Replacing auto free-wheel hubs with fixed hub setup

[Welsh_farmer]

hi there from the other side of the globe

does anyone know a simple way of swapping from the factory auto free-wheel front hubs on a GQ axle to a permanent fixed hub set-up. The truck is only to be used for compeittion so doesn't have to be very elaborate, just strong. Thought about milling down the outer housing so it is permanently engaged or welding the 2 part cam thingy together in the lock-position. This is surely a common modification in the Nissan world of OZ. How is it done?

Thanks

Mark

[Welsh_farmer]

Has no-one ever done this, or are auto-free-wheel hubs not common in OZ?

Or are they simply reliable and strong enough that I don't really need to do anything to them?

Cheers

Mark

[awill4x4]

Welsh Farmer, here's a link to someone who's converted his auto hubs to manual, it may be worth a try.
Regards Andrew.
http://www.patrol4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=6524

[naif]

ive done this on my 93 RX, it had allready been fitted with AVM locking hub setup in which one rusted in the open position, after some online research i found the AVM hubs where apparently very weak.

from my local 4wd mechanical store i purchased a second hand genuine nissan GQ locking hub including the locking cap that slides onto the spline and is held on by a C clip, i also had to purchase some spacer in whcih mine didnt have. and also some longer hex bolts from the engineering shop as the ones from my AVM hubs where too short.

so now i have 1 genuine nissan and one AVM hub, avm's look nice but apparently not very strong.

[nzdarin]

The auto/manual hubs are only beaten in strenth by the factory manual hubs. All aftermarket manual hubs are weak and a lot of guys use them as they break before the CV's. (which is what I do). If you just want them locked all the time then just leave the auto/manuals there. The only bad thing is not being able to have low 2wd.