I bought my daughter a 1990 model 5 speed. It has push-button select 4WD and manual hubs. I have seen other BIIs and Rangers with push-button 4WD, but they all had "electric" hubs. Did Ford make the configuration I have, or is it someone's "custom" work? Why would you want to convert anyway?

Thanks.

 

Why would you want to convert?? I can only speak for myself but I find those electronic hubs are crap. Ive blown a few when my wife had her Explorer. And I wasnt even doing anything hard. Ive never blown a manual hub yet. Thats why Id convert.

 

The auto hubs on these aren't electric: they are purely mechanical. When the axleshaft rotates, the hub is supposed to lock -- no electronics involved.

As for why convert to manual hubs? A few different reasons:

1) When an auto hub needs replacement, it costs less to buy two manual hubs and convert than it costs to buy one new auto hub. When money is more important than the convenience issue, then one would convert.
2) Strength: auto hubs are weaker than the manual hubs. Those who run their BII hard prefer not to break their hubs out on the trail.
3) Reliability: Enough people have enough problems with the auto hubs not locking when they should or not unlocking when they should that some people convert to manual hubs so they know they are locked when they want them locked and know they are unlocked when they want them unlocked.

 

Automatic, Electric. Electronic. Same crap thats all it is is crap....

 

When you change direction they unlock and will not lock again until the vehicle has traveled or spun the wheels enough to engage the cams. Unfortunately, if you are stuck, you will probably get stuck backing out in 2x4 when they disengage.

Where it can get real hairy is backing down a steep hill where you want to turn and spin the front end around to head down straight. If the front end unlocks, you slid sideways and flip.

Basically it is for on the road 4x4 high in snow. The owner's manual use to have warnings "not for farm use" about the auto hubs.

I have set of autohubs and stuff off a 1990 I am scrapping and I am going manual hubs. If you are in GA we could swap setups.

 

All true, consider yourself lucky to have manual locking hubs. They are by far superior to automatic hubs. As stated above, automatic hubs are a mystery. You never know when you are locked in or out. Or when they will lock in or out.

 

In short there chit. Not even worth puttin on my grandmothers scooter

 

The only good auto hubs I know of are on Toyotas Sorry, had to. I know mine are not manual hubs on my Tacoma, and I know that they lock in regardless of direction of wheel rotation EVERY time as soon as you put it in 4WD (I also have the electric/manual shift t-case; push a button to put it in 4hi and manually shift it into low range... although, I've never tried to put it in low range while in 2WD...) and will unlock when you pull it out of 4WD. Haven't had any issues with the 'yota and have probably put those hubs to the test plenty. The Ford ones are CR*P, period.