hubs
Postmaster
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 3,742
Likes: 2
From: UT
Just to be clear, you have manual hubs and want to swap to auto hubs? Auto hubs were an option in '88. I expect the best source will be a junk yard. The problem with used auto hubs is that these have a tendency to go bad, so it might be hit or miss trying to get functional pair. You would look for any '80's Ranger/BII. make sure it has the Dana 28 front end (D35 didn't show up until '90).
Wait around here long enough, and someone will be more than happy to exchange their auto hubs for your manual hubs (most people I run into on these boards don't like the auto hubs). Or you might get an offer from someone who recently swapped to manual hubs to buy their old set of auto hubs.
You can probably buy them new, but one auto hub costs as much as two manual hubs.
Wait around here long enough, and someone will be more than happy to exchange their auto hubs for your manual hubs (most people I run into on these boards don't like the auto hubs). Or you might get an offer from someone who recently swapped to manual hubs to buy their old set of auto hubs.
You can probably buy them new, but one auto hub costs as much as two manual hubs.
Thread Starter
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Junior User
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 71
Likes: 0
ya i know they arnt the greatest but i am in and out of 4 wheel drive atleast twice a day and highway between. i thought it would be nice not to have to lock and unlock my hubs constantly. because there is a major fuel milage drop if i leave them locked
Postmaster
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 3,742
Likes: 2
From: UT
I can understand the desire for convenience. A couple of points:
1) In order to unlock the auto hubs, you have to stop, put the tcase in 2H and back up (the manual says 10 ft). I'm not certain this is more convenient than unlocking manual hubs. Maybe a tiny bit.
2) Do you have an electric shift or manual shift t-case? I know the electric shift t-cases have a mechanism for bringing the front driveshaft up to speed before "locking" the t-case. I'm not sure if the manual shift t-cases have this feature. With an electric shift t-case, you will certainly gain some convenience when you shift from 2H to 4H. If manual t-cases have this feature, then you will gain convenience. If manual t-cases don't have this feature (and you have a manual t-case), then you'd still have to come to a near stop before shifting from 2H to 4H. In this last case, the extra convenience wouldn't be near as significant.
Your call if you want to get auto hubs. As noted, they aren't as reliable as manual hubs, but maybe the extra convenience is worth it to you. If you decide you want them, I know you'll be able to find a pair of used hubs somewhere. Ford might even still carry new hubs.
1) In order to unlock the auto hubs, you have to stop, put the tcase in 2H and back up (the manual says 10 ft). I'm not certain this is more convenient than unlocking manual hubs. Maybe a tiny bit.
2) Do you have an electric shift or manual shift t-case? I know the electric shift t-cases have a mechanism for bringing the front driveshaft up to speed before "locking" the t-case. I'm not sure if the manual shift t-cases have this feature. With an electric shift t-case, you will certainly gain some convenience when you shift from 2H to 4H. If manual t-cases have this feature, then you will gain convenience. If manual t-cases don't have this feature (and you have a manual t-case), then you'd still have to come to a near stop before shifting from 2H to 4H. In this last case, the extra convenience wouldn't be near as significant.
Your call if you want to get auto hubs. As noted, they aren't as reliable as manual hubs, but maybe the extra convenience is worth it to you. If you decide you want them, I know you'll be able to find a pair of used hubs somewhere. Ford might even still carry new hubs.
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Joined: Jul 2003
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From: north carolina
i have an 86 ranger with manuel t-case. same bw 13-50 as the bII and if my front hubs are locked in, i can shift tween 2h and 4h on the fly, you only have to stop when going into 4l. also a bonus with manuel hubs is you get 2L (4l with out the front hubs locked)
