Replies

npca-gareth · Post by **npca-gareth** » Tue Dec 26, 2000 10:27 am

Hi All, Having posted a genuine question, your total lack of response is ;ore than a little disappointing. I've been in on discussion forum's on several specialist topics around the globe, and most have the curtousy to welco;e and encourage new posters with at least an acknowledgement, and perhaps some advice. But I guess your group is too cliquie to both with us neophyte, 4x4 users. Pity as I enjoy forums. Happy New year to you all nonetheless. I'll look elsewhere for my advice. cheers Gareth (Paris, France)

npca-jeepy · Post by **npca-jeepy** » Tue Dec 26, 2000 12:05 pm

I am sorry Gareth that nobody could help you withyour information. Honestly, I am always more thanhappy to help people with their problems, but I havenever even SEEN a Patrol newer than 1972 except in magazines and certainly not worked on one. I thinkthat is almost certainly the case with everyone onthis site that lives in the US. Sorry we could nothelp you with your question, but don't forget us.We just aren't fortunate enough to have access to thenew models.-Jeffjeepcj_6@yahoo.co

npca-derryl · Post by **npca-derryl** » Wed Dec 27, 2000 1:12 am

Gareth, Thank you so very much for your sincere and heartfelt good wishes for the new year. I am certain we all wish you the same. I personally would like to apologize for not responding swiftly to your very important question. Please allow me to do so now. I own a 1969 Nissan Patrol. It is my first 4x4 as well, which by your definition makes me a fellow neophyte. I have never tried to lock the hubs and then drive in 2WD. After reading your letter so justifiably admonishing our "clique" I decided that the least I could do was risk the welfare of my Patrol to determine the answer to your question. I went out, unlocked the door, climbed in the Patrol, started the engine, pulled out on the street and parked, I then opened the door, climbed out of the rig, locked the front hubs, climbed back in and drove around the block a few times. Of course, being Oregon, it was raining while I did this. I listened carefully of any sound that would indicate damage was occurring and I paid close attention to the feel of the vehicle. I could not detect any problems. I admit that this is a rather crude and simple experiment but it was the best I could do with my limited skills and my little spare time in this busy holiday season. I would very much advise you to test this out with caution and to continue to seek the good council of more experienced 4x4ers. Finally I want to thank you for politely reminding us poor Americans of our unforgivable habit of being rude and unresponsive when our friends on the continent are need. After all, it did take my grandfather two years of training to get around to dying on a little beach in a part of France called Normandy. So please except our invitation to give us a second chance at earning your worthy respect. Sincerely, Derryl James

npca-alex · Post by **npca-alex** » Wed Dec 27, 2000 10:03 am

Dear Gareth, I am sorry that you were made to feel that way and jumped to that negative conclusion about our club. As co-manager of the club I believe that I can safely answer for most of the members that the genuine reason that your posting lacked replies was that indeed we have no experience with your type of Patrol and felt we could not offer an adequate answer to your question. We are a very friendly and accepting group people and we would never intentionally slight anyone. I hope that you give us another chance and remember that most of us do not get to enjoy the same Patrol luxuries that you do. We have a number of Australian members that are fortunate enough to live amongst the newer models of Patrols, but here in the U.S. only 2,616 Patrols were imported between 1962 and 1969, and of those best estimates are that there are only about 500 left driving on the roads. In the whole of North America there is one MQ Patrol and it is in Canada and the owner is not an active participant of the club. In fact, Patrols newer than 25 years old are not even eligible for importation into the U.S. so we have no chance of ever getting them here

Again, I hope that you give us another chance and continue being an active part of this community. Thanks, Alex.

npca-jeepy · Post by **npca-jeepy** » Thu Dec 28, 2000 9:32 pm

Well, after some thinking and tooling around I believethat I may have an answer for the question that started all of this. I have a 1969 that has nolocking hubs. I also have another with 1 locking hub.The general rule of thumb is that if you leave the front hubs locked your gas mileage is going to go downthe pot but it really does not harm the vehicle in anydrastic way. The two front wheels are allowed tospin against one another thanks to a differential andthe spider gears in it. There is no "fighting" resistance between the 2 wheels. IF the vehicle wasin 4X4 then one of the front wheels and one of the rear wheels would be clashing. On my truck the hubsare locked and all you can do is move it in and outof 4X4. This was common practice many years ago. Itno longer is done on vehicles. I would ASSUME that the truck could be driven with the front axel lockedon dry pavement so long as the 4X4 was NOT engaged.I am NOT SURE of the implications this might haveon a newer vehicle that is much more fine tuned andmay not be able to take the abuse. It is best totalk to other owners of similar vehicles. Sorry that this was all I could give you.-Jeff

npca-gareth · Post by **npca-gareth** » Fri Dec 29, 2000 9:04 am

Hi All, Once again many thanks for the advice and info. Best Regards to all. cheers Gareth

npca-greaterfox · Post by **npca-greaterfox** » Thu Jan 04, 2001 11:57 am

Gareth, you can always leave the hubs locked if you'd like. Just don't have the 4wd engaged on pavement, especially around turns. My jeep has a U-joint to each front tire, and I ruined both because the 4wd was engaged. But, it's good to lock them once a month anyway to allow the lubricants to circulate a little.

npca-greaterfox · Post by **npca-greaterfox** » Thu Jan 04, 2001 12:02 pm

P.S. I'm still waiting for a response to my question too. I would also like to commend the web master for a very nice site. KUDOS!!!! And, go easy on the young drivers, we were all there once. Of course, if they're not cooperative in particular situations, then they should get their tails kicked.

npca-gareth · Post by **npca-gareth** » Fri Jan 05, 2001 5:29 pm

Cheers Foxie On short journies when I know I'm going offroad I leave them locked now, unlocking when I'm going out onto a motorway for instance. We've had both snow followed by torrential rain which was a piece of cake for a 4WD, I even helped a guy in a van out today who got bogged down. It's a big vehicle for Europe, where small cars are the norm and you get a real sense of power. Guys who would normally cut you up, slow and stop to let you by........ I love it! cheers GarethPs I haven't tried it in the city yet. Paris has such narrow streets, and getting into certain underground carparks would be a nighmare.