I just read the artical about changing from auto to manual hubs in a zukiworld artical. How weak is the drive train on the new Vitara's?  Is the shift on the fly really that weak of a part? I do not do anything crazy but want to have confidence in my truck when I do go offroad. I hope that I am just overreacting  and just need a little reasurance.

Thanks.

Clay

 All it means is that instead of having manual or automatic hubs, it has what are called drive flanges. They just have a steel plate that is splined on the inside. The half shafts, differential, and front driveline spin just like having the hubs locked in. There is no weakness about it. The main problem that I can see, is fuel economy reduced. If you have any concerns about the flange vs hub theory, just plain and simple, change the flanges to either the sammy or trackick hubs.

On the same kind of topic, would the kick auto hubs fit a sammy with out mods?  just for street driving in the winter time!

All it means is that instead of having manual or automatic hubs, it has what are called drive flanges. They just have a steel plate that is splined on the inside. The half shafts, differential, and front driveline spin just like having the hubs locked in. There is no weakness about it. The main problem that I can see, is fuel economy reduced. If you have any concerns about the flange vs hub theory, just plain and simple, change the flanges to either the sammy or trackick hubs.

I have close-up pics of this in my webshots of when I did the manual hub install. Other thing to note about using manual lock-outs, if you do break something in the front axle, atleast you can disconnect the rotation of the axle shaft from the rotating tire. The manual hubs give this. If you still had the drive flanges, the front axle would rotate with the tire rotation.

 Yes the kick auto hubs would work on a sammy, but I would never recommend using the auto hubs on anything. The autos are junk, but if you must use them.....

Jagular7,

Is there a specific reason or reasons you went with Super Wich vs Warn hubs?  I am looking at doing the same conversion but don't know which manual hub to use.

Thanks

I went from auto hubs to Warn premium manual hubs.
I did it because Warn also sells "hub fuses" for their premium hubs.

The idea of the hub fuse, is that IT grenades, instead of something else in your drive-train.  They're pretty easy to replace, and cost about $20 per pair.

Still haven't shatered one yet.  Maybe at Moab...

Bobzuki,
Keep us updated on the Fuses. I have been wondering if they will blow apart before a CV :-/ And the last time I broke a half shaft, I blew apart the hub also I'm going to run my stock hub untill I get more info on the Warn fuses.
Zig

Jagular7,

Is there a specific reason or reasons you went with Super Wich vs Warn hubs?  I am looking at doing the same conversion but don't know which manual hub to use.

Thanks

I got a set of Warns, they were new, but ran into a slight snag when installing them. I think the pics are in the album. I belong to a local 4wd club here in KC. We have a truck sponsor (ass. manager is part of club). I get things for jobber cost. I got a set of Superwinchs. These installed rather easy. Besides, the supers are guaranteed for life with me. Simple enough.
I was able to exchange the Warn's at my local Advance, so I have a good set in the garage collecting dust. Just haven't gotten around to posting to Ebay for the sale. I've placed it before in the for sale section here.

Jagular7, How hard was the swap. I am interested in doing it on my 03 Vit. Anything special needed? Do you happen to have the par # for the superwinch hubs.

Thanks

Clay

Jagular7,

I'm interested in the Warn hubs you have.  But what problems did you have with them?

Thanks

Has anyone really had a problem with the stock one's??

I'm going to keep them untill I have a real problem with them.  I do need to get to the junk yard and get a spair.

Has anyone really had a problem with the stock one's??

Well, I've HEARD about people having trouble with the auto hubs disengaging, which is why I went to manuals in the first place, and the fuses on the Warn premium hubs is what swayed me in that direction.

Jagular7, How hard was the swap. I am interested in doing it on my 03 Vit. Anything special needed? Do you happen to have the par # for the superwinch hubs.

Thanks

Clay

Swap is as easy in the pics. The pics show basically the step by step procedure. Only thing necessary is a metric socket for the drive flange bolts (13mm IIRC), 1/4" hex key for Superwinch lockout hubs, and can't recall the hex key of the bolts. That's basically it. (I bought the hubs back in 11/11 and I thought I provided some info here.)

As for p/n 400538 is what is on the receipt.

Jagular7,

I'm interested in the Warn hubs you have.  But what problems did you have with them?

Thanks

Only trouble I had was with the alignment of the teeth in the housing and when I tried to force, the plastic lip to the cover cracked. I did the install back near 11/11. Check in the old messages for better details.
Not everyone had the trouble I had with the Warns. I was able to replace them with a new set. These are setting on the shelf currently.