Auto-locking hubs on '98 QX4?

Jason82 · Mar 17th, 2005, 11:13 PM

I've got a '98 QX4. I read on 4x4parts.com that adding auto locking hubs can increase gas mileage a bit. Another pathfinder owner said he got auto hubs from an Xterra and put it on his Pathfinder and the MPG went up. Anyone else have insight?

lewisnc100 · Mar 18th, 2005, 07:22 AM

You can also look into manual hubs like Warn or Milemarker. I've had Warn manual hubs on my 97 for a year and a half. Not a huge increase in mileage, probably somewhere around .8mpg increase for me but that is entirely city driving. Haven't tested what increase there is for highway driving. But with gas prices where they are at and the fact that adding the hubs are a cheap and easy install, they really pay for themselves in a short amount of time.

X-Traction · Mar 18th, 2005, 11:40 AM

Does this mean stock QX4's (and other Nissans with the All-Mode system) have their front hubs locked all the time?

lewisnc100 · Mar 18th, 2005, 11:44 AM

The Pathfinders and QX4s have solid driveflanges that spin everything in front of the transfer case at all times, the wheels do not spin free unless you swap the driveflanges for auto/manual hubs.

Dirk Diggler · Mar 18th, 2005, 02:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lewisnc100

The Pathfinders and QX4s have solid driveflanges that spin everything in front of the transfer case at all times, the wheels do not spin free unless you swap the driveflanges for auto/manual hubs.

I didn't know that. So I guess if you got manual locking hubs, you have to go outside the truck and turn the dial to get them to lock. How do the auto-locking type work? Do you have wire in a switch to your dash or something?

Joe.

**88pathoffroad** · Mar 18th, 2005, 05:37 PM

Nobody makes auto hubs for 96-up Pathfinders or QX-4's AFAIK. All you can get are the manual hubs, and yes you have to get out to lock them.

lewisnc100 · Mar 18th, 2005, 06:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 88pathoffroad

Nobody makes auto hubs for 96-up Pathfinders or QX-4's AFAIK.

No aftermarket makes them but there have been some recent posts that people have thrown Xterra autohubs on Pathfinders. Expensive option unless you can find somebody that went from autohubs to manuals and will sell them.

If there's a chance you could need 4WD just lock the manual hubs and leave them locked, no different than the original setup. Then you can use the 4WD shifter at any time.

Jason82 · Mar 18th, 2005, 08:20 PM

Lewis, so if I get manual locking hubs... my QX4 with the High/Low 4x4 stick shift and the knob 2WD/Auto/Lock knob will still be fully functional when I unlock the new manual hubs?

Also, where do I buy these hubs? Thanks.

lewisnc100 · Mar 18th, 2005, 09:15 PM

Manual hubs are a good option as long as you can make sure that you never engage 4WD without the hubs being locked first. My understanding of the Auto system is that the computer determines when to send power to the front wheels, so it could go into 4WD anytime it detects slippage. I think the consensus has always been to steer away from the manual hubs with the Auto system, unless the only time you unlock the hubs is when you are in 2WD only.

Lotust · Mar 18th, 2005, 09:44 PM

I bet all this is not worth the effort. what is the MPG increase? maybe .5 mpg ?

I bet you will get better mpg with just increasing tire pressure

lewisnc100 · Mar 19th, 2005, 09:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lotust

I bet all this is not worth the effort. what is the MPG increase? maybe .5 mpg ?

I bet you will get better mpg with just increasing tire pressure

+.8MPG or 5% increase in city driving in my case. Already keep my tires at 30-32psi. Not sure what effort you mean, the hubs are fairly cheap at around $130 and installation time of an hour or less. The increase sounds small on paper, but if you figure it out in my case they paid for themselves in 1-2 years at current gas prices. So an easy mod that pays for itself, kind of a no brainer in my case since I'll have my Pathfinder for years.

Lotust · Mar 19th, 2005, 04:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lewisnc100

+.8MPG or 5% increase in city driving in my case. Already keep my tires at 30-32psi. Not sure what effort you mean, the hubs are fairly cheap at around $130 and installation time of an hour or less. The increase sounds small on paper, but if you figure it out in my case they paid for themselves in 1-2 years at current gas prices. So an easy mod that pays for itself, kind of a no brainer in my case since I'll have my Pathfinder for years.

so you will get your $130 or so dollars back in 2 years? Thats hardly worth it. Ide rather do i more for the wear and tear on the CV ect.. Dont get me wrong im watching every penny we spend being that were looking for a house and getting married.

Who sells a direct fit locking hub ?

Dirk Diggler · Mar 22nd, 2005, 01:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lotust

so you will get your $130 or so dollars back in 2 years? Thats hardly worth it. Ide rather do i more for the wear and tear on the CV ect.. Dont get me wrong im watching every penny we spend being that were looking for a house and getting married.

Who sells a direct fit locking hub ?

I just called around my area, (Scarborough, Ontario), and found a Jeep shop carrying the manual lock Warn hubs for my '01 Pathfinder. They want $245CAN + taxes. I believe the center hub cover on my aluminum rims would have to be removed permanently in order to use these hubs. I'm not sure how it will look. It'd be nice if someone had a picture of this setup.

Are these hubs easy to install??

Joe.

Lotust · Mar 22nd, 2005, 09:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dirk Diggler

I just called around my area, (Scarborough, Ontario), and found a Jeep shop carrying the manual lock Warn hubs for my '01 Pathfinder. They want $245CAN + taxes. I believe the center hub cover on my aluminum rims would have to be removed permanently in order to use these hubs. I'm not sure how it will look. It'd be nice if someone had a picture of this setup.

Are these hubs easy to install??

Joe.

just drill a hole in the center big enough for the locking hub to come out.

**88pathoffroad** · Mar 23rd, 2005, 11:12 PM

Hahahhaa, a 3" diameter hole, right?

Manual hubs come with instructions and are pretty easy to install. If you have limited tools and/or experience in working on vehicles, have a shop install them for you. It won't take more than an hour tops for both sides.