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BY
4x4Junkie
So
what are these Warn "Jeep" hubs you probably have heard about?
Warn actually makes two different versions of the same hub. They are
both "standard" hubs as per Warn's definitions of their
"Premium" and "Standard" locking hubs, but one is
much different. The factory 27-spline hubs on the Dana 35 axle are made
by Warn Industries and are the same hubs sold aftermarket under Warn's
P/N 29071 (manual hub). While these hubs are much stronger (and more
reliable) than the more common mechanical automatic locking hubs (also
made by Warn) that came with Ford's "Touch-Drive" electric 4x4
system, they are not as strong as the P/N 37780 hubs that Warn
introduced together with their full-float rear axle conversion kits for
the YJ and TJ Jeep Wranglers. Because these hubs were to be used on a
rear axle, they had to be very strong. This became the time Warn had to
finally upgrade their somewhat weak "Top-hat" style hubs.
The Jeep hub is physically no different on the outside than the standard
hub. It is a 100% direct replacement.
The
very first thing I noticed when I pulled one of them out of the box is
that they have much more weight to them. In the photos you can see they
are over a full pound heavier. This extra weight is almost entirely in
the alloy hub body. Failures of the standard hubs usually were the outer
end of the body busting off from torque, so this would only make sense.
Internally
the hubs are not much different. The internal splines for the clutch
gear to the hub body are a bit larger on the Jeep hub (hard to see in
photo).
One
thing I did notice was the standard hub has a roller bearing for the
axleshaft gear to ride on while unlocked. The Jeep hub uses a simple
copper bushing. Not sure if this was a cost cutting measure but I wonder
if the bushing will be shorter-lived for wear. This does not appear to
be something that would affect strength, however.
The
standard hub pictured here is circa 1994. To my understanding, the
current hubs sold under P/N 29071 also use a copper bushing.
These
hubs are the perfect solution when running a locked differential and
35-inch tires on your Ranger, Explorer or Bronco II. I have not heard of
these hubs failing yet.
Now
if Warn would only make obsolete P/N 29071 and update their application
sheets with P/N 37780, broken hubs on Rangers and Explorers could become
somewhat of a rarity.
The
availability of a "Premium" version with the brass dial would
be nice too. Warn also has a 30-spline version of these hubs
available (P/N 38370). I have heard of some upgrades to the Dana 35
using Dana 44 or Dana 50 shafts that are 30-spline. This would make a
great way to top off such a conversion. I do not know what would be
involved in fitting a 30-spline shaft through the wheel spindle, or if
its even possible. I just thought this was worth mentioning anyway for
anyone wanting to build the ultimate Dana 35 frontend.
 
Get
Your Jeep Hubs HERE
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