Install manual hubs on 4WD, impact on value and handling?

Hello everyone!
I have gone from 0 to 2 Jimnys in a month now One is a gen 4 and the other a gen 3 2006 diesel 86 HK cab 160 000 km.

I had problem with 4WD on the 2006 car from the beginning and the forum specialist narrowed it down to one front wheel hub that do not engaging. The car is under one month dealers warranty. The dealer is now suggesting to convert to manual hubs. I have just a general idea how that works but I think I could live with that. Some questions on the proposal from the shop.

-They say that one will have to turn a knob i the wheel center (hub)  when shifting from 2WD-4WD and also engaging  4WD from the panel switch. Have I understand it correctly?

-I guess that 4WD-L also would work that way?

-Would it effect the value on the car a lot?

-They argue that if they fix the not working hub to automatic function the other hub might brake in time. Would manual hubs be safer in the long run?

Thanks for any input!

I have always had manual locking hubs
Yes turn center of hub to engage 4x4 marked on the hub
or 4x2 to disengage 
i my opinion these will never let you down like vac hubs can
I would say it will not effect value 
If4x4 selected on hub push buttons will work like before 4h-4l

 

The vacuum system is very simple. Fixing or replacing the vacuum hubs should be cheaper than buying manual hubs, and maintains the correct operation of 4wd. For me manual hubs would make a Jimny less attractive to buy. My thinking is if someone can't work out how to maintain the vacuum system what else have they done incorrectly?

No change in handling, manual hubs will just the same as vacuum hubs.

When you think you might need 4WD, just set the hubs to the 4x4 position and then switch between 2WD, 4WD and 4WD-L on the push buttons as normal.

When you don’t end 4WD, just leave the hubs in 4x2 position.

There is one other advantage, with the front hubs open (4x2), you can select 4WD-L to give you low range but just to the rear wheels.

My vac hubs played up last year and I fitted manual hubs, I won’t go back. However, I kept the vac hubs and would consider putting them back on if I was going to sell and the new owner didn’t want manual hubs.

Robin

I have manual hubs because they're a less invasive way of obtaining 4x2 low range. You can get the same result by installing a switch in the 4x4 loom but that extra connection is always going to be there and is not as simple to remove as the hubs. Repairing the vacuum system even with hard lines is straightforward for most competent mechanics.

Do manual hubs reduce the resale price?

It will depend upon the potential buyer and how much homework they have done. If they know how the system works then yes it may impact the sale price as something on the car that isn't working as Suzuki intended. It's a haggle point or a deciding factor if they are looking at different cars. The car purchasing mantra is "check everything works" before you part with your cash.

However most new purchasers have no idea. Its also very difficult to find a Jimny that doesn't have bigger issues, rust, swivels, broken 4x4 system etc, so in reality its unlikely to be an issue. But I would be knocking you down 

 

On the other hand, the crafty upsell is

You can use 2wd low by engaging low on the transfer and not locking the hubs, which is useful for maneuvering a trailer.

So it is obviously worth more!

I have a trailer!

Adding 2wd low is a 20 minute modification on a Jimny with vacuum hubs, and then can be selected with a switch inside the car, so it's not particularly an advantage for manual hubs. If it's something you want then you can easily do it with whatever system you have.
I have manually selectable vacuum hubs in my Jimny using just 2 wires and a rocker switch, no cutting of the loom. Best of both worlds!

Coming from somebody who only 7 days ago bought his first Jimny manual hubs would have been negative for me, TBH I'm mature in age (not in mind), but I don't want to get out of the car & engage the hubs when I need them as likely or not it's going to be muddy & I don't want to get muddy   I would expected to pay less for manual hubs even though they would have cost the owner more, but I think it's a personal choice.

However if it's a warranty claim then it should go back to the cars original specification not what the dealer wants to give you.

I wouldn't get too hung up with getting out of the car to engage 4x4. It's very unlikely that you will ever be in a situation where you need 4x4 without some prior warning. If I am going off for a day on the lanes or the forecast is for snow then I lock the hubs in before I set off and leave them in, I then just use the buttons to get 4x4 as I need. Same goes if I'm intending to be towing out of fields. What I'm saying is you don't need to do the hubs each time you go in and out of 4x4.

I don't want to get out of the car to engage 4x4, it's snowing or axle deep in mud when I need it, why would I want to get out ?
I also have an RAC relay card and a mobile phone should it ever breakdown, don't see the need to carry spares.
it's a very personal thing this manual hub thing