2004 F150 front axle disconnect: auto locking hubs / central disconnect / no disconnect - anyone know?

 

Hi Cheese and welcome to FTE

The 2004's have vacuum operated automatic hubs.

 

OH NO...are you serious? Ford is going to start using vacuum actuated hubs on the F-150?? Didn't they learn their lesson with the 98-99 Ranger?

 

You would have thought they had learned but apparently not

 

are you sure? I would have thought it would have the center diff disconnect like the 97-03 models....?

 

It is different than a Ranger but works similarly. They now call it an "Integrated Wheel End Disconnect". I guess "locking hub" was too easy. It is built onto the end of the CV on the front axle. I dont have a good picture of it but this will give you a bit of an idea..........

 

I'm hearing that the '04 Ranger will go back to pulse-vacuum hublocks also. Looks like if you want a dependable 4x4, Ford is no longer going to be an excellent choice.

 

i wouldn't speculate too soon on how dependable this system will be.

the proving grounds yeilded some pretty good results in my opinion..... also there has been a lot of development in this truck it is ford's baby also ford's big chance at turning this company around hopefull it is a winner of a truck from what i have read, it blows chevy and dodge away.... maybe not as powerful as hemi, but better torque curves...

anyways, lets wait untill they are released and let some customers have a chance to test them out


then we can debate how good the system is

i still love my ttb 92 bronco people say they dont like the auto hubs i still have my originals with 135,000 miles and some pretty hard abuse...


we will see how this vaccumm setup pans out...