Awesome, thanks!! I'm about to make my drive from Gatlinburg, TN back to Breck (do this 4 times a year) and want to make sure it's working if I hit an ice storm.

 

 

You might try lubing the lock outs, on the older F-150 and the Isuzu's I had with auto locking hubs I did not use grease, I cleaned them good and soaked them in high quality gear oil. They locked in fast and the heavy oil lubes them well. Now that I have a Super Duty I noticed that I have a slow lock in on one side, it ground a little before engagement going up the gravel driveway pulling the boat. I will do the same with these when I get time. The COLDER IT GETS THE SLOWER THINGS MOVE.

 

 

I don't burn any more fuel with the hubs locked, I have tested this many times. As for the extra wear it isn't that much, my Jeep and Dakota both have full time hubs so the front axle and driveshaft is always spinning and they don't wear out any quicker. 02-14 Ram HD trucks are the same way.

 

 

So a different question how hard should it be to turn the hubs from auto to locked or the other way. Ive taken it apart and greased wish I had known about the gear oil That makes sense. thanks

 

I worked in an automotive machine shop for over 30 years and have rebuilt just about anything that can be bolted to a motor vehicle. I had a mechanic come in one day (one of the better ones) and said that he thought the full time 4x4's front axle joints lasted longer than the part time trucks. I can't prove or disprove that but people should use their 4x4 occasionally or lock in the hubs now and then. I don't run mine all the time but I do have to use the 4x4 often enough. I feel there's a lot of parts in there that don't need to be working all the time, vacuum seals, U-joints, needle bearings. Our other 4x4 (the wife's) is a 98, 100 series Landcruiser, they have a full time system, stick shift for the center diff in the transfer case and an electric rear diff lock. Runs very smooth all the time.

 

 

My ESOF motor has been sticking... I use it all the time for sure. I think moisture from a day long ride in the rain and snow then dropping temps fast got to it. A wrench came on the display with error message about the 4x4. I don't know if it's stored in the computer as maybe the Ford dealer will fix it under my extended ford warranty. I don't think water should be getting to it.. got 110000 miles now on it.