I am new to the Ford world and so far love it. My question
is reguarding the auto hubs Ford has. What are they for?
I have a 99 f-250 crew with electronic shift on the fly. When I switch from 2wd to 4wd you hear it engage and I'm in 4wd. Why would you need the manual option?

 

For those that have the electric transfer case, auto hubs are probably fine. There have been a fair amount of failures of auto hubs when used in extreme conditions that most of us never see.

I have the manual lever-type transfer case. Auto hubs did not give me true shift-on-the-fly anyway. Now I can lock in the hubs before I reach a trail or the snow and have shift-on-the-fly when I need it.

One thing I have used manual hubs for is selecting 4-LOW without engaging the hubs to get a "granny low" gear in 2WD.

Jim

 

The auto hubs are weaker. Manuals are much stronger. Manuals are far better in my opinion.


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 .

Thats it for now, saving for a stang. Check out my Gallery for a look-see.


Justin

 

Jim I right. Most true off roaders never use the automatic hubs. They do give problems from time to time. If you don't do much off road driving then you probably will be pleased with the automatic hubs. When I ordered my truck I ordered it with the manual hubs. When I lock the front in, I know it's locked in.

 

Another gripe other then strength, is trying to pull someone out. If you backup 10 feet it will unlock, so when you go to try and pull someone out, you have to drive forward 10 feet before 4x4 will kick in. The auto hubs have a bad habit of breaking when you really need it. I would never leave auto hubs in there. Also, with manuals, you can leave the hubs unlocked, and put the transfer case in 4L, and actually have 2L. I use it for backing up trailers and pulling out of boat ramps where 4x4 can't be used (pavement).


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 .

Thats it for now, saving for a stang. Check out my Gallery for a look-see.


Justin

 

[updated:LAST EDITED ON 09-Oct-02 AT 00:32 AM (EST)]In the cold, 15 degrees and less, the grease coagulates and tends to prevent an auto hub from engaging properly. you spin a rear tire on ice thinking you are in 4x4, the front drive line spins, axle spins and the hub suddently tries to engage with the fron tire moving slower than the rear. Kapowee now your chaining up if you plan to go anywhere off the highway. I lock mine in November and unlock them in April, the mileage drop is minimal and i love it when i do spin out even on the highway all i have to do is reach down and pull her into 4x4 and give her a little throttle and the truck staitens right out especially with a trailer. LOL

https://www.ford-trucks.com/user_gallery/displaythumbnail.php?&photoid=4039&.jpg
https://www.ford-trucks.com/user_gallery/displaythumbnail.php?&photoid=474&.jpg

Why Buy new when you can build and tailor it cheaper?
(updated) F-350 4x4 ext cab Short Bed Green Monster, it is now Sporting a 300HP 715lb/ft Dyno rated 5.9L 12v Cummins diesel now w/ NV5600 6 spd and custom NP205 ford T-case w/ rear spicer 1410 yoke, 3.55 gears using the 41 spline pinion and 1410 U-Joints, Power-Lok equipt Dana 60 front and posi rear, 315/75's on 16x8" Outlaw II's. (Used to have)205000 miles, Mass air 460 w/ performance heads and a E40d to 5spd conversion and Doug Thorleys. Old EFI 460 @10 MPG to the 12 V @ 23.2 MPG @ 75 MPH and loving it.
My other toy is a '69 CJ-5 354 Hemi 4 spd 4.88's 32x12.50 MThompsons w/ power-lok 44 rear.

 

in the 96 modle i had i blew up the auto hubs several times and they were covered by warrenty

but ofter my 5th auto hub blowing out i went and bought manual ones

never broke one sence

 

I definitely have peace of mind with my manual hubs on my truck. I had a pretty bad off-roading experience in a chevy a few years back where the auto hubs died deep into a trail. Luckily my friend had his tow-straps with me and was able to help me through the bad spots. That'll teach me to off-road in a chevy!! Hence, now I have my Ford w/manuals.

James Kern
1970 F250 4x4

 

manual hubs all the way. they are stronger and to me id rather lock the hubs my self so that i klnow that they are engaging. and as for that push button or switch four wheeldrive.......... well they can pack sand. i want to be able to feel that lever enguaging the t-case when i need it so i know it is locked.
'75 F-100 4x4, 4" lift
35x15.5x15 super swamper TSL/SX
mini-spooled 9" rear end
390 w/ cam,headers,
and 4 barrell edelbrock

TRIED TRUE and FORD BLUE

 

first thing before you get gung ho for the mud ,snow or sand make sure all tires are moving before hitting the terrain i learned my lession well but the manuals are a better choice there is less chance of a snag to disconnet the solinode to pop it out of for wheel when you are in a bad situation hope this helps
bad 78 f 250