big_johnson Posted April 30, 2004 Share Posted April 30, 2004 Just like the title says, I got 19.17 mpg with my newly installed warn manual hubs. A lot of stop and go traffic, but a decent amount of freeway also. This is about a 2mpg improvement over what I was getting before. I also filled up at a gas station that has repeatedly given me slightly lower fuel economy than other stations. Overall, I think this is a mod that every R50 owner should do. Just thought I'd share Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sw Posted April 30, 2004 Share Posted April 30, 2004 you know the rules Big J PICS PICS PICS btw where did the pics smiley go? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
big_johnson Posted April 30, 2004 Author Share Posted April 30, 2004 You know what, as soon as its light out here, I will take some pics and post them. I would have posted some as soon as I put the hubs on, but I figured that I'd wait until I got actual mileage results before sharing. All in good time Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
88pathoffroad Posted April 30, 2004 Share Posted April 30, 2004 What, this one? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sw Posted April 30, 2004 Share Posted April 30, 2004 yes 88 always has the answers Aaron can i employe you to be my personal organiser? sly Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
88pathoffroad Posted April 30, 2004 Share Posted April 30, 2004 Sheesh. I don't have that much spare time. On another note: Nice! It's always good to get better gas mileage in these days. Keep up the good work! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
big_johnson Posted May 1, 2004 Author Share Posted May 1, 2004 Nice! It's always good to get better gas mileage in these days. Keep up the good work! Thanks . When I'm done with all my fuel saving mods, I plan to be getting over 21 mpg (hopefully) I would have done an install write-up, but I couldn't have done it any better than this guy: Dean Here are some pics. They aren't great, but its 30 degrees, gray, and snowing here so I decided to take them in the garage. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
big_johnson Posted May 1, 2004 Author Share Posted May 1, 2004 another... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaafallon Posted May 5, 2004 Share Posted May 5, 2004 Are the manual hubs of any value on a 2003 Pathfinder? If you're getting roughly 10% better mileage I'd think it would also contribute to better longevity for the drive train. jim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
big_johnson Posted May 6, 2004 Author Share Posted May 6, 2004 They might work on a 2003, it depends if you have the all wheel drive or the part time 4 wheel drive. If you have the latter, it will give you the same results I got. If you have the former, don't do it, it will mess up the all wheel drive system. And your right, it does contribute less wear and tear on the drivetrain. However, the front end on R50's is built to take the normal wear and tear that occurred before the hubs, so the hubs are not a huge improvement in that area. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DJ Dank Posted May 6, 2004 Share Posted May 6, 2004 Looking good BigJ!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
squam1 Posted May 7, 2004 Share Posted May 7, 2004 Just to clear up some confusion about Pathfinder AWD... it is SELECTABLE - as in - in normal operation it is in 2WD high - turn the knob and you shift into AWD... shift the knob again and you are in 4WD HI... throw the tranny into neuteral and turn the knob again and you are in 4WD LO... Consequently, Manual hubs will not harm a thing!!! The hubs are locked ALL THE TIME for Pathfinders with All Mode 4WD, so there is no problem installing manual hubs... see pics for All Mode 4WD settings... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
88pathoffroad Posted May 7, 2004 Share Posted May 7, 2004 Eeeeeh, it's not so much a matter of the hubs being locked all the time. Newer Pathys have drive flanges instead of hubs. The wheels are simply locked fulltime to the axles via splined flanges that are bolted to the brake discs. The selectability comes from disconnecting the transfer case via the switch on your dash. Just to clarify. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
big_johnson Posted May 7, 2004 Author Share Posted May 7, 2004 OK, I get it now. I guess the hubs would just have to be locked if you went into all wheel drive mode, I didn't know it was selectable. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
