AVM Xtreme Performance Hubs For The Dana 35

BY: 4x4Junkie

After a solid 19 years of faithful service from my Warn 4WD Locking Hubs (the pt# 37780 “Jeep” hubs I previously reported on HERE), I finally managed to break a passenger side hub climbing up a rock face.

While looking for a replacement, I found to my dismay that Warn no longer sells the hubs. However, it popped up in my searches that AVM (a company from Brazil) now has a set of “Xtreme Performance” hubs available for Rangers & Explorers with the TTB Dana 35 front axle.

AVM has long-had 4WD hubs for the limited run of 1998-2000 A-arm IFS Rangers, so it certainly perked up my curiosity to see these.

As was the case with the Warn hubs, there are two versions available: AVM pt# 465HP, and # 465XP. The 465HP appears to be a replacement for Warn’s pt# 29071, while the 465XP replaces Warn #37780.

With AVM basically being the only choice now, I purchased a set of the 465XP hubs (like the Warn hubs, they are sold in pairs).

Unlike the Warn hubs (which have a body made from a type of alloy), the AVM XP hubs are made from cast steel (verified with a magnet), making them 3/4-pound heavier.

The locking dial at first glance looks like it might be (red painted) cast metal, but (like the Warn) it is plastic.

Visually looking them over, I see nothing in my opinion to suggest they couldn’t stand up at least as well as the Warns to offroad (ab)use. But time will tell…

AVM includes an “Auto-to-Manual hub conversion kit” (spindle nut kit) with each set of hubs (something Warn always charged extra for), which consists of two new wheel bearing locknuts and a locking washer for each side. Since I already had manual hubs, I held onto my old hardware. Having spares is nice (I did have a locknut break one time in the past while servicing the bearings).

The AVM hub employs a slightly simpler internal mechanism than the Warn. The locking dial both pushes and pulls the clutch gear (seen here inside the hub) in & out of engagement with the inner gear (removed from hub), whereas the Warn only pushes the clutch gear into engagement with the inner gear (relying on a spring to disengage the gear)

As I write this, so far I have put two good wheeling trips on these hubs (Oct. 2024, one trip on Swamp Lake trail, and one trip to Coyote Lake Trail, both quite-rugged trails in California’s Sierra Mtns.), along with multiple more-local trips, which so far has easily proven their strength is superior to the old #29071 Warn hubs.

I will be sure to submit updates here if any events happen, or if I receive reports of breakage from other users.