Manual Hubs
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Senior User
Joined: Feb 2004
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From: Utah
Manual Hubs
I've got a 91 with the 5spd and the 3.55 rear end. When I'm backing a trailer or doing other off road stuff the gearing is often a little too high. So I've been dropping into low4 so I don't ride the clutch.
I've been told, and have read that I should "never" use 4x4 without first locking my manual hubs. But this can be kind of a pain when all your doing is backing a trailer down a ramp or something quick.
I engaged 4x4 once without the hubs locked (they were in lock and I jumped out and gave them a turn without looking) I didn't get very far but it didn't seem to hurt anything. So my question is "is it ok to use low 4 with the manual hubs in free?"
I've been told, and have read that I should "never" use 4x4 without first locking my manual hubs. But this can be kind of a pain when all your doing is backing a trailer down a ramp or something quick.
I engaged 4x4 once without the hubs locked (they were in lock and I jumped out and gave them a turn without looking) I didn't get very far but it didn't seem to hurt anything. So my question is "is it ok to use low 4 with the manual hubs in free?"
Elder User
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 836
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From: Shreveport, LA
Having your hubs unlocked should be no problem at all. The only thing that's happening in such a case should be the front drive shaft and axles turning, with the wheels remaining un powered.
You would have the ability to use the lower 4low, though. I've done this many times, and have never had a problem. I cant picture in my head (i know, I know, no jokes, please) how it would hurt anything, nor have I heard anything from ANYONE saying otherwise.
You would have the ability to use the lower 4low, though. I've done this many times, and have never had a problem. I cant picture in my head (i know, I know, no jokes, please) how it would hurt anything, nor have I heard anything from ANYONE saying otherwise.
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Senior User
Joined: Feb 2004
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From: Utah
Thats pretty much what I thought. I've spun the front drive shaft by hand when everything is in free so I just can't see how turning it with the transfer case every now and then could cause problems.
I've heard this more then once but the most recent was a post in the trailer fourm here so I figured I'd get a few other opnions.
P.S. heres the post
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/s...d.php?t=237406
I've heard this more then once but the most recent was a post in the trailer fourm here so I figured I'd get a few other opnions.
P.S. heres the post
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/s...d.php?t=237406
Elder User
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 836
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From: Shreveport, LA
Well shoot..that's just my knowledge, that they wont be hurt. This guy seems to be saying that your owner's manual will tell you not to do it...maybe you could call your Ford service place to be sure..sorry if I gave bad info!!
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Senior User
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From: Utah
I think you and I are on the same track. If you've done it and nothing happened, and I did it and nothing happened maybe is ok. OR maby is slowly wears something out.
Hopefully, someone will chime in, and/or I'll talk to ford and then we'll both learn something new and be better off.
Hopefully, someone will chime in, and/or I'll talk to ford and then we'll both learn something new and be better off.
Posting Guru
Joined: Oct 2003
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From: Monroe, WA
I'm thinking along the same lines psychlopath. If they are actually fully manual hubs, I can't think of what would happen to them with the truck in 4 wheel drive. I could see something in the transfer case maybe, but then I think you would feel it binding up or clunking. Oh well, maybe a real 4x4 expert will shed some light on this.
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Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 409
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From: New York
well ill add my 2 cents. ive alwasy backed trailers with my truck in 4x4 low range and never once had any ill efects. ive also rebuilt my front axle and hubs rite when i bought the truck. there is no reason i can see that it would hurt anything. now driving around in 4x4 high without the hubs locked in is pointless but using 4x4 low has many good advantages. i no driving around with the hubs locked in and not in 4x4 will wear out the u joints faster and lower gas milage so driving arounmd in 4x4 low without the hubs locked in would do about the same. course how much fuel ya really going to use backing a trailer in is peanuts. id say save yar clucth and use 4x4 low to back in. or whate ver. just dont take off down the highw ay in 4x4 low and ya should be just fine.
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From: Utah
Well so far we all seem to be in agreement. I wonder if its in the manual that way so people don't see the 4x4 light and then complain to ford when they get suck.
And redneck I'm not talking about driving for miles like this, just manuvering a few hundred feet at a time. So your right fuel milage isn't a concern and the ball joint wear from a 1000 feet can't be any more then hitting one pot hole at 40.
And redneck I'm not talking about driving for miles like this, just manuvering a few hundred feet at a time. So your right fuel milage isn't a concern and the ball joint wear from a 1000 feet can't be any more then hitting one pot hole at 40.
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Senior User
Joined: Feb 2004
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From: Utah
I have not had time to call ford yet. But I did check back on the trailer fourm and it looks like that thread has come around to the same answer. That it is just fine. I still might call ford but that could take some time.
Thanks all
Thanks all
New User
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 18
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From: New Braunfels, TX
Just felt like adding my two cents in also, but mine's more on the comment about asking ford. I'm pretty sure they put that in the manual just to cover their @#$. They can't come out and say that it's alright because then they would have way too many trucks to fix by ppl putting it in 4-lo and tearing stuff up.
I've been doing the same thing on 4 different ford trucks and have never torn anything up just engaging the 4wd. I'd say that sometimes it can even be a better thing depending on what kind of road you are on too. Locking in the hubs on dry pavement can really start to tear up tires and other parts when you start making hard turns.
I've been doing the same thing on 4 different ford trucks and have never torn anything up just engaging the 4wd. I'd say that sometimes it can even be a better thing depending on what kind of road you are on too. Locking in the hubs on dry pavement can really start to tear up tires and other parts when you start making hard turns.
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Joined: Jun 2004
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We have an old 79 250 with the manual hubs that we pulled grain carts with. When pulling through hills we would put it in 4 lo with the hubs free to get some extra oomph from the 400. Its retired from pulling now but the 4 wheel drive still works just fine. I agree, Ford is just covering their bases in the legal department.
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