Locking Hubs or No Locking Hubs?

I am currently rebuilding a 1947 Willys CJ 2a, which I am trying to restore faithfully to original condition. I hope to enter my jeep in shows when I am finished. I also want to use it for joyriding around town. It will rarely see off-road use.

I'm putting an old set of Dualmatics on my CJ, big clunky ugly looking things, they match the rest of it

There is a set of early hubs on the listings/auction thread.  They would be stealth to most people.  They appear to be power-lock-hubs.


Edited by 52 M38 - 12 Aug. 2015 at 10:55am

What you want to do with your Jeep was basically my plan. I left the original hubs on. Its been about 15 years since and probably not too many miles, maybe 15,000 or so and have never had a problem with the front axle. It has seen some mild off roading too.

Thanks Bill. I should post GW's resume as well.

Over 100k miles. I have put on 37k of those miles
5 FCTs including Tincup twice
1 Black Hills run
1 NH trail ride

No problems whatsoever with front axle. Once I did a mileage test. I recorded my mileage over 5 tanks of gas. Then I removed my flanges and ran the same route to and from work over 5 tanks of gas. My mileage was the same.

BAM BAM has front lockouts only because my front drive shaft angle is incorrect so at hi speed (over 60) I get some drive shaft vibration. I have done the same mileage test with him and there is no difference locked in or out.   A stock 2A won't have these driveshaft alignment issues. I will confess that twice I have accidentally left GW in 4wd on pavement, drove a distance, and did not realize it till I noticed the lever was in the wrong position :S

Edited by jpet - 12 Aug. 2015 at 12:22pm

I ran Cutlas hubs for a while and switched back to the drive flanges. Most of my driving is on trails, at least 2000 miles each year out West. I don't like to get out and lock the hubs, I like to use 4 whl when I need in NOW. I too have seen no difference in gas mileage or wear and tear. As long as you keep the front steering knuckle filled with thick oil it will out last you.  

I have Dualamatic hubs on my '46 CJ2A.  I solved the concern of having to put the hubs in and out by following my late Dad's advice and engage the hubs when I first get to my off-road destination then I don't have to worry about it.

My 2008 Dodge Ram truck does not have lockout hubs of any kind. I wonder what those engineers were thinking..... here is some chatter:

http://www.cumminsforum.com/forum/07-5-09-3rd-gen-6-7-liter-general-discussion/66578-front-hub-conversion-vs-mpg.html

.... half say they get better mileage, half say they don't.

The lockout hub debate comes up every so often on the forum and it always ends up in a non consensus. The ones who like them will testify to significant mileage increases, others will testify that there is no mileage increase. I must be honest, I've never read, on this or any other Willys forum, personal testimony about wear or damage in the front end because they were not running lockout hubs.... I have, however, read plenty of testimony from people who have had a bad day wheeling due to lockout hub failure. I'm sure someone has something to say about excessive front end wear, ... I just haven't read it. To me, this means if it does occur, it is rare. I could be wrong.

I hope I don't sound closed minded, I believe that lockout hubs can and do help with mileage, wear and tear, e.t.c. but in my experience, the benefits are immeasurable. If anyone else has been able to reap the benefits, that's awesome!

My comments are directed to help the original poster with his questions:

rpatowers wrote: I am currently rebuilding a 1947 Willys CJ 2a, which I am trying to restore faithfully to original condition. I hope to enter my jeep in shows when I am finished. I also want to use it for joyriding around town. It will rarely see off-road use. I am debating if I should install locking hubs on the front axle of the jeep. Locking hubs will reduce wear on the front end, but will destroy some of the jeep's original authenticity. If I don't install hubs, am I taking a big risk of front-end problems? What problems might I experience if I don't install hubs? What do you all think? If you were restoring a jeep to original condition to enter in shows and joyride around town, would you install locking hubs? Thanks!

.... given the testimony and or inconsistency of that testimony, ..... are we really going to advise this guy to switch his drive flanges out in this application?

In regards to Willys jeeps, my stance has always been: If you prefer lockout hubs, and you see the benefits, or even if you just feel better having them, by all means, use them..... but if you are doing a correct restoration and you want to run drive flanges, but you are afraid you will do damage to the front end .... run drive flanges. Hopefully you will be as lucky as me. Can we agree on that?

No disagreement on any of this from me; I was just joining the hub conversation! And noting that at least one major OEM still believes there's benefit/value in fitting hubs to stock 4x4s. Would I fit Warn hubs on a full-house resto aiming for absolute factory correctness? No.