Auto/Manual Hub Curiousity
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Auto/Manual Hub Curiousity
Alright, My F-250 is my 3rd 4x4 truck, so I am in no way new to it's operations. This is more an opinion question.
My first truck was a 1989 Bronco II which had automatic (junk) hubs and a electric shift t-case. I swapped in manual hubs, and a manual t-case. I lock the hubs when it snows and leave them locked until it's all melted. But it also gets good gas mileage. (I still have and drive this truck)
My next truck was a 2001 Ranger which I traded in on the F-250. It did not have hubs, all I had to do was flip the switch.
Now here is my question. I live in Ohio, one minute there is snow, the next minute it is dry as a bone. Would I be better off to lock in the manual hubs when I think I will be flipping between 2 and 4 wheel drive a bit? Most of the main road get cleaned fast so I would use 2WD, but the side streets which I live on are never cleaned so I use 4WD. So I switch quite a bit.
Are the "Automatic" part of the hubs reliable enough to be locked and unlocked 4 or 5 times in a 5 mile trip or would I be better to lock them and go? I am trying to save some mileage, but don't want to break the truck in the process
Opinions.. Thanks
My first truck was a 1989 Bronco II which had automatic (junk) hubs and a electric shift t-case. I swapped in manual hubs, and a manual t-case. I lock the hubs when it snows and leave them locked until it's all melted. But it also gets good gas mileage. (I still have and drive this truck)
My next truck was a 2001 Ranger which I traded in on the F-250. It did not have hubs, all I had to do was flip the switch.
Now here is my question. I live in Ohio, one minute there is snow, the next minute it is dry as a bone. Would I be better off to lock in the manual hubs when I think I will be flipping between 2 and 4 wheel drive a bit? Most of the main road get cleaned fast so I would use 2WD, but the side streets which I live on are never cleaned so I use 4WD. So I switch quite a bit.
Are the "Automatic" part of the hubs reliable enough to be locked and unlocked 4 or 5 times in a 5 mile trip or would I be better to lock them and go? I am trying to save some mileage, but don't want to break the truck in the process
Opinions.. Thanks
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 357
Likes: 1
What year is the F-250?
I have auto hubs and the push switch and haven't had troubles with them... yet.
I live in Michigan, where the weather is even BETTER and less predictable than Ohio.
I will engage my 4wd when I am going to pull into my drive (its very long and steep) or when I am accellerating from a stop/backing out of a driveway onto a side street. Also if I am going to turn onto a snowy street, I like having the front end pulling me the way I want to go so that if the rear end does get behind me, I am still facing the right direction, as opposed to spinning out.
I usually use it up to 15 or 20 MPH, and then put it back into 2wd, as handling and accelleration are both almost as good then as when in 4wd.
I try to use it as little as possible, to reduce wear on the front end parts and save on gas. I only use it when I need it.
Just my personal opinion
~Matt
I have auto hubs and the push switch and haven't had troubles with them... yet.
I live in Michigan, where the weather is even BETTER and less predictable than Ohio.
I will engage my 4wd when I am going to pull into my drive (its very long and steep) or when I am accellerating from a stop/backing out of a driveway onto a side street. Also if I am going to turn onto a snowy street, I like having the front end pulling me the way I want to go so that if the rear end does get behind me, I am still facing the right direction, as opposed to spinning out.
I usually use it up to 15 or 20 MPH, and then put it back into 2wd, as handling and accelleration are both almost as good then as when in 4wd.
I try to use it as little as possible, to reduce wear on the front end parts and save on gas. I only use it when I need it.
Just my personal opinion
~Matt
