True to what the KTM rider said...I live in Pittsburgh PA...where its rain, snow, doom, and gloom 80% of the time. If I lived in a place that was flat, warm, and typically dry....like say anywhere else on Earth but the North-East....I may have learned to unlock hubs. It just does not make sense here to unlock them. There is another 4-8" of snow coming today.....4x4 all day long.

If ya live in Texas....you most likely dont need to lock em in but once in a blue moon when you happen to go out in a flat pasture and get stuck in a giant cow patty.... those guys dont need to be perma-locked!

 

are there any aftermarket companies that sell auto locking hubs besides OEM? Im just lazy.

 

No sir. So far as I am aware you have the OEM hubs (Can be found on ebay at times CHEAP) or the aftermarket manual locking hubs.

 

Thats not true. You don't want to run around in 4hi on dry pavement.

When the hubs are locked, it simply means that the front axles are connected to the wheels and the front diff is turning. This can cause some extra vibration due to the front axles turning and of course put wear on the front drivetrain, but other than that there is no problem. When you are in 4 with a part-time transfer case, the front and rear driveshafts have to spin at the same speed. This is fine in a straight line, however when you turn there has to be some wheel slip otherwise you will break parts.

Also, WARN hubs are the best in my opinion. I swapped the auto hubs on my Explorer over to Warn manuals and it is the BEST thing I have done for that truck.

Also, to the guy that complained about manuals, you have to remember to lock the hubs if you even think that you will need 4 wheel drive, that way you don't get yourself into a situation where you need to get out in the middle of a mud pit, on a boat ramp or in deep snow.

 

Forgot to mention that for every day driving up here in Fargo, ND I leave the hubs locked in for the icey patches and nasty parking lots. If I am making a run to Minneapolis/St. Paul or doing any highway driving I usually unlock them.

 

--mr? aint that what gone typed?

 

The Excursions are still working 170K miles, knock on wood.
F250's lasted until 150K miles, replaced with Warns.
F350 was bought at 120K miles with Warn Premiums.

The F250's Warn's are much easier to turn than the premiums as they have be turned a full rotation when the regular Warns only need to be turned a little ways.

With the deep opening on the F350 dually front had my mechanic make me a couple tools to turn the hubs and they work excellent. One goes in each door, very simple to use.

With both Warns the 4x4 does not engage unless the fronts are locked in. No automatic feature unless you go with Fords hubs.

 

I know guys who run locked in all Winter with no issues in there Ford Super Duty's.

Personally I figure the fuel mileage is better in two wheel drive so they get locked in only when needed.

 

He was talking about about simply locking in the hubs, which is fine on dry pavement. You don't want to roll around with the transfer case in 4hi or 4lo on dry pavement due to torque bind.

 

i found that the OEM hubs non auto hub were $430 each ( canadaian dealership) and the warn premium hubs were $350 pr... no brainer in my opinion. I kept mine locked when the raods were bad and free when they are not . Usually locked for the weekend hunts and free back and forth to work all week.

 

---
rat!!! you should be able to pick warn premies up for a whole lot less than that!!
i just put warn in my search and found-em for $171.00

 

No kidding. I found mine for something like $130, but it was for my Explorer. They guy at Garrys automotive was the best price for me.

 

$165-200 US for the Warn Premiums and a little less for the regular Warns.
Ford wanted more for one than two Warns!

 

sure i could get them for about $200 us but then theirs exchange and shipping and duty and tax and on and on. local parts store 2 days $335 out the door

 

Whoops, didn't see that you are in Canada. That explains the higher prices.