Advice Needed: Choosing a Manual Locking Hub Conversion Kit

[tjsc5f]

The rotor is a stock full cast rotor from a 90- early 99 Wrangler. The lock out hub is what is known as the "Ranger" hub since it the same in appearance as the stock locking hub on some of the Rangers. The center bore is opened up to just snugly fit the back section of the bearing hub and then the rotor is mounted to the hub flange with the press in lug studs.

I have WJ knuckles on my TJ. Will a set of WJ rotors work if I have the centers bored out and have the 5x4.5 patterns machined to match the diameter dimensions on the rotors that were supplied with the small hub Yukon kit?

 

[Captain Phoenix]

Yukon Spin Free Locking Hub Conversion Kit, P/N YA WU-07, retains 5 x 4 ½ lug pattern

I'm assuming that you don't need to use the stub shafts that come in that kit? Will the 27 spline outers of RCV axles work without issue?

 

[toximus]

I'm assuming that you don't need to use the stub shafts that come in that kit? Will the 27 spline outers of RCV axles work without issue?

No. You need CVJ44-SPIN.

 

[Captain Phoenix]

You need CVJ44-SPIN.

So the only option is to run the big hub kit and convert to 5x5.5 wheels?

 

[toximus]

So the only option is to run the big hub kit and convert to 5x5.5 wheels?

I suggest calling RCV on monday. Those guys are very knowledgeable.

 

[Captain Phoenix]

I need a spindle, bearing hub, bearings, and spindle nuts and I can make the small kit work with the 15-16 and Super 16" kit most likely. I haven't done a small 17, but lots of large kit 17's. It's just some minor machine work to the rotor, fitment to check everything and I make it all play nicely together.

Have you had an opportunity to do this yet? What is the fitment of the small conversion kit with your brakes?

 

[mrblaine]

Have you had an opportunity to do this yet? What is the fitment of the small conversion kit with your brakes?

I've done them so many ways it is hard to keep track of them exactly. What are you trying to do, exactly?

 

[Captain Phoenix]

I've done them so many ways it is hard to keep track of them exactly. What are you trying to do, exactly?

I'm trying to figure out if the Yukon hub conversion kits, or just the small one, will work with your 16" brake kit with requiring major modification.

 

[mrblaine]

I'm trying to figure out if the Yukon hub conversion kits, or just the small one, will work with your 16" brake kit with requiring major modification.

I've done both the large and small conversions on the 16" brake kit. Rotors have to be bored out, sometimes a new pattern drilled to reduce the hole size if Yukon fucks up the wheel studs. The ghost shoulder is supposed to look like the black one.

 

[Captain Phoenix]

Rotors have to be bored out

By how much?

 

[mrblaine]

By how much?

Enough to fit over the snout on the back of the bearing hub.

 

[Captain Phoenix]

This is the reason I am converting to manual locking hubs - to stop the source of the vibration/harmonics that developed after re-gearing to 5.38.

How common are those vibes? Is it basically guaranteed to happen when regearing to 5.38 or do only a small fraction of people get them?

 

[mrblaine]

How common are those vibes? Is it basically guaranteed to happen when regearing to 5.38 or do only a small fraction of people get them?

My experience is about 50/50.

 

[Captain Phoenix]

My experience is about 50/50.

At least there's hope.