On very early model 4WD's, the front wheels were permanently joined to the front axles, so wherever you drove, the front diff, driveshaft, front axles, etc., all rotated, causing unnecessary wear as well as using more petrol to push around.

With a freewheeling hub, the front wheels are able to spin freely

You should always turn both hubs to the "LOCK" position before you need

to engage 4WD drive. If you move the transfer case lever to the 4WD HI or 4WD LOW position, all four wheels will be driven.

THEY DISCONNECT THE FRONT WHEELS FROM THE DRIVETRAIN.

Many times you hear stories of new 4WD owners getting bogged, spending ages digging themselves out, only to find that their freewheeling hubs have not been engaged. The humble freewheeling hub seems to cause a great deal of confusion to some people.

Note: Putting the lever into 4WD without locking the hubs means that the vehicle is still in 2WD, because the wheels are not locked onto the hubs.

SRODRV001B/04 USE THE FEATURES OF A 4WD TO DRIVE A VARIETY OF TERRAIN TYPES

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA 01a and 04e