I don't care what the reason is...but I think that Calmini's lift kit for the GV just took a nosedive in my books.  I can't believe you have to switch from automatic to manual locking hobs.  One of the main reasons I hated my little '92 sidekick was jumping out and locking the fucking hubs.  Since I bought my '02 tracker I can switch in and out of 4wd whenever I want to.  

Mr. Calmini...you think I'm going back to that old tech get out and lock 'em bullshit....NO WAY.  I think I just made up my mind to call up rockyroadoutfitters and get me a smaller and simpler lift kit.  

How many times I would have to get the fucking pliers just to unlock the frozen/stuck hubs...in the middle of winter with my poor little fingers turning blue.... ....OOOHH!  I hated those manual locking hubs.  You think I'm going to eliminate my nice autolockinghubs just for the sake of a lift?  No Way!

That is what I thought at first, then I realized a couple of things.

1)  The stock hubs are not auto locking hubs, they are full time hubs.  This means your CV shafts are spinning all of the time and when you are not in 4wd they still spin, just they are disengaged from the diff.  So if you install manual hubs and leave them locked all weekend (or winter if it snows) then shifting in and out of 4wd works the same.  But you can unlock them during the week while you are doing your daily driving.

2)  It's not really anything special about the Calmini lift which requires the manual locking hubs (I don't think) it's just the increased CV angles put more strain on the CV shafts which are already a weak link in the GV/Tracker so it would probably be a good idea whether you install the 2.5" Calmini or the 2" RRO lift.

I'm guessing the engineers thought this was fine because you are just spinning CV shafts and not a Solid Axle, but when you put more strain on the system with increased angles, bigger tires etc. then it starts to show some weakness.

I hope I have all of that information straight, it was actually one of my first questions when I joined this board.

Also take a look at this article: [link]www.zukiworld.com/month_030104/feature_tsb_shiftontheflyremoval.htm[/link]

In addition all the rotating mass of the front being permanently locked in creates more drag for the engine and thereby results in lower mpg.

My Ranger has manual hubs.  About the first serious snowfall I lock them in and leave them in lock until the first serious signs of spring.  I just unlocked mine today...been in lock since November.  Lost a mpg or two but otherwise no harm.  Same thing for wheeling, just lock them in when you leave for the trail.  Unlock when done, or after washing if you don't want to get your hands dirty.

So who's done the hub swap and what hubs did you use?  Anyone know if you can use Aisin Samurai or Kick/Tracker hubs?

if your hubs are freezing in cold weather then you have moisture in there and they need cleaning and repacking.

for the most part auto hubs suck as they are less reliable than manual hubs.

Thats why im changing my Front pernament locks to adjustable hub locks .

My 2002 Gv front seals on the diff both sides pissing fluid and i also think my passenger side axle is a bit loose so makes me wonder if all the KM fucked shit up.

On my 92 i leave them locked in the winter unless im going all highway with no snow. Summer lock them only for the trails.