Did ford make an automatic locking hub for the dana 44 front end in 1977?

 

I belive so, I've seen them in 78 &79's. Same hubs

 

To my knowledge, no. There were manual locking hubs with the NP205 T-case, and locked hubs with with the NP203 (full time). With the latter, the hubs were always engaged, and your drive mode was selected with the T-case (4lo, 4hi, locked, etc.) I know many guys swap out the locked hubs for manual ones so the front drivetrain isn't always spinning.

 

no Ford never made an outo lockinghub until sometime in the 80's

 

This is right.

I want to say very late 80s, they started useing auto hubs.

 

would a newer one work on my application

 

Yes by why? I am serious they are notoriously weak, which is why the guys with them swap them out for manual hubs, they will leave you stuck in some bad situations (they will always break or not work when you need them the absolute worst) cold can cause them to be slow engaging, dirt can cause them to not lock at all, on and on.

 

i have looked at 2 79 f-150s in the last month that have been full time 4wd with the 203 transfer case i dont know if you would consider that auto locking or not

 

chances are those had the "plugs" that basicaly locks the front end solid, and the hubs always engaged. The 203 trans case works like a differential, if it isn't in 'hi-loc' or 'lo-loc' it will slip and power will go to where ever has the least traction, front axle or rear axle, but both axles are always engaged(hence the nickname "fulltime 4x4"). However, some 203 trucks have an aftermarket "parttime kit" with lock outs on a 203.

 

I thought that was fool time 4wd