Been over thinking this for a bit and need another opinion. I have a 94 hi-jet climber (diff LOCK in the rear). It has the pnuematic 4x4 engagement on the right side of the front diffential, Std 4-speed with Hi/low range. 1) Is the front driveshaft supposed to be engaged all the time? Hi, low, 2x4, 4x4, etc? 2) If the truck is running in 4x4 and I have it on jack stands on all 4 corners should I be able to stop both front wheels from turning with light pressure? Question #1 is because I'm thinking of welding up my front diff. In 2x4, with the right front axle disengaged, if the drive shaft was not engaged I should not run into turning issues on pavement, right? Even if the driveshaft is engaged all the time would I run into steering issues? Question 3 or 6, depending on if anyone is counting: Does anyone have an extra front gear section from a 94 that they want to get rid of? Thanks in advance for any help on this, Tony
1) Yes to all 2) You should be able to stop one or the other but not both at the same time. Why are you considering welding your front diff ??
Re-why? I am able to stop both front wheels, I wonder now what is broke up front? I'd weld up the front to make myself a "Lincoln" locker, Miller welder in my case but it's all the same. That way when I engage 4x4 I have full lock front (and rear because it's a factory "climber"), all 4 tires will drive. With the front drive shaft turning all the time from the transfer case I would end up with front-left, right-rear driving all the time, even in 2x4. Not really a problem since mine is pretty much 99% offroad use.
Either your transfer case isn't engaging the front driveshaft or most likely the vacuum controlled diff actuator isn't working. Or as you say... you broke something....
On the '94 the front drive shaft will turn in 2wd or 4wd. The vacuum actuator connects the axle in 4wd. Here is a simple test. With your truck on the ground, with the transmission in gear and your 4wd button not activated, try to turn the front driveshaft by hand. If the shaft will not turn your trouble is in your front axle. If it turns, your trouble is in your transfer case. My guess is an actuator malfunction.
Seems to have been the actuator Seems to have been the actuator. Is there a modification a guy can do to get the x-fer case to disconect in 2x4? I want to put in a spool, or weld up the front differential and would like the front drive shaft to not be engaged all the time. Thanks...
New actuator Is there someone or someplace that sells new actuators for the front axle on these things? Seems to be a very common application for push button 4x4. Mine is working but does not seem to be very strong, I have already replaced all the vacuum lines etc.
Hey SS I have a 84 Hijet open diffs F&R but manual hubs. I'm thinking of going the same route lincoln locker up front and just free up my hubs when on the road or in 2x4. I do about %60 off road. How'd this work out for you?
Highroost, I have yet to do the mod, so no answer to the question. I will be doing something soon as I put tracks on and an open front dif really is a pain, so much rolling resistance. I should be pulling it into the shop in the next month to see what I can figure out. I'm thinking of doing something "reversable", like some plates I can bolt in the dif to lock the axles when the tracks are on, and remove them from the summer months. Will post what I come up with... SS