Auto vs Manual Locking Hubs
Laughing Gas
Joined: Oct 2004
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From: Brandon Mb
I prefer manual hubs over automatic. We had a F350 with auto's and they would keep locking/unlocking all the time - made for some bad noises. So long as my hubs are locked I can shift on the fly too.
Trevor
Trevor
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With manual you can shift in and out of 4wd but you can't unlock or lock your front axles without getting out of the truck. I've run autolocking hubs for many years on an 85 without ever having one failure to lock or unlock, maybe I was lucky...doubt it. Only disadvantage I see is you couldn't order a posi front axle with autolocking hubs.
Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2004
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From: N. Gwinnett Co. Georgia
Front differential posi?
'94 F250 has limited slip front and rear diffs. Don't know if this is an HD thing, just know all 4 pull in mud, snow, slush, etc. Not sure about '85 though.
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New User
Joined: Feb 2005
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From: Anchorage, AK
As usual I suppose there's mixed emotions on manual vs auto anything. I guess I have comeup with two more questions.
If one were to leave the hubs locked throughout the winter, what sort of damage would it do? Wear out the tires, hubs, mileage? I know I drove in 4hi all day long today, we just had 6-12 inches of snow depending where in Anchorage you are today.
Also if I were to switch from a manual hub to auto hub (5 speed overdrive, 91 F150 XLT), what sort of parts / kits would be needed? Aftermarket higher grade or heavier built preferred always.
If one were to leave the hubs locked throughout the winter, what sort of damage would it do? Wear out the tires, hubs, mileage? I know I drove in 4hi all day long today, we just had 6-12 inches of snow depending where in Anchorage you are today.
Also if I were to switch from a manual hub to auto hub (5 speed overdrive, 91 F150 XLT), what sort of parts / kits would be needed? Aftermarket higher grade or heavier built preferred always.
Posting Guru
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From: N. Gwinnett Co. Georgia
If you are in a 4wd driving situation, and Alaska certainly applies in that respect, I think you probably be driving in 4wd more often than not. What MEhokie is referring to is the time that 4wd driving is very minimal, like on weekends only. In your case you're in 4wd most of the time, especially in winter. You're gonna have wear and tear, but it will be normal. It will probably be April before you'd want to unlock the hubs.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jun 2004
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From: Central NY
Originally Posted by tex94F250
I understand. However when one gets on the sunny side of 50 years old one likes to have some things take care of themselves.
Cheers!
Popa Tim
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From: Alpharetta
ok forgive me, but i have little to no knowledge of manual hubs. I had auto hubs in my Jeep. If i were to leave the transfercase selector on the 2wd setting but i had my hubs locked what effect would that have? 4wd is NOT engaged until i select 4wd in the cab correct?
Keith
Keith
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The 4wd selector in the cab controls the transfer case to engage 4wd or not. The hubs control the connection of the front wheels to the front axels. You can't engage 4wd without locking the hubs, but they can stay locked when not in 4wd. When the hubs engage, the front axles, front differential and front drive shaft to the transfer case are connected to each other. So now they’re moving when the front wheels move. It will reduce the gas mileage noticeably and cause wear on the moving components. Since the wheels are spinning the drive shaft instead of the other way around, I wonder if that causes more than normal wear? Btw this doesn’t apply to Jeep. I think Jeep quadratrac is always connected.
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I dont believe that you can put it in 4x4 with auto locking hubs while its moving, I think the movement of the front drivetrain is what locks the auto locking hubs. Think of it this way, with manual hubs, when they are locked, the front drive train is already moving so you can throw it in anytime you want, but if you are moving and your front drive train isnt, then if you try to throw it into 4x4, itll be like trying to downshift a manual without using the clutch or reving the engine to match road speed. Auto locking simply means you can put it into 4x4, while stopped, and go.
Posting Guru
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From: N. Gwinnett Co. Georgia
Rolling engagement of auto hubs
KcinMI, I routinely pull of the road onto a development site of onto raw land to meet survey crews or developers while travelling about 15-20 mph and reach down and engage 4wd in my F250. She locks up and we go do business. I have never had to stop to engage auto hubs. My original manual also condones this. I don't try to shift at high speed and I try to choose the best route across terrain. Never had a problem in 240,500 miles.
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New User
Joined: Feb 2005
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From: Anchorage, AK
Yeah, according to the manual for my 91, F250/350 come default with manual hubs and manual 4x4 shifting. It did word is as standard equipment, possibly it was an option or can be swapped at this point I'm guessing.
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 18,488
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From: The Big, Oregon
I would leave it manual. the only real concern with keeping the hubs locked in is that the needle bearings inside the spindles may run out of lube or get dirt in them and wear out after a while.
Junior User
Joined: Jan 2005
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I stand corrected then. Had a 91 Exploder a few years back with push button 4x4 and auto locking hubs. Could not engage 4x4 while moving without it sounding like the front end was tearing itself apart. Dealership could never find anything wrong with it.