Automatic Hub Question
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Freshman User
Joined: Oct 2003
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Automatic Hub Question
Hi All,
I recently purchased a 1989 F-150 4.9L, 5OD. 4x4. The four wheel drive works great! The hubs engage and disengage as expected. When I look at the front wheels, the driver’s side automatic hub cover has 3 bolts and the passenger’s side has 5 bolts. The passenger’s side has some play in it, but the bolts are tight.
Can I determine which side is original? I am considering converting the automatic hubs to manual to increase 4x4 reliability.
Any thoughts or recommendations would be greatly appreciated!
Jason
I recently purchased a 1989 F-150 4.9L, 5OD. 4x4. The four wheel drive works great! The hubs engage and disengage as expected. When I look at the front wheels, the driver’s side automatic hub cover has 3 bolts and the passenger’s side has 5 bolts. The passenger’s side has some play in it, but the bolts are tight.
Can I determine which side is original? I am considering converting the automatic hubs to manual to increase 4x4 reliability.
Any thoughts or recommendations would be greatly appreciated!
Jason
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 152
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I'm not sure what the difference is in the hubs but there is a difference in the locknuts for the wheel bearings. Normally if you have a 3 bolt cap you will have a single locknut. That is why you must buy the conversion kit when you change from auto hubs w/3 bolt caps to manual hubs. Just did that game.
Depending on what a previous owner did I suppose it is possible to use either a 3 or 5 bolt setup as long as all the correct parts are used. I just don't what is different between the two.
Depending on what a previous owner did I suppose it is possible to use either a 3 or 5 bolt setup as long as all the correct parts are used. I just don't what is different between the two.
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 152
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Got the standard Warn hubs from a local drivetrain distributor. Most parts houses will have these. I got mine for around $60 a pair but the parts stores were more. The premium hubs are more but I think the standards versions are fine.
The conversion kit is about $15 per side and is needed for the hubs using 3 bolt covers.
Assuming you can return an unused kit I would buy two of them and return one if you really don't need it for th 5 bolt side. Who knows what might be in there if someone has mixed an older and newer hub.
There are many posts on this topic if you search. Also search the 4 wheeling section of the Misc forum.
The conversion kit is about $15 per side and is needed for the hubs using 3 bolt covers.
Assuming you can return an unused kit I would buy two of them and return one if you really don't need it for th 5 bolt side. Who knows what might be in there if someone has mixed an older and newer hub.
There are many posts on this topic if you search. Also search the 4 wheeling section of the Misc forum.
