Automatic Hubs vs. Manual
Freshman User
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 38
Likes: 0
Auto hubs In my experiance can come unlocked in a 'rocking situation' where your trying to get out of mud or a snow bank, this often resulted in self destructing of the internals. Manuals are tried and true and durable, just gotta lock up before hitting the bad areas where you might need 4wd. Theres no problem leaving then while the possibility you might need 4wd. Most 4wd stuff thes days comes with neither, just permanently locked up such as jeeps with D30`s,all dodge trucks as of 94 up and Chevies with IFS.
Freshman User
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 32
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From: Topeka, KS / Okmulgee, OK
the positive thing about auto hubs is you dont get you boots muddy when you go to lock it in. The negitives are they can and will fail, then you are screwed and stuck. manuals allow you to visually conferm your front end is locked in. they also go out less in fact I have never had a manual hub fail.
Don't hesitate go with manual hubs
Don't hesitate go with manual hubs
Postmaster
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 3,978
Likes: 0
From: Central PA
If you drive on main roads only , don't back up hills with load on bed ,Just use to get out of wet grass. Go with auto. I have had several fail and put pieces parts through hub set up far from home. My newest toy 6 months a 94 F150 SC LB 4x4 had a new Ford installed set put on it weeks before I bought it. $$$$$ I thought I'd leave them on because they were new. I have to back out of my drive in 4x4 when icy. They pop out often and its to cold to swap. With only 15000 mile om them . I know they will self destruck. On my manual hub trucks I put hubs in when bad and they stay in unless I am going over 60 MPH . I have had 15 + trucks and drove 650000 + miles and never losta man hubs Good luck on decision
Elder User
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 580
Likes: 0
From: Chippewa Falls, WI
The only time I liked my old autos was when road conditions would change in a snowstorm. Otherwise I hated them. They always locked and unlocked when I was stuck and after their last use one side grenaded on me thus loosing four wheel drive all together.
Maybe for people who don't drive on bad roads often or like to play they will be fine for the occational snow storm or going thru a muddy field. certainly no good for me.
Maybe for people who don't drive on bad roads often or like to play they will be fine for the occational snow storm or going thru a muddy field. certainly no good for me.
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 12,281
Likes: 1
From: Saskatoon Saskatchewan
I think its safe to say manual is a lot more durable and reliabe only thing its a pain to get out and lock them but you know they are locked autos might not work for you like not lock into 4x4 and may leave you stranded
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 893
Likes: 8
From: Lincoln, Nebraska
the only reason i went with the autos is if for some reason my wife is driving the truck and puts into 4wd for who knows what reason. you guys know how women think sometimes. hahaha. For what i do they are good hunting trips only need to go off road when you shoot something towing the camper and jet ski. since i plow snow (not the my pickup) i need to get to the shop to get the tractor before all the roads are plowed and that is out in the country.
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Junior User
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 61
Likes: 0
Like others have said, you have to look at how you are going to use the truck. If you are going to have to use 4x4 more than once a week, or like to play, then I would suggest manual hubs. For me, I opted to stick with the auto hubs until they fail. I usually only use my 4x4 to get out of wet grass or in the snow. I have shattered one of the hubs but I stumbled on some replacements for very cheap. (Cheaper than I could have gotten manuals.) They are still working and I still have one replacement left. When I start using my truck as a farm truck I may switch to the manuals.
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 126
Likes: 0
From: Indianapolis
Originally Posted by plowboy2155
For me, I opted to stick with the auto hubs until they fail.
Well, at 1:15 am yesterday, in the middle of Indiana's biggest one day "snow event" in probably decades, guess what?- I got my first sign of trouble. The problem is, you get that first sign of trouble when you are STUCK.
To make things even more fun- I went out today, and verified that the front driveshaft is turning, confirming my suspicion of the hubs. I went to the parts store (got stuck a couple more times, thanks so much) got a set of Warns and spindle nuts, and came home to a chilly job of changing the hubs out in the driveway. Well, of course, the lock on my garage door was stuck so I couldn't get to my tools!
Hopefully, I can get the garage dfoor open tomorrow before work so I can change the hubs on Friday when I'm off work. Saturday, we're supposed to get another 4-6 inches and I want to go back to being "snow stud!"
Elder User
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 580
Likes: 0
From: Chippewa Falls, WI
fbama73, At least it was your hubs, I had my transfer case shift motor go out this past fall. As I found out they are very expensive, and kind of a pain in rear to change. I agree, there is something satisfying about grabbing that shifter and KNOWING you are in four wheel drive.
Postmaster
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 3,978
Likes: 0
From: Central PA
Repost well as I said above I didn't think my new auto hubs would last. Well lock her in and tried to get out of level yard with 6 "snow there was snow plow bank by road . 2 ft on the level no stress.pop no 4x4 so I'm swaping out hubs at 25 below with wind. My dad the Dodge guy just happened by and pulled me out in 2x4.
I'll never live it down
I'll never live it down
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 173
Likes: 0
The first thing that went on my 1995 f150 when my dad bought it was a set of warn manual hubs. They have yet to fail once 120k miles later and the only time the truck has been stuck was in my old driveway that made a big sinkhole every spring. It sank right up to the body on the driver side and was still on solid ground on the passenger side. the tow truck was on 3 wheels pulling it out.
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