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As for free hubs not making a difference on a Gen I, the Gen I only has freewheel hubs. The question then is are they auto or manual. The Gen II has fixed flanges and a CAD, central axle disconnect. You need a setup like the CAD, or more specifically, the fixed flanges, in order to have the shift-on-the-fly of the Gen II.


The above is correct, but the important part that affects fuel mileage and parts longevity is that in a Gen II the front axles and differential are being turned by the front wheels whenever the vehicle is moving. Manual hubs allow the wheels to be disconnected, eliminating that extra parasitic drag and wear on the axles.

95 Montero SR
3.8 MIVEC, Advance headers, 2 1/2" exhaust, Magnaflow muffler, OME shocks & rear springs, 2" body lift, 3" tank lift, 4.90s, TRE front locker, factory rear locker, Roger Brown Rock Sliderz, 315/75r16 (35") tires, Sport big brakes