Dumb 4x4 question
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Junior User
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 71
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From: Catskill, NY
Dumb 4x4 question
Well this is about as basic as it gets... I just got an F250 with four wheel drive and manual hubs, and to be honest I have never used manual hubs before. So basically, how do you use them? Lets say I am in 2wd and want to switch over. What is the sequence? How about when I want to switch back? Do I have to back the truck up or something?
Thank you for tolerating this total newbie question....
Thank you for tolerating this total newbie question....
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 320
Likes: 3
From: Northwest BC. Canada
Put truck in park, set the E-brake 
Get out and turn the hub selector to lock. You can now drive in 2wd high, 4wd high and 4wd low. Best on dirt or slippery roads. dry pavement may damage front components in any 4wd selection.
When you are finished, simply put the truck in park set the E-brake
Floor selector in 2 WD get out and switch the hubs back to free. Proper working hubs and you shouldn't need to back up or "jostle" the truck to free the hubs. if that was the case, maintenance or replacement of the hubs is necessary. Hope that helps,
Dan.
Get out and turn the hub selector to lock. You can now drive in 2wd high, 4wd high and 4wd low. Best on dirt or slippery roads. dry pavement may damage front components in any 4wd selection.
When you are finished, simply put the truck in park set the E-brake
Floor selector in 2 WD get out and switch the hubs back to free. Proper working hubs and you shouldn't need to back up or "jostle" the truck to free the hubs. if that was the case, maintenance or replacement of the hubs is necessary. Hope that helps,
Dan.
Posting Guru
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,066
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From: Chatsworth, CA
You can leave the hubs locked and switch from 2wd to 4wd on a needed basis. Once I hit the dirt I usually lock the hubs but don't put it in 4wd until I need it. You should every once in awhile lock the hubs and drive it around for 10 miles or so to keep your axle lubed. I don't put the truck in park i just come to a stop and engage it in 4wd hi to put it in 4wd low you need to put the tranny in neutral and push down on the transfer case lever and back. Your dash lights will tell you your in 4wd.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 5,228
Likes: 5
From: Running Springs CA
I lock the hubs when there is snow in the forecast. That way I can just shift to 4hi whenever I need it, without gettin out of the truck. With manual hubs you can shift between 2 and 4hi without coming to a stop. There is no real harm in leaving the hubs locked all of the time, except for some noise and maybe a quarter of a mile per gallon. Older 4x4's did not have factory disconnect hubs at all. They used to be an aftermarket item.
Jim
Jim
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Junior User
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 71
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From: Catskill, NY
Thanks guys, that pretty much clears things up.. so I guess locking the hubs basically is just locking the wheel to the axle- so if I was in 2wd with them locked, the wheels would turn the axle, the front diff gears, and some gears in the transfer case that aren't connected to anything... no biggie.
So if accidentally it is driven in 4wd with the hubs not locked, does it do any damage?
So if accidentally it is driven in 4wd with the hubs not locked, does it do any damage?
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New User
Joined: Jun 2004
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if the transfercase is in 4wd but the hubs are not it is hard on the front axle. If i remember it has something to do with bushings at the end of the axle.
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Tuned
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 394
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From: 13th Colony
I have known of some people using 4 low with out hubs locked in when pulling boat out of water on paved landing, just for the low gear. I would imagine that for a short distance it would be ok. I would not drive highway speeds though. Only thing is, with hubs locked, you front drive shaft will be turning, but in 2 high, it will be free willing in the transfer case. As long as the rear output shaft is turning, it should be getting lubrication in the x-fer case. I too have been guilty of just locking the hubs when I knew I would need them and then just pulling the shifter into 4h while even rolling. I slow down of course and stay off of asphalt when in 4wd.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2002
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From: Vancouver WA
I once ran my Bronco with the hubs locked for about 6 months. Locked them during a snow storm in the winter, and happened to notice they were still locked when I was washing it one day in the summer. Never had any problems. Gas mileage went up just a bit after unlocking them though.
New User
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 5
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anuther F250 newbie..
Originally Posted by FilmGuy
Well this is about as basic as it gets... I just got an F250 with four wheel drive and manual hubs, and to be honest I have never used manual hubs before. So basically, how do you use them? Lets say I am in 2wd and want to switch over. What is the sequence? How about when I want to switch back? Do I have to back the truck up or something?
Thank you for tolerating this total newbie question....
Thank you for tolerating this total newbie question....
It's got a manual transmission, does it have to be in neutral? You can tell one or the other (maybe even both) have been replaced because they're different, and I dont believe either one of them say "FORD". But I can't get either one to budge even a little. You can tell someone has taken an open end wrench to the drivers side. So...any suggestions? Or do I just have a really big 2WD?
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 196
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From: pennsylvania
big2wd
If they won't turn at all 1st make sure you're not in 4wd in the cab,by shifting to 2 HI. Then crawl under and try to turn your front drive shaft manually. If it turns and your hubs are in the LOCK position you have a big 2x4. If the shaft won't turn you are locked in 4x4. Typically, a 7/32" allen wrench & a couple of rags can diagnose your hubs. Mile marker/ Ford/ Warn/ etc. are all basicly the same. Behind the **** and cover is a snap ring that should be seated in a groove in the splined end of your axle, if it's not seated- seat it, or get a replacement. Inspect the splined outer diameter of the ****/ selector. Many are plastic or nylon and get damaged. Finally, if someone was monkeying
around in your hubs before it's possible that the wheel bearing retaining/ adjusting nut may be loose , or too tight. They are locked in place in a variety of ways so consult a manual for your truck for exact adjustment & torque specs.
around in your hubs before it's possible that the wheel bearing retaining/ adjusting nut may be loose , or too tight. They are locked in place in a variety of ways so consult a manual for your truck for exact adjustment & torque specs.
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