Does anybody know if manual locking front hubs are avalible for the 2012 f150 or if there is some kind of kit.

 

Go to the sites of the manufacturers and check yourself. The best brands imho are these: Warn, Mile Marker and Superwinch.

 

I don't think it will ever happen.

I know lock out hub units are available for solid front axles.

http://spyntec.com/

Expensive = 1500.00 or so

 

The 4x4 F-150's use a CV joint whereas solid axles and the older Ford IFS axles used universal joints. I'm not certain that a manual locking hub is even possible on a CV axle.

I like not having a hub to pull apart every 30K miles to repack wheel bearings and re-grease the components in the hubs.

 

Did GM use manual locking hubs on any of their trucks for the past 10 or 15 years? They've been using IFS for their heavy duties for quite a while...

 

GM changed the 1500's over from solid axle to IFS in the 80's and went away from the mechanical hub at that time, IIRC.

 

It's possible, Toyota did it on their Tacomas for a long time.

 

No you cant put manual locking hubs on a newer ford.

And i see no reason why you would need to. The front vacuum operated system within the front axle is more than strong enough.

 

the current system might be strong enough, but it is a complex system and has been plagued with problems since the system started being used in '04.

I think simple is better, which is why I'm going to buy a Sd next time. That way I can get a manual T-case and manual hubs.

ETA, I see you have a '99, that system is totally different than the 04+. On yours vacuum pressure locks the front end so if you loose vacuum pressure you have no 4x4. On the newer trucks vacuum pressure keeps the front axle unlocked so if you loose vacuum pressure the axle locks. This is all good in theory, but Ford designed it so each hub is independant, so most of the time you end up with one hub loosing vacuum pressure and trying to lock while the other stays unlocked. Then you get an expensive repair bill to replace the IWE with the stripped teeth because it was trying to do the opposite of the other hub.

 

I realize that the 97-03 and 04-08 09-13 uses different systems. But all are based on similar principals when compared to pre 97's.

I honestly have not heard of many people with issues on the vacuum operated 4x4... at least on the 97-03 boards. Maybe 1-2 cases.

Maybe its more prominent on the newer stuff.

regardless i agree that you ought to get a SD if you want lockouts....

 

Interesting post, considering that while I was out in the pouring down rain tonight, my hubs would not lock. I have only had this 2010 for a few months, but I was thinking the same thing, "simpler is better" , and wondered about doing manual locks too. Extended warranty should cover it, but that doesn't matter if it's not there when you need it

 

I agree with "fordman" manual locking hubs is where its at. there is just to many things that can go wrong with vacuum operated anything