Let me start with a quick question: the axle on the front of my 2015 F-350. Is it a Dana 60 or Super 60? Are the axle u-joint the 1480 model or something else? Any change between 2011 and 2015?

Next, the hubs question:
Previously, I had the manual hubs, manual 4x4 shifter in my 2012 F-250. This was great - once the hubs were locked in, as long as the front and rear wheels were spinning at the same speed, I could pop in and out of 4-HI anytime I wanted. The process was instant. Now, I have the auto / manual hubs and the electric **** for 4x4. So, I understand what happens in the transfer case (an electric motor changes from 2-Hi to 4-Hi and 4-Lo); but what happens with the hubs? Is vacuum supplied to the hubs which 'suck' the hubs locked or unlocked? Does the physical hub selector move from "auto" to "lock" when you change to 4x4?

 

Dana 60 axle, same as always.


Don't know the part # for the u-joints though.


With the auto (esof) you can still shift from 2wd to 4hi at speed. The switch will activate the transfer case and the hubs at the same time.

 

OK, thanks for the info. But what is the method by which the hubs are locked and unlocked? Air? Electric? Something else?

 

A vacuum pulse switched the hubs. The vacuum does not "hold" the hubs locked. The outside selector **** does not move.

 

Thanks. Last question - apparently this system is known to have some problems. What goes wrong...the vacuum lines or the hubs themselves?

 

The hubs and the vacuum lines tend to be problematic, but the newer ESOF hubs are much more reliable. You don't see many members with the newer trucks complaining or swapping out the ESOF hubs for manual units.

 

Best to manually turn them once a month and run with the hubs locked to lubricate them.


Unless you have been using the fronts already.


Keep them working.

 

Good news, then, about the newer units possibly being more reliable.

Senix, I see you're from Frederick. I went there once for a business trip down to Abicor Binzel, back probably 10 years ago. Nice place, I liked it. I'm from NH, so definitely yes, 4x4 has been used several times already. In the summer, I usually go to a camp a few times which has access via a fire road, so 4x4 would be used there as well. But I get what you're saying, keep the front end nice and free. My folks used to drive full-size Broncos. Those things always ended up with front-end 4x4 issues due to lack of use.