milage it would actually save you is very minimal. Plus I really think have those parts moving is better than not. Its kind of like when a car sits too long things start going wrong even though you might not have put any miles on it. I can see seals going bad etc. Does this make since?

Locking hub kit for the KJ

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