[96XLT351]

I'm now living in a climate where the roads are covered with ice & snow for 4mo in the winter...
I was wondering if there's any harm to gearbox and or differntial if 4x4 is left on for normal driving, sometimes even highway use? I do turn hubs and 4x4 mode off when traction is not a problem.
I've replaced original Ford autohubs with manual ones, but all else is original on my 96 Bronco 351/AOD.

[Dominick]

I don't see any problem in doing that.
In fact it is good to keep your drivetrain working from time to time.

[Zephyrman]

I used to run with my hubs locked in all winter, and since my truck was shift on the fly, I could engage or disengage when needed, and my T-case suffered no ill effects. Besides, it helps keep stuff free and lubricated, saving you money on bearings and whatnot.

[Canuck623]

There is no harm as long as there is no chance of it being in 4X4 on dry pavement. That will lock it up and cause serious damage to the Tcase. You would be better off to leave the hubs locked and operate the transfer case in and out of 4X4. That way you don't have to get out if the going gets tough.

[Lip Ripper]

When I lived in a god forsaken climate that produced similar conditions I noticed that the braking effort was better in FWD. In two wheel drive the fronts would have a tendency to slide, in four wheel mode they all work together.

LR

[96XLT351]

Thanks for the info ya'll! I was always made to believe that extended and especially highway speeds were not good for t-case, of course using it on pavement is a no-no.

So I can leave the hubs locked and just switch modes from dash when needed? This won't cause damage to front differential which is a non-locking unit from factory?

[Poppy]

Originally Posted by Canuck623

There is no harm as long as there is no chance of it being in 4X4 on dry pavement. That will lock it up and cause serious damage to the Tcase. You would be better off to leave the hubs locked and operate the transfer case in and out of 4X4. That way you don't have to get out if the going gets tough.

Most of the guys with manual hubs do just that. Lock em up for the winter, and go in and out of 4X4 as needed.
Running with locked hubs when not needed will put a little extra wear on the front axle u joints, but so little that most people don't worry about it.

[Zephyrman]

Originally Posted by 96XLT351

Thanks for the info ya'll! I was always made to believe that extended and especially highway speeds were not good for t-case, of course using it on pavement is a no-no. So I can leave the hubs locked and just switch modes from dash when needed? This won't cause damage to front differential which is a non-locking unit from factory?

Yup, you sure can. There will be no significant effect on your front diff. Like Poppy said, you will put a little more wear on the u-joints, but not so much you would encounter problems.

[Canuck623]

Originally Posted by Poppy

Most of the guys with manual hubs do just that. Lock em up for the winter, and go in and out of 4X4 as needed. Running with locked hubs when not needed will put a little extra wear on the front axle u joints, but so little that most people don't worry about it.

Actually from my experience fixing them when I lived in Ontario Canada the ones that did not let the axles work were the ones with the big repair bills. If you just let the axle ride along the salt and corrosion can and will seep in and seize the joint. Locking the hubs keeps the needle bearing in the joints moving and free. Just sayin.

[96XLT351]

That makes sense that bearings would seize after sitting unused for extended periods. Thanks guys, the info on this post is great!!!