Nissan XTerra - Locking Hub question?

I am considering a Nissan XTerra for the ground clearance it has over
my Subaru Forester. There are other reasons I am looking at the
XTerra, but for now here is a comment/question:
Nissan offers the "Off Road" option which has locking hubs and HD
shocks. This being new to me, I am not sure if I need locking hubs, or
even when I would want to use them.
The back roads here can range from the mountains with steep gravel,
dirt with ruts & rocks protruding from the trail. Winter snow can
leave drifts as late as June. Summer storms & winter runoff can really
make the "road" a tough go. Soft sand in desert areas and dry washes
are also common.
Thanks in advance

QX <nomail (AT) nospam (DOT) com> wrote:
:
: Nissan offers the "Off Road" option which has locking hubs and HD
: shocks. This being new to me, I am not sure if I need locking hubs, or
: even when I would want to use them.
:
I prefer being able to lock the front wheels in, as
opposed to vehicles that don't offer that ability (almost
all of them, today).

I remember when Jeep introduced them, and my response
then was the same as today - lock in the front hubs when you
want to play (or the weather becomes threatening), and engage
the front drive line was required. When you are done, or the
weather is better, unlock the front hubs.

Realize, however, that you can't have all-wheel drive
like your Suby has now, as locking front hubs means there is
not automatic or full time connection.

If you don't have full time all wheel drive, you will need
to engage the front drive train at least every month to move
the parts around, and keep the ring gear lubricated.

Bruce
--
------------------------------------------------------------------------
"I like bad!" Bruce Burden Austin, TX.
- Thuganlitha
The Power and the Prophet
Robert Don Hughes

There are 4 kinds of front hubs on 4x4 vehicles.
1) Always on (used in older 4x4s).
2) Manual locking. You have to get out of the truck to lock and unlock ,
but are more reliable than automatic hubs. When unlocked and transfere case
in 2x4 the front drive system is completely disconnected. You can lock the
front hubs and still have the transfer case in 2x4. Often the manufacturer
lists a speed which you shouldn't exceed with the front hubs locked -
something to look into.
3) Automatic locking (Engages the front axle when the front drive shaft is
engaged). More convient than manual hubs but parts of the front drive system
are always turning when the vehicle is moving.
4) Automatic locking with manual override (I've only seen these on Ford
Trucks and don't know much about them).

I prefer the manual locking hubs myself, but my '99 didn't offer them and
I've had no trouble after 110K miles, probably 5-15% in 4x4.

"QX" <nomail (AT) nospam (DOT) com> wrote

I am considering a Nissan XTerra for the ground clearance it has over
my Subaru Forester. There are other reasons I am looking at the
XTerra, but for now here is a comment/question:
Nissan offers the "Off Road" option which has locking hubs and HD
shocks. This being new to me, I am not sure if I need locking hubs, or
even when I would want to use them.
The back roads here can range from the mountains with steep gravel,
dirt with ruts & rocks protruding from the trail. Winter snow can
leave drifts as late as June. Summer storms & winter runoff can really
make the "road" a tough go. Soft sand in desert areas and dry washes
are also common.
Thanks in advance

I have both systems on my Jeeps. My CJ7 has manual hubs that I lock up
when the weather looks bad or I hit dirt trails so I can just shift in
and out of 4x4 when needed at 'any' legal speed.

Our Cherokee has the automatic hubs. This is a bit more convenient, but
wears parts out also and has moving parts inside that wear. It also can
be shifted into and out of 4 high at any legal speed.

I treat 4 high just like any other shift. When I see a snowy patch
coming, I shift, then when it is clear again I just shift back to 2
wheel drive.

I think I prefer the manual hubs despite the inconvenience of having to
lock them.

I don't know this for sure, but folks on this newsgroup are saying that
you cannot use a Nissan in 4x4 safely on the highway. They say you
actually have to stop on the side of the highway or road and go into
reverse to shift out of 4x4!!!

Reversing on the highway is serious ticket territory around here, let
alone a serious safety issue.

In my mind, that would be a 'big' sale breaker if it was true. I would
'not' own a 4x4 that I can't use on the highway. I would be asking to
see the owners manual's instructions on 4x4 shifting before buying if it
was me...

Even my 'vintage' Jeeps can be shifted into and out of 4 high at any
legal speed, to have otherwise is insanity in my mind.

Mike
86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00
88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's
Canadian Off Road Trips Photos: Non members can still view!
Jan/06 http://www.imagestation.com/album/pi...?id=2115147590
(More Off Road album links at bottom of the view page)


QX wrote:

I am considering a Nissan XTerra for the ground clearance it has over
my Subaru Forester. There are other reasons I am looking at the
XTerra, but for now here is a comment/question:
Nissan offers the "Off Road" option which has locking hubs and HD
shocks. This being new to me, I am not sure if I need locking hubs, or
even when I would want to use them.
The back roads here can range from the mountains with steep gravel,
dirt with ruts & rocks protruding from the trail. Winter snow can
leave drifts as late as June. Summer storms & winter runoff can really
make the "road" a tough go. Soft sand in desert areas and dry washes
are also common.
Thanks in advance