Well I went threw the posts like every day and noticed the post on auto hubs.I've only had manuals on everything now my new to me 96 has autos.How do they work,engage and disengage ? When the weather is bad I lock may manuals and just pull into 4x4 when needed while driving.I guess you need to stop to switch with the auto's ? I did a search on the forum and found a bunch of info but not what really made the lock up and unlock when the lever is moved from 2-4.
Jake

 

I can't really answer your why questions but I can tell you that after you shift back to 2wd you'll need to back up some to disengage them. Just in case you hadn't learned that yet.

 

They work on some kind of centrifugal gizmo. Thus the reverse in 2HI to disengage. It's all in the owner's manual (for some odd reason, it's not in the 4x4 supplement ). You only have to stop the first time; launching in 4HI is what locks the hubs. From there, you can shift between 2HI and 4HI while moving. There's no vacuum or electronics involved (thankfully...).

 

Thanks,I never did get an owners manual with any of my trucks.I'll have to see if I can find one online.

 

When you switsh to 2wd the driveshaft engages the axles which in turn engages the hubs. They do not stay engaged all the time either. when you go from forward to reverse in 4wd it takes a second for them to re-engage.

Yes you can just switch from 2wd to 4wd while rolling like you used to do. Just don't do it at a high rate of speed. Or don't do it while the rear tires are spinning and the front ones are not. You want both front and rear wheels to be turning at the same speed if you put it in 4wd while rolling.

I usually back up in 2wd when I am finished with 4wd just to be sure they disengage. Not 100% always necessary but it is very good practice.