Hubs
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Senior User
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 130
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From: King William, VA
Hubs
I was thinking bout buying manual locking hub conversion kit for my rangers. I heard they are much better then the automatic locking hubs. I was just wandering how hard is it to switch out the automatics with the manual hubs. What is the advantages of these. I heard they are stronger and can hold more when towing a other things like that.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 4,411
Likes: 1,016
From: Central KY
I've only had trouble with the 4x4 system on two trucks in my life. One of them was a '95 Ford with a manual t-case shifter and manual hubs. So I personally don't think you can say that the manual setup is more reliable. It is, however, easier to diagnose problems with them when something does go wrong.
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Senior User
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 130
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From: King William, VA
Yea see I personally like the autos since i dont have to get out of the vehicle to lock them in. I was just going by what people have told me and what mechanics at my dads work said. He is a mechanic for a local dealership up here. And there general consensus is to go with manual. But thats there opinions.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 4,411
Likes: 1,016
From: Central KY
I hear ya'. Mechanically, as far as how the half-shafts are locked in place, there is no difference. So one isn't stronger than the other. The difference is guys like me have to depend on an electric motor to engage the system, and the guys with manual hubs have to get out and lock them in by hand. Where people have had problems with the automatic hubs has usually been with that electric motor, not with the strength of the system once it's locked in.
If you service the auto. hubs on a regular basis like you should, they will last just as long and will be just as strong as manual hubs. Either way, just be glad you have hubs! I don't have any on this truck, and I can't help but wonder how harsh this must be on the driveline. Oh well, it's under warranty I guess.
If you service the auto. hubs on a regular basis like you should, they will last just as long and will be just as strong as manual hubs. Either way, just be glad you have hubs! I don't have any on this truck, and I can't help but wonder how harsh this must be on the driveline. Oh well, it's under warranty I guess.
Elder User
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 773
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From: torrington,ct
I switched to manual hubs when I got stuck in about 1.5 feet of snow, the hubs were slipping just as the truck found traction. What ever was left to em was gone that day after rocking the truck back and fourth, and all I had to do was go about 2 feet and I would of hit plowed driveway. I've swithed to warn manual hubs and never looked back. As far as installing them if ya can turn a wrench and follow some directions you can make the swap. I would suggest getting the directions that they have written up on http://www.therangerstaton.com rather then what comes with the hubs, I threw those out cause they were horrible. It took me I think just a hair under 2 hours on a lazy summer day with a floor jack in my driveway and hand tools to make the swap and repack all the bearings by hand. The swap along shouldnt take moe then a half hour or so.
Freshman User
Joined: Oct 2003
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manual hubs are the way to go if you dont mind getting out to lock them in. Automatics seem to fail when you really need them,rocking back and forth is reall hard on autos, Manuals will only fail if you have a bad u-joint.
