electric vs. manual hubs

[fordfanatic75]

Now this is probly going to sound silly, but i am considering swaping out my manuals for elecs. Yea i know there better and all that but i don't do anything real serious in THIS rig. Wanted to know, is it just the hubs that are dif. can i swap elecs into my axl, and how do they work? Do i have to run wires to them or what? I have never dealt with them. This is for my 88' with d44 ifs.

 

[Justshootme84]

The automatic hubs are not electric or vacuum powered, and only the hub itslef is different from the manuals. BUT, I can speak from experience on this one, if you already have manual hubs you do not want to switch to autos, as they will fail more often and leave you stranded out in the boonies. You can leave the manual hubs locked in and still use 2WD, if you are constantly changing road surfaces and switching from 2WD to 4WD and back.. Just don't run them on the pavement for a long time.

 

[Shadow_D]

JSM is right. I was driving my Father's Expedition this winter and I never knew if it was really locked or not, most times it didn't feel like it.

Stay with the manuals! Autos **** IMO.

 

[fordfanatic75]

JSM is right. I was driving my Father's Expedition this winter and I never knew if it was really locked or not, most times it didn't feel like it.
Stay with the manuals! Autos **** IMO.

20426[/snapback]

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so guys i'm confused, if there not elec. or vac. how do they lock and unlock?

 

[BLADE262US]

Theres like a teflon ring in there that when the axle starts to turn it turns the hub and engages the splines I beleive that on all these type you must drive in reverse a few feet to unlock them . /emoticons/[email protected] 2x" width="20" height="20" />

 

[fordfanatic75]

Theres like a teflon ring in there that when the axle starts to turn it turns the hub and engages the splines I beleive that on all these type you must drive in reverse a few feet to unlock them .  /emoticons/[email protected] 2x" width="20" height="20" />

20530[/snapback]

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Yea now that you mention it i've heard of that! sounds like CRAP

 

[Broncoholics]

Stay away from auto hubs I broke my F350 auto hubs the first time on a gravel road. Now that sucks! I thought 1 Ton trucks were strong! Now, with the manual Warn's I have had no problems.

 

[ocalabronco]

stick with the manuals

 

[Justshootme84]

If you do a search for the auto-locking hubs, you'll see how they function without an electric switch or vacuum switch. Whenever you shift the transfer case into 4WD, it turns the front axle shafts and that engages the auto hubs. There's usually a delay of about 10 feet of travel before they engage. When you shift the t-case back into 2WD, you do have to back up about 10-ft to dis-engage the auto hubs. While most of the problems with these failing is due to poor lubrication or the grease turning hard, I've had new ones on a brand new truck not work. The design is "CRAP" in my opinion, too.

 

[fordfanatic75]

If you do a search for the auto-locking hubs, you'll see how they function without an electric switch or vacuum switch. Whenever you shift the transfer case into 4WD, it turns the front axle shafts and that engages the auto hubs. There's usually a delay of about 10 feet of travel before they engage. When you shift the t-case back into 2WD, you do have to back up about 10-ft to dis-engage the auto hubs. While most of the problems with these failing is due to poor lubrication or the grease turning hard, I've had new ones on a brand new truck not work. The design is "CRAP" in my opinion, too.

20591[/snapback]

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I agree, blade had me at (teflon ring) that pretty much made my decision for me. oh well guess i'll have to spend that 30 sec getting out and lockn em, shucks! (

 

[Justshootme84]

Look at it this way. Either spend 30 seconds to walk around and lock both hubs in MANUALLY, or spend 30 minutes, running 2 miles, in the rain and lightning, to a shelter because your auto hubs failed when it started raining a frog strangler and you got stuck when your auto hubs wouldn't work. [1987]

I got the great salvage deal on my 88 Bronco because the driver's-side auto hub went out and the dude just left it on the side of the road. How miffed do you have to get to abandon a vehicle???

 

[Broncoholics]

The downfall is getting stuck in deep mud laying across you hood while a "good friend" holds for feet while you reach down to turn the hubs!

 

[fordfanatic75]

The downfall is getting stuck in deep mud laying across you hood while a "good friend" holds for feet while you reach down to turn the hubs!

20632[/snapback]

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now who would do such a thing? sertainly not me, i've never went bashing into a muddwhole thinking oh it's not that deep. right? only to find it leaking in my door bofore i could even climb out the window to lock the hubs! no not me! :-"

 

[Justshootme84]

And that is why you stop, get out, lock the manuals into 4WD, or at least shift the t-cse into 4HI to engage the auto hubs several feet before you encounter the mudhole. :-"

 

[BK85]

Along the same line, I just looked at a 96 for sale that has auto hubs that don't work. I have an 85 with manuals on it now. Can I swap the two?? (the manuals from the 85 to the 96)

B85

 

[BLADE262US]

Yes you can but you may have to change the spindle retaining nuts as well . /emoticons/[email protected] 2x" width="20" height="20" />