So I'm in the process of converting to 4x4. I bought a D44 setup from a '95 F-150 and have been tearing it apart to clean it and replace everything. It had the automatic hubs, which is key to this question, I believe.



What is this thing? The hex flats measure 2-3/8" and the threads are 1-5/8"-16. Everywhere I take it they look at me funny and say "the only spindle nuts I've ever seen have 4 or 6 slots." Yeah, me too.

So anyway, I'd like to buy a replacement since I've rounded it off a bit but need to know what it is or <I>what feature is responsible for it being different.</I>

However, one more twist. If I buy this manual conversion kit, can I throw the nut I have out the window and forget this mess ever happened?

 

If you are going manual hubs then you need the manual nut kit

I am not really up to date on the 1/2 tons but the nut you have a pic of looks just like the 3/4 and 1 ton AUTO hub nut. The manuals use 2 nuts and a lock washer

 

That manual kit has the correct nuts (one preload, followed by a lock ring, followed by a lock nut). Buy that kit and throw away those abominations that came stock.