Which 4X4?
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From: Paola
Which 4X4?
I'm new to 4x4's and was wondering which years were the best. Like I know they're are alot of different ways over the years they engaged four wheel drive. Whats the oldest one they made where you didn't have to get out and lock the hubs? I want to get a '78-'96 4x4, is there a certain year that would be easier to lift than others?
Post Fiend
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From: Western Central NV
I think around 1990 was the beginning of auto hubs on Fords. If I wrong I'm sure someone will correct me. That's what is nice about this forum there are alot of guys and gals with a world of knowledge.
Post Fiend
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From: Coutts Canada
The pre 80's truck are generally a little better offroad cause the straight axle can take more abuse before u-joints and the such start breaking. I belive 90 is about the right year, but the manual locking hubs will give you fewer headaches and i have found that they are a little stronger.
Elder User
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From: Kalispell, MT
once, driving thru my home town, i saw a 70-some ford (not sure if 1/2, 3/4 or 1 ton) 4x4 that had full time hubs like many older dodges and chevy's...not sure if it was stock that way, but the front drive line was also spinning as he drove down the road...this is just what i saw, not sure if it was stock or what....just a thought....
MontanaFord
MontanaFord
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From: Bonita Springs FL
Ford made full time 4x4 trucks for a while. Not sure why, it doesn't make sense to have all four wheels pulling when you don't need them to.
You might like the auto hubs because you don't have to get out to engage them, but you won't like them as much when they suddenly stop working when you need them. My advice is to stay far away from the auto hubs.
As far as lift goes, the 78-79 trucks are easier to lift, as they are the only ones to come from the factory with a solid front axle. All F-150s, F-250s Broncos from 1980 to 1996 have the TTB front end, which is has pros and cons. F-350s from 1980-1986.5 also have the TTB front end. In mid-year 1986, they went to a solid front axle again.
I also recommend getting a manual transfer case. The electric shift gearboxes tend to get stuck in low range, or not shift when you want them to. The manual ones are more reliable, generally speaking.
You might like the auto hubs because you don't have to get out to engage them, but you won't like them as much when they suddenly stop working when you need them. My advice is to stay far away from the auto hubs.
As far as lift goes, the 78-79 trucks are easier to lift, as they are the only ones to come from the factory with a solid front axle. All F-150s, F-250s Broncos from 1980 to 1996 have the TTB front end, which is has pros and cons. F-350s from 1980-1986.5 also have the TTB front end. In mid-year 1986, they went to a solid front axle again.
I also recommend getting a manual transfer case. The electric shift gearboxes tend to get stuck in low range, or not shift when you want them to. The manual ones are more reliable, generally speaking.
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Joined: Jun 2004
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From: Mid-Missouri
I agree. Stay away from Auto Hubs if you are serious about you Wheeling.
Auto hubs are not reliable, especially if they are not maintained.
You should know when you are going to go wheeling and lock the hubs before you get in the muck not after you realize you are stuck.
Auto hubs are not reliable, especially if they are not maintained.
You should know when you are going to go wheeling and lock the hubs before you get in the muck not after you realize you are stuck.
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From: Paola
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From: St. Peter
I'll just be another poster to say, stay away from auto hubs. Had them on my ranger, was reading about everyone saying, "my auto hubs failed today" and i'm just sitting there thinking, "mine have alwaysed worked fine." until i was pulling out a stump and all of a sudden, i hear that horrible grinding noise, and the back tires were spinning and the front were doing nothing. trip to the junkyard for hubs revealed it was 75 bucks for a used auto hub, but a set of manual hubs were only 65 bucks for the two. So if you want to lift your truck, and take it through some mud, then get manual hubs. otherwise you WILL get stuck. Guarenteed
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From: Winnipeg, Manitoba
Auto hubs were pretty much designed with the urban commando 4wheeler in mind. They're fine, if left to do light duty pulling mom off the curb after she went off the road while applying her mascara. They're pretty much useless in any serious wheeling situation. As someone else stated, lock the manuals in BEFORE going off road, and I'll add to that, leave it in 2WD UNTIL you get stuck, unless you're with a number of other trucks and can get un-stuck without a hefty towing bill. Even when I am with other trucks, I never engage 4WD until I absolutely have to. You haven't been stuck, until you're stuck, and were in 4WD when you got stuck...trust me.... 
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