Warn Hubs for an 05 X

[excursionism]

Need to replace the auto hubs on our 05 X, EB, 6.0. Found the Warn Premium Hubs (Warn #38826) that are good for '99-'04 X's, F250/F350. Just sent Warn an email asking if these would work on an '05, but hoping someone on FTE has already done the swap and can confirm. Did a search, but came up empty. Was there a design change on the D60 between '04 and '05?

[Desert 4x4]

this should work for the 05 X. The 05 X still had the leafs up front but Ford updated the bumper and grill to match the Superduty of the same year. The 05 X is the same as the 99-04 suspension wise. Hope this helps

[RACERX7775]

I have the mile marker hubs on my X. 449SS. they are the stainless steel ones. direct fit and super easy install. pics in gallery.

[Cardiac69]

Originally Posted by RACERX7775

I have the mile marker hubs on my X. 449SS. they are the stainless steel ones. direct fit and super easy install. pics in gallery.

I also have the 449SS hubs. I compared them to the Warn Premium's and thought they were made just a little better for less money.....

[excursionism]

Contacted Ed @ FTEPartsGuy and he confirmed the Ford AutoHub part numbers were the same for the 2004 and 2005 Excursion. Then heard back from Warn and after some emails back and forth, they confirmed the Warn #38826 Premium Hubs WOULD work on the 2005 Excursion also.

So now the decision is which brand is better . . . Warn, MileMarker or DynaTrac? I've had great success with Warn hubs in the past. I recall reading a article in DieselTech or DieselWorld magazine when they were trying to improve MPG on a F250 and they swapped in DynaTrac hubs.

So far, personal experience Warn gets the nod . . . a couple of FTE members have MileMarkers . . . anyone with DynaTracs?

[RACERX7775]

i dont know how hubs are gonna change mpg's. hubs only do one thing, thats to lock or unlock the axles to the wheels. there is no hub on the planet that could change mpg's. here's a pic of my mile markers. i like them better because of the looks and they are stainless steel. you can also see how much shorter they are than stockers especially with aftermarket wheels

[katiesdad7]

Why do you want to change the hubs? I have an 05 and never used the 4x4 until last November up in GA. I just flipped the switch and presto. Why would you want to do it manually when you can stay warm and clean from inside?

[excursionism]

Originally Posted by katiesdad7

Why do you want to change the hubs? I have an 05 and never used the 4x4 until last November up in GA. I just flipped the switch and presto. Why would you want to do it manually when you can stay warm and clean from inside?

Main reason for swap is ~$400 quote from dealer for one after it has froze/locked up. Warn Premiums are anywhere from $185 - $240 for both.

Second reason is I'm 'old school'. I don't like auto hubs and I don't like or want to "flip the switch" on the dash. I want to get out and turn the hub and know it's locked in, not hope the vacuum is working and pulled it in for me. I want to pull a mechanical lever that is attached to my transfer case so I know it engaged, not hope an electrical connection was made pulling in the relays and servos.

And if you're wanting to stay "warm and clean" why are you out on the trails/beach/etc. anyways ? ? ?



j/k

[excursionism]

Originally Posted by RACERX7775

i dont know how hubs are gonna change mpg's. hubs only do one thing, thats to lock or unlock the axles to the wheels. there is no hub on the planet that could change mpg's.

Au contraire . . . 1979 Chevrolet Pick-up, Full Time 4wd from the factory with big block, 6-9MPG. Swapped in a set of Warn manual hubs and mpg increased from 6-9 to 12-18. It's all in the application.

And by the way, I do like the looks of those MileMarkers

[RACERX7775]

ok, well you jus said it yourself. FULL TIME 4WD. did that mean that the front axles were engauged all the time. then if so, of course when you have the ability to free up the drag then yes, it will affect the mpg. but now, lets take my excursion, it came with the factory auto-locking hubs. i changed them out to the mile markers. there is no way for mpg's to change. and in the example above given by yourself in post #5, using an f250, they weren't fulltime 4x4's. it is all in the application. when i first stated that it was impossible, i was ONLY speaking for the excursions and super duty trucks.

oh, thanks for the compliment on the pics.

[excursionism]

Originally Posted by RACERX7775

ok, well you just said it yourself. FULL TIME 4WD. did that mean that the front axles were engaged all the time. then if so, of course when you have the ability to free up the drag then yes, it will affect the mpg. but now, lets take my excursion, it came with the factory auto-locking hubs. i changed them out to the mile markers. there is no way for mpg's to change. and in the example above given by yourself in post #5, using an f250, they weren't fulltime 4x4's. it is all in the application. when i first stated that it was impossible, i was ONLY speaking for the excursions and super duty trucks.

oh, thanks for the compliment on the pics.

Yes, the 79 Chevrolet was full time 4wd, the axles engaged and the front drive shaft always turning.

Found the article regarding the Dynatracs . . . had my project vehicles mixed up. Diesel World installed the Dynatrac Free Spin HD Hub conversion on their Project Underdog, a 2004 F250, not on their Project MPG, another 2004 F250. In the article they state "The kit also comes with chromoly spindles, cast nodular wheel hubs and Warn premium locking hubs. This combination of parts not only eliminates the Ford factory weak link bearing assembly, but gives you free-wheeling hubs for improved mpg (my highlight & italics), larger axle shafts to handle big torque loads and larger tires . . . " (ref pg 62).

So now my question is, in "Auto" are the stock front hubs NOT free-wheeling? Not arguing, just learning.

Also, found Dynatrac now offers a kit for the 05 - 07 Suoer Duty's
Dynatrac 2005 - 2007 Ford Free-Spin Hub Conversion Kit

[DCSpecial]

The stock hubs do free wheel in Auto if the switch is off, if they are working properly.


The blurb in the article is probably info from Dynatrac's site. Their Dodge kits give increased MPG as they do not have locking hubs. The Ford kits only improve MPG if your have a hub that isn't unlocking.


The 05+ Free Spin for the new coil spring front axles has been available for a while now, good kit. Not as popular as the new unit bearings are better and bigger than the old style.

[excursionism]

Originally Posted by DCSpecial

The 05+ Free Spin for the new coil spring front axles has been available for a while now, good kit. Not as popular as the new unit bearings are better and bigger than the old style.

Thanks for the clarification. Wasn't sure if "Auto" = "free-wheeling" (with everything working properly).

What are you making reference to when you said "Not as popular as the new unit bearings are better and bigger than the old style." Is there a better Dynatrac offering (or other manufacturer?)

[1]

Originally Posted by excursionism

Main reason for swap is ~$400 quote from dealer for one after it has froze/locked up.

Glad my extended warranty covered new ones for me when I compalined mine were frozen. If this set were to go bad and I still owned the truck I would go to the stainless ones.

[blowhole]

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