Original Locking Hubs
I'm new to FTE. I have a 1970 F-250 4x4 with the HD Dana 44 in front, everything stock. My question: It has the original Dana lock-out hubs. How do they rate? I had to tinker with the pass. side one to get it to lock but seems to work okay now. We live several miles off the pavement with a long muddy driveway. I don't want to end up in the winter or after a 2 - 3 inch downpour (which happens!!!) with a four wheel drive turck that only goes in two wheel drive.
I searched the current posts and couldn't find any info on this. What is the consensus about the hubs?
Thanks all, and enjoy the weekend.
When you had it apart, how did it look? Is the body aluminum or steel? How many splines?
Since my first post I have found a picture of the hub on a Chevy that is claimed to be a Spicer OE hub (also on a Dana 44 with enclosed hub). I know Spicer is a part of Dana now. Are they known as Spicer hubs or Hub Lok hubs?
I have a Ford factory schematic that shows a Warn hub and this other style hub which is indicated as being a Dana 3500 lb. on the schematic.
Just to be clear, it may be an old Warn style. I just haven't seen one of these before.
I can e-mail you a copy of the schematic and a picture if you wish.
Thanks for your help!
Last edited by RichS; Jul 8, 2005 at 11:55 PM.
RichS: These hubs are all metal (aluminum and steel) construction with an aluminum grip insert. I was a little puzzled with them at first because I am more familiar with the Warn hubs. After I pulled the pass. side off, and did a little maintenance and lubrication it works great. The truck has less than 70,000 original miles - most of those on pavement. It was originally purchased by a Ford dealership and used, I think, with a tow truck insert in the bed.
The hubs are engaging and pulling fine. If I was going to throw on some large aftermarket tires or be doing serious recreational off-roading I would be more concerned about replacing them. This truck is used for work on the farm not for rock crawling or mud bogging.
Ford_Six, I'm not sure I understand your reasoning that they are weak because they only require a quarter turn to engage. (Also, why would Ford put light duty lock-outs on their HD axle?)
It is a fundamental design difference?
Thank you again both for your insight.





