Manual hubs on 203 without part time conversion

[K201979]

I like the option of unlocking the hubs and pulling the front shaft if something goes wrong in the diff. Any drawbacks to lockouts in anyones opinion?

 

[bucket]

I'm in with the crowd that says running a 203 in hi-loc with hubs unlocked is absolutely perfectly fine, without a doubt.

I like the option of unlocking the hubs and pulling the front shaft if something goes wrong in the diff. Any drawbacks to lockouts in anyones opinion?

Me too. There's no drawback other than a lockout can fail.

 

[K201979]

I'm in with the crowd that says running a 203 in hi-loc with hubs unlocked is absolutely perfectly fine, without a doubt."

I did it for a few months while i gathered cash for a drive shaft. Who knows for sure if i did any damage tho. Poor folks got poor ways

 

[bucket]

I did it for a few months while i gathered cash for a drive shaft. Who knows for sure if i did any damage tho. Poor folks got poor ways

Nope, no damage. Driving in hi-loc with hubs unlocked is the equivalent of driving in 2hi with a conventional t-case.

 

[shiftpro]

wrecking stuff like running in regular 4x4 at speed in winter weather../QUOTE]

What would get wrecked? I have drove high speed winter roads for decades with various 4x4s...?

 

[Rusty Nail]

Also, you lose the ability to drive at high speed in HI with the hubs locked in, during slippery conditions, which is REALLY awesome.

I will never understand why anyone would ever install a part time kit on a 203. GEt a 208, or 205 , or some other transfer case, it's not like they are super rare these days. Don't wreck a 203 by turning it into a really poor performing 208..

Nothing is harmed by running in HI LOCK with hubs unlocked.

I drove the K5 in HI with the hubs locked - 100% of the time -BECAUSE IT IS really awesome.

14.4 mpg hiway on 33x12.50s from some guy that never considered fuel mileage...it didn't bother me cuz it WAS a LOT of fun!

I thought a 208 is a 203 in an aluminum case?

*edit*
The ONE issue I ever had with that truck came from using Loc and afterward I avoided it like the plague.

 

[Blue Ox]

I thought a 208 is a 203 in an aluminum case?

A 203 has an internal differential that allows it to operate in 4WD full time even on dry pavement. A 208 does not and is strictly for part time use in low traction conditions.

 

[Rusty Nail]

Weak!

Is that real? I don't know what the gear selection contains in the '88 but are you tellin me that I can't "4x4" 100% of the time anymore because np-208?

I did think to note the LACK of locking hubs equipped.. and since i'm a "return to OE" guy, it good right?. But it's full time though?

 

[Blue Ox]

If you want to wind up the drivetrain until something goes bang be my guest.

It probably has auto hubs which don't have the little dial on the outside.

 

[bucket]

Weak!

Is that real? I don't know what the gear selection contains in the '88 but are you tellin me that I can't "4x4" 100% of the time anymore because np-208?

I did think to note the LACK of locking hubs equipped.. and since i'm a "return to OE" guy, it good right?. But it's full time though?

You can leave the hubs locked in all the time, just with the shifter in 2 hi. Then when things get hairy, pop the shifter into 4 hi.

You must have auto hubs. They are known to fail.