1987 4x4 hub help

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Dec 8, 2010 | 07:15 AM

Caveman2851

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Mountain Pass

Joined: Mar 2009

Posts: 120

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From: Washington, MO

1987 4x4 hub help

I'm working on getting my 87 4x4 F150 on the road and I'm running into a problem with the manuel lock hubs. The hubs that are on my truck are like none I've ever seen. Instead of having the warn/mile marker style that attaches with torx bolts on the end it is totally encased. The only thing on the end of the center cone is a plastic turn handle to engage the hub lock. I've went to the Ford dealer and they said that a few trucks in that year had this type of hub, they are a light weight version, and are now discontinued. My question is this, can I change this system over to a setup where I can use warn/mile marker hube? What does it involve? I figured I would have to change the rotor but I'm concerened about the axel spindle length. Maybe it would just be easier to find an entire different good, used front axel assembly and just switch them out. Don't know and could use some help. Thanks

Ron

Dec 8, 2010 | 08:25 AM

Pkupman82

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Joined: Feb 2003

Posts: 3,441

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From: Muskegon, MI (home)

Some how I had a feeling this post would be about the one piece hubs. Ford ran those goofy hubs for about a year and a half IIRC. Yes you can change just the outers. I would pay a visit to the nearest salvage yard and look for an 89 through 94 F150 4wd or Bronco and get the hubs, rotors, and spindles off it. Everything else from the knuckles in is pretty much the same. The only thing I'm not 100% sure of is the stub shafts, I would pull them too just in case. They may be different lengths or spline count. I recently scrapped out an 88 F150 that had the one piece hubs, they were still good so I kept them. If you're interested let me know or send me a PM.
John

Dec 8, 2010 | 08:34 AM