I've owned trucks with the manual transfer case systems and manual locking hubs and I've also owned trucks with electronic systems with automatic hubs. And I've been telling people all along that neither is better than the other. Some people swear that a manual system is stronger, more reliable, etc. I say BS. The last set of manual locking hubs I had gave me fits, and even a manual transfer case can have it's problems. Many companies (almost all of them) are now going to more convenient pushbutton or switch operated 4x4 systems. These systems are easy to use, harder for women and teenagers to accidentally tear up, and seem to be strong systems afterall. They don't offer a neutral position which stinks....but oh well.

I looked at a brand new 2003 SuperDuty with the 6.0 diesel, and it now has the switch operated 4x4 just like my Ranger. I asked the dealer and he said they don't think they'll even be able to get a manual transfer case truck anymore.

So I guess if you love the older style manual transfer case / manual hubs setup, it would be a good idea to buy a couple and hang on to them. They might be obsolete in a year or two.


:-X12 Happy Holidays

 

Hi-
Well I think if your handicapped or a soccer mom then they're better

 

It's a proven fact that manual hubs and a manually shifted T/C are stronger and more reliable. Less parts and moving things with stronger parts. If the hubs were installed and maintained correctly you shouldn't have a problem. Ford says it right in the owners manual that if you're going to be in heavy duty use, get the manual hubs. They might have improved the auto hubs from before but, if thats what you feel then I respect your opionion, as I reserve the right to have my own opionion .


Primary rig is Green Thunder:
95' F-150 XLT 4x4, 302, 5 spd, MSD 6A, Flowmaster Exhaust, Sunroof, Clear corners w/ Diamond headlights, CD player with 2 10" subs and some 32" BFG Muds .

Check out my Gallery for a look-see.


Justin - One Happy FTE Member

 

The electronic junk are for yuppies that should be driving Cadillac Escalades!! Manual stuff all the way!:-X12

 

Everyone's opionion is very valid, but I dont think we need to argue which one is better. Everyone has their own opinion on which one they like better and maybe we should keep it that way, I see an argument coming on that probably isn't helpful.


Primary rig is Green Thunder:
95' F-150 XLT 4x4, 302, 5 spd, MSD 6A, Flowmaster Exhaust, Sunroof, Clear corners w/ Diamond headlights, CD player with 2 10" subs and some 32" BFG Muds .

Check out my Gallery for a look-see.


Justin - One Happy FTE Member

 

>They don't offer a neutral
>position which stinks....but oh well.
>

I never did use that neutral position, what's it there for anyway?

 

The neutral transfer case position goes back to the old PTO days. When you run your power take-off you would put it in neutral

 

oh damn...and here all along i thought nuetral was for 4 low transfer case drops....its fun to smoke them in all four, JUST KIDDING....i'd never abuse such a cool part like a transfer case.....LOL...


Ryan

 

The neutral position was nice for towing the vehicle if it became necessary.

And I'm not starting a fight here...I'm just asking why even the SuperDuty trucks are going away from the manual setup if the manual was supposedly so much stronger.


?

 

>The neutral position was nice for towing the vehicle if it
>became necessary.
>
>And I'm not starting a fight here...I'm just asking why even
>the SuperDuty trucks are going away from the manual setup if
>the manual was supposedly so much stronger.

Oh I understand you weren't trying to pick a fight, clear as a bell. I was just trying to prevent an Auto/manual battle like we've had before.

Primary rig is Green Thunder:
95' F-150 XLT 4x4, 302, 5 spd, MSD 6A, Flowmaster Exhaust, Sunroof, Clear corners w/ Diamond headlights, CD player with 2 10" subs and some 32" BFG Muds .

Check out my Gallery for a look-see.


Justin - One Happy FTE Member

 

Superduty trucks are not going away from manual tranfer cases. This is just how the dealership chooses to order them. I confronted a salesmen on this issue once showing him that I knew exactly what I was talking about. He did not give me the usual B.S. that they would give you. He was straight forward and told me that that is just how they order them. I like to go around in the dealership and see how many trucks have a manual transfer case. I find some and all the time when I find them they are trucks with plows, dumps, or are used for some type of heavy duty work. My parents 2003 F-150 has a manual tranfer case because thats the way my dad wants it. The problem with the electronic shift cases is more than likely not in the case strenght itself, but in the reliability of the motor actuating the tranfer case when it is supposed to. When these type of units are used they most of time go unused and collect dirt and grime and make it hard for them to function properly. I have never ruined a manual transfer case. We have four 4WD trucks, every single one has a manual tranny with a manual T-case. Every single one works with over 100,000 miles on 3 of them. The other is in the FX4 Ranger which is new so that doesn't count. But our 82 Bronco has 190,000 on the NP208 and it shifts into 4 wheel like a dream. I did burn up the lockouts on the truck but they were the stock ones. Solved the problem with a set of Warn's with the two peice design. No problems now. Although if you don't have the little lock ring seated right inside, you can burn those up as well.

 

The reason why more and more trucks use pushbutton 4x4 is because these trucks are now being used as grocery machines. Its a proven fact that most trucks NEVER in their entire life use 4x4. And if they do, it is usually because Old Fart didn't want his tires to slip comming out of the boat ramp, or the roads were a little icy. What a waste it would be to put manual hubs and manual transfer case on for these kind of people.

 

If I need parts for my truck 15-30 years from now, I rather have a manual transfer case/manual hubs than an electronic switch/auto hubs. Same thing as standard vs. auto and carb. vs. efi. drum vs. disc.

Drums brakes are far cheaper to own (and I have a truck with four of them) though I admit I wish I had front disc brakes instead. The drums just require more attention (and less money) than disc brakes to own or repair.

 

i am a firm believer in the fact that electronics are best left to an on road car. They are just to finikey to fix out in the field when they go out. The simple fact is the less electronic more manual stuff the better. Esspecially in an off roading, that said i will never be cought dead in an electronic t-case rig off the road.

 

>Everyone's opionion is very valid, but I dont think we need
>to argue which one is better. Everyone has their own opinion
>on which one they like better and maybe we should keep it
>that way, I see an argument coming on that probably isn't
>helpful.
>
>
>Primary rig is Green Thunder:
>95' F-150 XLT 4x4, 302, 5 spd, MSD 6A, Flowmaster Exhaust,
>Sunroof, Clear corners w/ Diamond headlights, CD player with
>2 10" subs and some 32" BFG Muds .
>
>Check out my Gallery for a look-see.
>
>
>Justin - One Happy FTE Member

As long as it goes into 4X4 when you push, mash, rotate, shift, shove or hammer on it, then that's all that matters. It doesn't matter if it's manual or automatic

When they DON'T work, now, that's a different story.

Larry