I have a 1995 F350 XLT. 7.5, 4x4, with manual locking hubs (stupid *** invention, howcome there isnt automatic, any advantages???!). Anyway, after I am already pissed that I have to get out of the truck to turn the hubs, I cant get the 4x4 into Low, high is a peach, but I cant understand how to get it to go into Low, I feel like I am going to snap the shifter trying to pry down. Any reason for this? Do I need to put the transmission in N or something?

 

Yes, you must come to a complete stop, and then place the automatic trans in neutral (push on the clutch for stick), and then shift into 4-low. Try not to stop at neutral (t-case).
You should read a few of the posts around these forums, regarding opinions on crappy auto hubs. Most guys, including myself, ditch brand new autos, for the reliability of manual lock-outs. Some might argue, no most would argue that the auto hubs are the stoooopid invention.

 

I am on the most would argue that auto hubs are stupid bandwagon.

 

auto hubs arent stupid.....they're a totally retarded invention right there beside electronic t-cases. If you must complain about getting out to lock the hubs in, buy a 2wd.

 

Well, the automatic hubs will break and leave your 4x4 a 4x2 long before a manual hub will break. Another thing to consider is that with manual hubs, it makes you get out and study the terrain and size up the situation before you just go plowing in. If your'e against getting out of the truck and turning a hub a quarter turn, perhaps having a 4x4 isn't for you.

 

FordF350Baby: Hope we did not scare you off. You have a nice truck with a desireable combo. Many of us upgrade components, just to get what the factory installed on yours when it was new. The bottom line is getting your truck into 4-lo. Hope you can figure it out.
For all its worth, When I know I am going to use 4 wheel drive, I lock the hubs before I leave the driveway. This allows me to get the lube moving around up front before I hit the trails, or the mud hole. I also engage the truck in and out of 4-hi, and 4-lo before I get to the mud, so I don't look like a sucka with a 4wheel drive system, that didn't work in the first place. I pull out many trucks with failed equipment, or operators that were too lazy to get out and lock in, or take a moment or two to verify everythig worked first. We are not picking on you, just havin fun. Good luck with the 4-lo thing.

 

Also make sure that your pushing DOWN on the shifter **** after 4-N to pull back into 4-LO. With 4-HI you can just click back, but with 4-LO you have to push down on the **** and pull back.

While manual hubs are an inconvienance they (as noted) are not very reliable. The only auto-hubs I like are on my brothers Dodge 2500 V-10, they are vacuum operated and have withstood unimaginable things... if anyone USES if not ABUSES a truck it's my brother. I however have never heard anything good about Ford auto-hubs.

You could be like my dad, and just drive around in the winter with the hubs always locked because he doesn't want to get out in the cold (really cause he wants immediate 4x4 if he needs it) but I wouldn't suggest it. Causes alot of undue wear and kills mileage (about 1-3 mpg less)

If you want... send me a PM, i'll buy your truck off you and you can pick one up with auto hubs. No really... im serious.

-myers

 

My recollection of the '95 F-350 t-case shift lever is that you push the **** straight down to go from 4-hi to N. If you're "prying" it, it almost sounds like you're pulling it toward the driver's door, and that's not right. It goes straight down, toward the ground. If it won't move, the linkage may have frozen up from disuse, and you'll have to free it up.

*As to why manual hubs were invented, they were invented BEFORE auto hubs, like manual transmissions preceded auto trannys. In both cases, both options still exist because different people have different preferences.

 

FordF350Baby,

Go here then click on the "Owner Guides" link left side column. Then select 1996 (same as your 1995) then select model, then click on the owners guide and start reading at page 187. It tells you how to operate your 4wd system.

http://www.motorcraftservice.com/vdi...ageid=&gutsid=

If you have a factory manual in your glove box then just

Read 75F350 & Fal Grunt posts as they are very accurate.

As for wanting auto hubs, as the others have said they will leave you stranded far quicker than manual hubs, as the auto hubs system that was installed in those trucks was known for major problems, they need to be serviced often

If you don't like to remember to lock your manual hubs, then lock them in October and unlock them in April.

Hope this helps

 

Woah, just got back from work, and there was a mini Boston Tea Party in this side of the forum! Settle down boys, you all made very good points. I am relatively knew to the Older style truck, and 350 model. The truck I had been using primarily was my dads 99 F150, with auto hubs, and it never gave us a problem, so compared to that system, this one seems out of date. But I am quickly learning to suck it up and get use to it. I didnt know that the auto hubs were so troublesome. I wont leave them in because you are correct, it will cause unneeded wear on my brand new Pirellies, and drag on corners. And yes, I am a guy that needs his 4x4, a truck is useless without it, I dont care what anyone says, your truck becomes a very unuseful piece of crap when you cant stick into 4 wheel drive when your in any off road situation or even a snowstorm. Thank you guys, I will go try the 4 wheel drive. Tomorrow it snows and will be the first time I have used the 4 wheel drive on the roads since I got the truck back in May. Of course then it didnt run. I will let you know how it goes, in terms of using Low, which is rare, but I will do it somewhere off road so I dont burn it out on the main road. Thanks. Sorry boys if I came off conceded or rude, lucky to have such a knowledgeable crew of guys with expert advise for free.

 

No problem, you seem to know your way around 4x4 so I won't tell you about it's use on the road. However if it's not a full-time... then I wouldn't use it except in really bad situations, knowing that the BW case that is in your truck isn't full-time i'd tell you to go easy on the 4x4.

Your dad's truck is also alot different due to weight tolerances. The F-150 front end is ALOT lighter than your F-350 and so doesn't experiences the stresses and whatnot that One Tons are subjected to.

Generaly I run my F-350 in 2 wheel unless theres alot of snow and ice on the ground. If there isn't then I just dont like subjecting my Transfer Case to that kind of wear. Problem also being that my F-350 should have a LS, but with 272,000+ the clutches are worn out, so often it is NECESSARY to run 4WD. However I still do it with discretion if I can't get out with wheel spin control, lower gear, or other means.

While I don't know what you do with your truck, chances are you won't NEED your 4LO... I havn't used it except 3 years ago to get through some snow banks, and I didn't even use it this week to pull a 25,000lbs U-Hual truck out of a field. I stuck it in 4LO just to see what would happen and the truck just sat there on it's own with the tires spinning slowly. not what you need

Stick around the forum... im sure you've learned alot already. In time you'll learn your trucks perks and downfalls. this forum helps!!!

(sorry for the long post... long day at work... and some long pints tonight)
-myers

 

Dont worry man, mine was just as long. Yeah, the only time I would use the 4 low, is when we pull a 6,000lb woodchipper down a one way graveled road, where theres often very hilly, and muddy spots, and its nice to have that low end resistence, I havent been able to put it in, just basing this off my dads truck. Thanks

 

another advantage to the manual locking hubs is that you can put the truck into 4 low without locking the hubs to make backing a trailer a little easier, or pulling a trailer around a field or something, puts a little less stress on the tranny for low speed situations.

and i can take that truck of your hands for you if you can't get over having manual hubs

 

No...I'll fight you for it!

 

WAIT WAIT WAIT!!! I had first dibs thank you very much!!! -myers