Just wondered if anyone that locks their hubs in for the winter has to do any freeway driving, and if you leave them locked in when you do.

I don't have to drive freeway often, when I do, its less than a couple hundred miles total.

The way the weather has been lately, you never know when you'll run into slick or snowy roads.

 

I have I have also forgotton to unlock them and went over 100 miles. If your bearings and front end components are in good shape the only side effect will be lower mpg. I just flipped the switch for the first time today since rebuilding my entire front end. I was glad to feel the hubs lock and grip the road.

 

My drive to work is 45 miles one way and mostly mountainous the entire way. I would lock/unlock my hubs 50 times if I unlocked them when I didn't need them. I just leave them locked in the whole way if it gets bad enough, but I don't go over 55 with them locked in.

 

I have driven with the hubs locked on the highway at 65 or so mph with no problems.

 

For me it is a safety issue, not that I'm worried about messing something up on the truck. If the roads are bad enough I need my hubs locked in, then the roads are too bad for me to be doing much more than 40-50 mph in most places.

 

I leave them locked all winter, even at 65 mph.

 

I would like to leave them locked, but the growling due to tight turn radius's are a turn off.

 

New-to-me truck so I have not used the 4x4 function before. I've read the Operator's Manual carefully and have a few questions. It talks about shifting from 4x4 HIGH to 4x4 LOW. First, you need to stop etc.

Question: Can you shift from 2WD to 4x4 LOW by following the same instruction i.e. First, completely stop etc. ... or ... do you have to be in 4x4 HIGH always before engaging 4x4 LOW?

I have the Electronic shift on the fly (ESOF) system with the LOCK/AUTO front hubs. They are currently in the AUTO position.

Question: Does this mean they only engage when I switch to 4x4 HIGH or 4x4 LOW? Will they be on all the time or are they "slip sensing"?

Question: When would I use the "LOCK" position?

Thanks for helping a 4x4 newb understand. Don't want to wreck anything my first time out!

 

you can go from 2wd right to 4lo if you want.

The auto position means the hubs will automatically engage when you shift into 4wd. On the old trucks the auto hubs will stay locked in when it 2wd until you drive for a few feet in the opposite direction that you last went while in 4wd. I'm not sure if the '99 and up trucks are the same way.

The lock position is recommended during heavy 4wd use(snowplowing, offroading). If your auto function quits working(which will eventually happen)you can manually lock the hubs in until you get the auto function fixed(or not worry about fixing it and just use the manual mode).


As for the OP's question I will unlock my hubs if I know I'm going to be driving over 60. I've noticed I get a vibration from the front end of my truck if I drive 65mph + with the hubs locked in.

 

Have to be stopped and in neutral to go from 4hi to 4lo.

 

I have driven up to 85 mph with both my 01 excursion and my current F-250 with the hubs locked. Its a little more drag but it didn't hurt anything. I can hardly tell with my F-250.

 

Thank you for reaching out, sunuvabug. I have forwarded your inquiry to the experts; I will keep you posted as soon as I receive their feedback.

Kwasi

 

thanks for the input guys.
I"ll have to see how she feels at speed and make the call based on that.

 

Lock them at first snow unlock them in spring.

 

Yes. And, yes. Mine are locked most of the winter, city or highway driving.