hi all. i have a '99 super duty F-350 with manual locking hubs and the floor shifter. two questions:

1. the letters on the hubs are worn out. am i correct in assuming that to LOCK i turn the hub CLOCKWISE, and to UNLOCK i turn the hub COUNTER-CLOCKWISE? i ask because i swear that in the manual the picture shows LOCK on the left (counter-clockwise) and FREE on the right (clockwise). maybe someone could look at their manual and tell me what theirs says? when i turn both hubs clockwise and shift into 4HI, it seems to be in four wheel drive. is it at all possible that my system is different? i doubt it, but i thought i'd ask. it must be a misprint?

2. i have read that even with the manual locking hubs and the floor shifter that i can "shift on the fly" with the hubs locked. so, that means that if my hubs are locked, and i am in 2HI, if i am going, say, 15mph, i can reach down, shift into 4HI, and it will go right into 4 wheel drive? also, if i am driving (under 50mph, of course), and i shift out of 4wd to 2wd, will it really disengage? i had been told that i need to drive backwards for a few feet to truly disengage from 4wd.

sorry for the length of this post, but it would be great to know the answers to these questions once and for all!

thanks!

 

I can't answer question 1.. Its cold out and icey so my hubs are frosted.. As for 2 yes.. You lock your hubs and you can transfer into 4H and out at no more then 55mph.. Only thing that happens is you get horrible MPG with the front hubs locked..

 

You are correct, "clockwise" to lock. The picture would appear that the lock is on the left, because the dial has to be turned so far around, it looks like it is on the left of the "free" mark.
As for the t-case, you are able to engage, and disengage 4-hi at any speed at or under 50 - 55 mph. Once the lever is in 2wd, the case will no longer apply power to the front output shaft. Driving backwards is not necessary. This method is recommended for vehicles with auto hubs, that might otherwise stay engaged.

 

Clockwise to lock.

Counterclockwise to free.

 

great, thanks. follow-up question:

I didn't know that you should engage the 4wd system once a month, and i was living in los angeles last year for many months and never used 4wd. since it's winter where i live now, and snowing, i have used it a couple times, and it seems to be working fine, but is it possible i screwed something up by not "lubing" the system once a month for a few months? also, what do you do if you are living in a place where you have no way to drive on anything other than dry pavement? wait till it rains?

 

You can always engage 4hi without locking the hubs, that would do the trick. Or find a dirt road. I am always looking for a reason to lock em in.
Lack of lube means that a gear or bearing that is only half submerged, may corrode due to condensation build up inside of the diff. Regular use, or engaging 4x4 once in a while will lube everything up, and the increased temps will burn off any condensation.
Doubt that you hurt anything by not using it. The weather does not change around here too much, so condensation is not that great a factor.