Manual Warn Hubs
Thread Starter
|
Junior User
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 63
Likes: 0
Manual Warn Hubs
Is it worth buying and installing warn hubs. I have factory auto hubs and a push button 4x4. It seems like sometimes it will not come out of 4 wheel drive after using it. It hammers a couple of times sometimes and then its out. I was wondering also about fuel savings from converting over. I don't use the 4 wheel drive much just in the winter when it snows or for the occasional excursion up the mountain side.
Postmaster
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 4,816
Likes: 1
From: Davis & Newcastle, CA
I would definitely change them as soon as possible! My auto hubs left me stranded near the summit of the Sierra mountains and I had to get towed for $350, then I had to buy chains at the summit for $150 to get home. Would have saved a lot of money if I had taken the advice of people on the forum to just change them.
Warns or Mile Markers would be the way to go. I swapped to Warn premiums and they work great. You are not going to see any difference in gas mileage (assuming you do it right... although I don't know how it can be done wrong). They are no different from the auto hubs except that you lock them manually instead of them locking automatically... I'm not sure where you would find mileage increases there...
Warns or Mile Markers would be the way to go. I swapped to Warn premiums and they work great. You are not going to see any difference in gas mileage (assuming you do it right... although I don't know how it can be done wrong). They are no different from the auto hubs except that you lock them manually instead of them locking automatically... I'm not sure where you would find mileage increases there...
Freshman User
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 35
Likes: 0
i agree with Skandocious.. auto hubs suck.. they will leave you stranded faster than anything if they fail.. the fuel mileage thing is a myth some say you get better with manual cuz your wheels are completly free.. but i dont know about that
Postmaster
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 2,621
Likes: 1
From: Sweetwater Texas
I would definatly get some manual hubs, because the auto hubs have a knack of quiting just when you need them most.
On the mileage, one of my buddy's but a set on a 1993 F150, and he said he got .5mpg better mileage.
On the mileage, one of my buddy's but a set on a 1993 F150, and he said he got .5mpg better mileage.
Postmaster
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 4,816
Likes: 1
From: Davis & Newcastle, CA
I don't buy the better mileage myth for 1 second. Auto hubs are just as much UNLOCKED when 4wd is not engaged as manual hubs are. There are splines inside the hub and the lockout is either ENGAGED or DISENGAGED, theres no in-between as far as I know.
Thread Starter
|
Junior User
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 63
Likes: 0
bummer I wish it wasn't a myth. If the auto hubs keep giving me issues I'm going to swap them out. I also think that a LS rebuild is in order. I just finished doing it to my mustang and it worked great. I added an extra clutch and there are no metal schims beside each other. It goes clutch metal clutch metal clutch metal clutch side gear. Very tight.
Postmaster
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 4,816
Likes: 1
From: Davis & Newcastle, CA
Trending Topics
Postmaster
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 3,441
Likes: 5
From: Muskegon, MI (home)
Manuals all the way! The are virtually trouble free, dependable, durable, simple, and when unlocked there is no way they can accidentally lock back up when driving (my buddies 88 Chivy Suburban did this). They have been known to help a little bit with fuel mileage, and better yet they save wear and tear on front driveline components. Warn, Milemarker, Spicer, Super Winch are all very good and proven brands. BTW the manuals can hang up between lock and free if you have been playing in deep mud and water...not that this has ever happened to me or anything 
If you do find yourself playing in the goo, it would be a good idea to take the hubs apart... clean and lubricate them from time to time.
If you do find yourself playing in the goo, it would be a good idea to take the hubs apart... clean and lubricate them from time to time.
Last edited by Pkupman82; Jul 18, 2007 at 04:02 PM.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies
Joe Kucinski
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make
Brett Foote
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!
Michael S. Palmer
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home
Verdad Gallardo
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?
Brett Foote
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!
Joe Kucinski
Posting Guru
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 1,757
Likes: 2
From: Florida
warn and milemarkers I believe are made by the same company...and I think the MM's are a tad bit cheaper...I had autos on my bronco...they blew up on me and it took longer to pull my truck to the house than it did to switch em out....