manual hubs
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Joined: Mar 2004
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manual hubs
ok guys I need some good advice here. I have a 2004 F350 4x4 supercab longbox with the 6.8 L V10 and a 6 speed manual. I love my truck but my manual factory hubs are seizing up and becoming very unreliable. I need some good recommendations for top quality aftermarket hubs....I heard good things about Warn hubs but I am interested in anything that you guys have had good results with. Any info would be greatly appreciated.
thanks.
thanks.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jun 2005
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From: central Louisiana
go with the WARN Premium hubs! it will be worth the $170-$200!! i've had them for about 2 years now, i don't go wheelin in my SD. but i tell ya there are some NASTY pit areas at the tracks i haul my race truck too. i'll lock them in when pulling into and out of the pit areas if it even has a tinge of slickness to it!
you'll probably get this responce from some people "why give up your auto hubs for manual? then you have to get out when your stuck in the mud and get all nasty and then get back into your truck!"
here's my responce: "if your a "smart" 4-wheeler, or truck driver at that, you'll have them locked in BEFORE you get into that type of jam!"
i always lock mine in when pulling into the gate at a track. THEN if it is nasty in there, all i have to do is turn the ESOF **** and i'm good-to-go! even thought i VERY VERY much dislike the ESOF, some times it's handy! i just hate relying on a electric motor to enguage my 4x4, but that's a whole nother subject, hahaha!
you'll probably get this responce from some people "why give up your auto hubs for manual? then you have to get out when your stuck in the mud and get all nasty and then get back into your truck!"
here's my responce: "if your a "smart" 4-wheeler, or truck driver at that, you'll have them locked in BEFORE you get into that type of jam!"
i always lock mine in when pulling into the gate at a track. THEN if it is nasty in there, all i have to do is turn the ESOF **** and i'm good-to-go! even thought i VERY VERY much dislike the ESOF, some times it's handy! i just hate relying on a electric motor to enguage my 4x4, but that's a whole nother subject, hahaha!
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I have used the Warn premium hubs in my '88 Suburban for the past 2 years. No problems ever, and you know when they are engaged. It takes 9/10 of a turn to lock them in. No experience with the Mile Makers though.
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Posting Guru
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From: central Louisiana
here's MY experience with Mile Markers..........
i'll set the scene: 79 chevy mud race (drag) truck, 500+rwhp, dana 44 front (spooled w/ manual hubs), GM 14 bolt (9.5 ring gear)rear (locked), TH350 w/ trans-brake.........LAUNCH @ 35-3800RPMS in Low-transfer............trans-brake let go, drive train turns, rear 38.5 boggers gripped............FRONT boggers dug, heard a SNAP, heard a GRIND, went the lengh of the track in 2wd-Low!!
after further inspection the next day, i found the inner gears of the hubs STRIPPED! they were slicker than a baby's butt!
i ordered a set of WARN Premiums and i havn't had any issues at all! now i know that most SD's arn't put threw as harsh conditions as i put my race truck, so Mile Markers will probably do great. but i'm still a WARN user all the way!
i'll set the scene: 79 chevy mud race (drag) truck, 500+rwhp, dana 44 front (spooled w/ manual hubs), GM 14 bolt (9.5 ring gear)rear (locked), TH350 w/ trans-brake.........LAUNCH @ 35-3800RPMS in Low-transfer............trans-brake let go, drive train turns, rear 38.5 boggers gripped............FRONT boggers dug, heard a SNAP, heard a GRIND, went the lengh of the track in 2wd-Low!!
after further inspection the next day, i found the inner gears of the hubs STRIPPED! they were slicker than a baby's butt!
i ordered a set of WARN Premiums and i havn't had any issues at all! now i know that most SD's arn't put threw as harsh conditions as i put my race truck, so Mile Markers will probably do great. but i'm still a WARN user all the way!
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Joined: Feb 2005
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From: GA
dont be afraid of mile marker hubs, i run the 35 spliners in my wheeling rig, as well as my buddy in his with 39 irocs....the insides are just as well built as a warn premium for a fraction of the cost
in my opinion, if you start breaking locking hubs on a regular basis that arent factory hubs, you need drive flanges...if my mile markers ever go, in go the flanges
in my opinion, if you start breaking locking hubs on a regular basis that arent factory hubs, you need drive flanges...if my mile markers ever go, in go the flanges
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From: Long Island USA
It's interesting to note that someone makes "fuses" for Warn hubs. They are rings that are calibrated to break before the u-joint or axle stub. That way, you have no permanent damage. They say to keep an extra set in your trail repair kit 
Warn or MM, anything is better than the stock units. If you are already having problems, replace them now with something that will work forever. An option is a junkyard set of hubs, but brand-new from a dealer is gonna cost you. In that case, Warn/MM is a better choice.
(Don't get me wrong, you need to maintain even Warn/MM's, but at least they can be worked on. And you have that lifetime warranty on both makes)
Warn or MM, anything is better than the stock units. If you are already having problems, replace them now with something that will work forever. An option is a junkyard set of hubs, but brand-new from a dealer is gonna cost you. In that case, Warn/MM is a better choice.
(Don't get me wrong, you need to maintain even Warn/MM's, but at least they can be worked on. And you have that lifetime warranty on both makes)
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From: central Louisiana
i'v heard of the "fuses" too, never used one, or seen what they look like. i just wonder how durable they are, i mean i wouldn't want one to "blow" durring launch because it's a strong jolt......well pretty much threw the whole truck, hahahaha!
Its Comin Right for us!
Joined: Feb 2005
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From: GA
the fuses arent durable at all, thats why you dont hear of many people running them....do a little research, theres an article somewhere that shows ft lbs the fuses will take and what stock hubs and stock axles will take in a 44
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From: Long Island USA
Originally Posted by KubotaOrange76
the fuses arent durable at all, thats why you dont hear of many people running them....do a little research, theres an article somewhere that shows ft lbs the fuses will take and what stock hubs and stock axles will take in a 44
Which to me means the Warn hubs will hold up to more than the axle or u-joint will.
But, we're talking about a Dana 60 front-end anyway...