Locking hubs for 85 BII
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Junior User
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 80
Likes: 0
From: Texas
Locking hubs for 85 BII
MY sisters are into muddbogging with a stock 2.8 BII and I want to weld the front axle. My ? is I know that the factor locking hubs will not hold up, does anyone know of a source to get aftermarket hubs that will hold up, or what can a person do to this setup to make it hold up? Thanks for any help.
Posting Guru
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 2,259
Likes: 0
From: Florida Hill Country
1st, don't weld the front, mini-spool the rear. 2nd, you better let your sisters drive it and you hide in the crowd because other wise, you will be the butt of many jokes!!!! 
I wouldn't worry about the warn hubs breaking because something else will if you weld it up.
I wouldn't worry about the warn hubs breaking because something else will if you weld it up.
Lead Driver
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 9,236
Likes: 12
From: Senoia, GA
as much as that motor puts out those factory hubs will take the 'abuse'
otherwise look into Warn or MileMarker...both highly regarded!
why not weld the front? i would never go back and if i didn't drive it on the road i would weld the rear too! no disadvantages here and i run 39" IROK's.
-cutts-
otherwise look into Warn or MileMarker...both highly regarded!
why not weld the front? i would never go back and if i didn't drive it on the road i would weld the rear too! no disadvantages here and i run 39" IROK's.
-cutts-
Thread Starter
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Junior User
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 80
Likes: 0
From: Texas
Thanks guys I have already welded the rear up, just thought I would do the front to help some more. RLH as for getting laughed at or the butt of jokes they run the 4 and 6 cylinder class and are sitting in 3rd and 4th place in points for the season
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Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 13,873
Likes: 3
From: Atlanta GA
From owning three BIIs (85/86/87) and having changed a few front axle shafts, I have to say I would go with a limited slip or power locker. A real locker or welded diff. will be too brutal on that Dana 28 in mud.
The factory axle shafts will easily twist and nuke UJs, I have done it with P235/75R15 tires. The quickest I have been able to change a front outer axle shaft is 70 minutes and that is with the spindle well lubed so it is not rusted on. You better get use to changing them if you weld the diff.
I doubt a stock BII has enough HP and torque to nuke a hub, plus, they are as easy to change as the tire. I never had one fail and if it did it would most likely be from hitting an object on the hub.
The thing I would look at replacing would be the driveshaft if it has a cardigan (sp?) joint instead of the normal two UJ driveshaft.
Make sure your snowshield is still there and covering the carb. linkage so the mud does not cake it up.
I would change out the sealed for life UJs (which probably are bad if stock) and put ones in with zerk fittings and grease the mud out of them after every outing, especially the outer right hand one. This will go a long way towards keeping the axle shaft ears intact.
The factory axle shafts will easily twist and nuke UJs, I have done it with P235/75R15 tires. The quickest I have been able to change a front outer axle shaft is 70 minutes and that is with the spindle well lubed so it is not rusted on. You better get use to changing them if you weld the diff.
I doubt a stock BII has enough HP and torque to nuke a hub, plus, they are as easy to change as the tire. I never had one fail and if it did it would most likely be from hitting an object on the hub.
The thing I would look at replacing would be the driveshaft if it has a cardigan (sp?) joint instead of the normal two UJ driveshaft.
Make sure your snowshield is still there and covering the carb. linkage so the mud does not cake it up.
I would change out the sealed for life UJs (which probably are bad if stock) and put ones in with zerk fittings and grease the mud out of them after every outing, especially the outer right hand one. This will go a long way towards keeping the axle shaft ears intact.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 13,873
Likes: 3
From: Atlanta GA
LOL! You have to find some use for that TTB!
I bet the whole Dana 44 TTB has to be 150+ pounds heavier then the TTB Dana 28.
So, the only drawback is ... weight. Then you lose the main benefit of a BII in mud, being well balanced front to rear and fairly light in the front. I think the Dana 35 might be a better choice with big tires.
I bet the whole Dana 44 TTB has to be 150+ pounds heavier then the TTB Dana 28.
So, the only drawback is ... weight. Then you lose the main benefit of a BII in mud, being well balanced front to rear and fairly light in the front. I think the Dana 35 might be a better choice with big tires.
