I have two friends, one with a 2005 King Ranch F-250 4x4 (graduation present), and one with a 2003 F-150 4x4, both completely stock (Engine and Drive Train wise). They both claim that they have locking front differentials, because they have manual locking front hubs. If they put the truck in 4x4 from inside the truck, without getting out and turning the little **** on the hub, would the truck go into 4x4? And if it does, would getting out and turning the **** on the hub lock the front differential? Can someone please clear this up for me?

 

Thats a hell of a graduation gift! Manual locking front hubs do not equal locking front differential. The hubs have no say in how the differential works. They are the means by which the power is transferred to each wheel. As for the in cab switch, that depends. Do you have true manual hubs, with an ESOF case, or the Manual/Auto hub, with two settings? If the first, no matter how many times you flip that interior switch to 4x4 (with hubs unlocked), you wont be in 4x4. If you have the front hubs set to the auto function, and switch the inside, then yes, you will be in 4x4.

 

Yea, he is very lucky in that respect. So the hubs have three positions: locked, unlocked, and auto?!?!? I know for sure they have the **** on the front wheels, but I don't know what particular system they have. Which of the systems do you think they are likely to have. Please help, I would love to tell them that they are B.S.ing everybody! Also, just to get a hard fact; do any stock Fords have true locking front differentials. Please be very clear so I can print this out and show everybody! Thank you guys so much.

 

It depends. The F250 hub is different from the F150. Do they both have ESOF, or does either have a stick on the floor for the transfer case? As far as I know, NO vehicle has a true locking front diff from the factory. True lockers are hell on tires. Its possible that they have limited slip fronts, but I HIGHLY doubt it. I havent seen a LS front in years from Ford. If you can get a picture or something, that would help.

 

They both have electronic **** 4x4 in the cab.

 

The 03 F150 doesn't have hubs. It has CV joints at the wheel. The front diff is what locks in. Not familiar with the F150.

 

The F-150 might be an 01 or 02.

 

The F150 from 97-03 and 04 Heritage don't have hubs. The 04 has them, but not that can be set up as a manual hub.

 

anybody else want to tell me how it is?

 

Here's a suggestion. Go to the ford.com website and build a 4x4 F150. Nowhere will you find the option of selecting a "locking" front differential. Nowhere will you find the option of selecting a "limited slip" front differential. The only choice from the factory is an "open" front differential.

I had an '02 and currently have an '04 4x4 and believe me if I could have ordered anything other than the standard front differential I would have. I do a lot of ice fishing and if I could afford it I would have a locker rear and limited slip front, but that's aftermarket stuff and expensive.

 

Ok, I still don't understand that if there is an auto setting on the hub switch, then why is there a hub switch at all? What would be the point of actually getting out and taking it off of auto and put it into lock. Can someone please clear this up for me.

 

Because of two reasons. 1.) Ford auto hubs stink. Always have, and Im pretty confident always will. Its an inherent design issue. My fathers 04 F250 hubs have gone out already. 2.) A manual lockout is much stronger than the auto function. If you are pulling a boat out of the water, you better believe that if you switch to 4x4 and try to take off, you are looking for trouble with those autos engaging. Thank god my father has the manual backup. The auto function only works part of the time. BTW, he only has 20k miles on it.

 

So the hub switches should only have two setting Auto and Locked? Sorry if I am sounding repetitive, but I want a strong argument when I present this to my friends.

 

Yes, as far as I know.

 

Thank you Rich. If anybody else wants to post some facts, it will be greatly appreciated.