locking hubs

Reply Subscribe

Thread Tools

Search this Thread

Sep 25, 2014 | 10:50 AM

j66b

Thread Starter

Junior User

Joined: May 2013

Posts: 84

Likes: 0

locking hubs

Does anyone manufacture manual locking hubs for a 1997 F150? Warn does not: something about the wheel design. Thanks, j66b

Sep 25, 2014 | 06:47 PM

steve(ill)

Hotshot

Joined: Jul 2005

Posts: 11,931

Likes: 180

The hub splines directly to the axle shaft. If would have to be a completely different design to have a manual lock as part of it.

Sep 25, 2014 | 08:43 PM

j66b

Thread Starter

Junior User

Joined: May 2013

Posts: 84

Likes: 0

locking hubs

Anyone know how to convert it so that it can have locking hubs? Thanks, JB

Sep 25, 2014 | 10:38 PM

steve(ill)

Hotshot

Joined: Jul 2005

Posts: 11,931

Likes: 180

THh new trucks use a hub/ bearing unit. That style will not work and can not be modified. I don't know if it would fit the spindle, but you would need an older style hub with the planet / engagement parts inside. The type that sticks out several inches pasts the rim. I don't know if this would even install on the new spindle.

Sep 25, 2014 | 10:38 PM

kenn_chan

Laughing Gas

Joined: Jun 2013

Posts: 1,098

Likes: 514

From: Yokosuka Japan

Yes, look up SAS that is probably the only way to put manual locking hubs on the 97 and newer 1/2 ton models.

Sep 26, 2014 | 12:24 AM

Torky2

Fleet Mechanic

Joined: Sep 2003

Posts: 1,716

Likes: 15

IIRC, the truck design newer than the 1997-2003(and 2004 Heritage) went back to a hub-disconnect type of system. I have no idea if anything could be adapted to work.

Sep 26, 2014 | 07:14 AM

MBDiagMan

Cargo Master

Joined: Dec 2004

Posts: 2,232

Likes: 3

From: NE Texas

Why do you want locking hubs? They were quite useful on old solid front axle 4X4's like my old '78 with a part time transfer case, because you are disconnecting a lot of rotating mass including the entire center section. With the 97 and newer as designed, however, the vacuum system disconnects the vast majority of the rotating mass when not in 4X4 mode. The gain from unlocking the hub would only disconnect the outer shaft which is relatively lightweight.