However, this does bring up the additional cost of a quality OEM unit bearing from a dealership versus a low-quality aftermarket part from some budget parts house, a fact that axle builders who use unit bearings will back up. One major advantage to an RHS is that the spread between the two bearings on the spindle should, hypothetically, deal with the leverage of big tires better. But when you look at the massive F-450/F-550 unit bearing used by Ford and the fact that it is designed for a 7,000-pound load, it starts to be a moot point. That said, the massive unit bearings in the Ford Super Dutys and the new unit bearings in the Jeep JK Wranglers are very different from those of older Jeeps, Chevys, Fords, and Dodges as over the years they have improved. There is also the argument that unit bearings will just fail one day and your wheel will fall off at highway speeds, but in reality there is going to be some noise when either a unit bearing or an RHS starts to fail, and simply jacking up the vehicle and checking for front-end slop, as you should do regularly with any modified vehicle, should let you know if either is in need of some work.
Also many people argue that unit bearings are more expensive and less common at parts stores than bearings and races. But should your bearing be ignored and eventually fail, then add in the cost of a new spindle and maybe a hub and the price difference starts to diminish. One big factor is that without selectable front hubs your unit bearing is going to diminish fuel economy because it will be requiring the front axleshafts to spin constantly.
I personally think the tide is changing from when rebuilding your hubs was king to the time of the unit bearing where you don't need to get as greasy. And even though there are kits to replace unit bearings with spindles and hubs, there are not yet kits to replace spindles and hubs with unit bearings. I run hubs and spindles on most of my vehicles, but I just built an axle in last month's issue and used the big Ford unit bearing because I've started to see some benefits. I often think "which part I would want if I was crossing the Amazon Jungle or the Sahara Desert and my life depended on it." The rebuildable hub would have been my first choice, but if I have a spare factory unit bearing with me, I know I can change it quicker, it doesn't take up any more space in my truck than a set of bearings, seals, and grease, and I can change it without getting sand or mud in the hub or needing a special spindle nut socket. I think it comes down to personal preference. I prefer the rebuildable style currently, but I'm learning to enjoy the easy unit-bearing lifestyle.
Q I just got a little promotion at work, which is great, but I had to transfer to another plant that is a 45-minute drive one way. I needed something good on gas so I sold my '92 Chevy K1500 (my daily driver and off-roader) and bought an '03 Ford Escape. Don't laugh at me yet, it still has four-wheel drive! I want to make it a little more capable off-road, maybe even get a little more power out of the 3.nothing V-6 (without sacrificing gas mileage). I've looked online but can't seem to find anything other than rice-burner stuff and this $20 mod chip that promises 50-plus horsepower, 50-plus lb-ft of torque, 20 mpg, and rocket boosters or something.
Josh B.
via nuts@4wheeloffroad.com
A You have done what so many people are doing these days, selling their trucks or SUVs to buy newer fuel-efficient vehicles so they don't have to pay as much at the pump. The problem I see is that you now have a less-competent vehicle. It has all-wheel drive, without a low-range transfer case. I don't consider it a true four-wheel-drive, and I'm sure you are paying more on it than you owed on your '92 Chevy. Plus very few performance-enhancing upgrades will actually increase fuel mileage, especially if you want it to increase off-road performance as well. And many engine upgrades also require running premium fuel, adding more cost. I'm not saying get rid of the Escape now, but I am passing on your plight as an example to others. Don't sell your 4x4; rather, buy an old Honda Civic, Ford Pinto, or VW bug that gets good mileage and can be purchased for a lower buy-in cost, drive it back and forth to work every day, and then take your truck wheeling on weekends. You'll save money and you'll save wear and tear on your off-road truck (those big expensive tires will last longer).