97SE Posted May 7, 2004 Share Posted May 7, 2004 sweet...I'm ordering mine next week. Those pics are great. I'm also going to do some brake work and gear-oil change while I'm at it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lewisnc100 Posted May 7, 2004 Share Posted May 7, 2004 I've had my manual hubs since last October and now that we're finally getting the summer formulated fuel I've seen my mileage steadily increasing. I hope I end up with the 2MPG you're seeing, right now I'm a little over 1MPG increase, but I need to run a bunch of tanks through to get a good idea of the difference. One point on maintenance, when you get ready to repack your bearings Warn sells a hub service kit with new gaskets, I think the part# is 29061. I've also heard of people going with a silicon sealer instead of the paper gasket if you run it through water since Warn recommends replacing them each time they get submerged. Also make sure to lock the front hubs every once in a while during the warmer months to keep everything lubricated. As far as the all mode 4WD, sounds like it would be fine to install assuming you always have your hubs locked when you switch to either AWD or 4HI, otherwise your transfer case will be toast. Doesn't sound like a application for manual hubs to me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
88pathoffroad Posted May 7, 2004 Share Posted May 7, 2004 The transfer case will be perfectly fine, man. How do you figure it'd have anything wrong with it if the hubs are unlocked and it's in 4WD? The front axleshafts would simply spin inside the hubs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
squam1 Posted May 7, 2004 Share Posted May 7, 2004 Zactly! 88 - right on about the Flanges... dunno why I keep saying "hubs" - force of habit I guess... flanges flanges flanges -thnkboutit- Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lewisnc100 Posted May 7, 2004 Share Posted May 7, 2004 The transfer case will be perfectly fine, man. How do you figure it'd have anything wrong with it if the hubs are unlocked and it's in 4WD? The front axleshafts would simply spin inside the hubs. You're assuming that the shift would occur while stopped or moving very slowly. The 96+ Pathfinders can be shifted into 4WD while moving at speed. With the hubs unlocked nothing is spinning in front of the transfer case. Now you shift into 4WD with the hubs unlocked and the front driveshaft, front diff, CVs etc. all have to go from a complete stand still up to that speed immediately. Not good for a transfer case or any of those components. If you engaged 4WD while at a stand still then I agree that they would just spin inside the hubs. Here's two posts on this topic: http://65.166.200.170/ubbthreads/showflat....true#Post120516 http://65.166.200.170/ubbthreads/showflat....true#Post122273 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
88pathoffroad Posted May 7, 2004 Share Posted May 7, 2004 I see, I see. My bad. I had to read those AC posts and think REAL hard about it before my brain joggled facts into place. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaafallon Posted May 7, 2004 Share Posted May 7, 2004 I wrote to Warn. They don't make, or intend (as of now) to make any sort of manual hub for the 2003 model. However, from what I read here, it appears that I may have "flanges" instead of "hubs." So uhh... what's the difference? :confused: Thanks, jim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
87pathy Posted May 7, 2004 Share Posted May 7, 2004 Hubs are selectable weather they are automatic or manual, if you have automatic hubs, they engage when the vehicle is put into 4 wheel drive or in the case of a new pathy AWD and the manual hubs must be engaged by hand or hammer. flanges are not selectable, they are always engaged weather in 4 wheel drive AWD or 2 wheel drive, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lewisnc100 Posted May 7, 2004 Share Posted May 7, 2004 This site might help, very good pics on a Pathfinder hub disassembly and install of manual hubs. Take note of picture 6c, it shows the drive flange with grooves that mate with the grooves on the spindle. The drive flange is then replaced with the manual hubs which can be locked or unlocked from the grooves on the spindle. http://groups.msn.com/xplorx4/modwarnpremiummanualhubs.msnw Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaafallon Posted May 7, 2004 Share Posted May 7, 2004 But, as I understand it, there are no Hubs that can be put on the 2003 Pathfinder. Is that correct? I'd prefer to have manual hubs as the times that I need 4 X 4 drive is, by far, the exception rather than the rule. Therefore it would be nice to be able to improve my mileage while reducing wear and tear on the equipment. With gas currently at $2.27 (87 octane) a gallon, any savings are worthy of consideration. jim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
squam1 Posted May 7, 2004 Share Posted May 7, 2004 as far as I know, and I've checked the warn site - you can install premium manual hubs on all new pathfinders (the redesigned 05 may be an exception) - warn has a part number for up to 01's and they haven't changed between 01 and 04... see link: http://www.warn.com/truck/hubs/prem_hub_nissan_app.shtml Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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