snafu7x7

Fords have the auto-locking hubs for 4WD right? Was this always so or did they ever have manual locking hubs on the older models?

snafu7x7

Wow.

60 Views and no one can answer such a simple qst on a forum named f150forum.com.

That doesn't bode well

VickMacky

"That doesn't bode well"... What does that even mean?

Anyway, it's a very broad question that has a pretty obvious answer. They used both. I think the XLTs came with auto hubs while the work trucks came with manual hubs. Even today they sometimes come with manuals. So it could have either honestly, the only way to know what you're getting is to look at the truck and see.

Martian

Here is the original question.

Martian

Changed first and second post back to their originals. Moved the thread to a place where it would actually be seen.You know this forum has over 210,000 users, right? Some 10,000 of which are active all the time? 60-100 views is nothing. You need to learn to be patient. This is the largest F150 forum on the internet.

WXman

Manual hubs were standard until the all new 1997 F-150 came out.

Personally, I think Ford has the worst 4x4 hubs in the business. Their "automatic" hubs that were optional up until '97 were absolute garbage and unreliable. And their vacuum system used since then is just as much of a joke. GM and Dodge tried trickery of their own, but quickly realized it's too problematic and so they went to permanently connected shafts in the front end many years ago.

marshallr

The trend away from manual hubs started in the 1970's. Chevy, Dodge, and Jeep made almost all of their trucks with full time 4x4 during this time. It was basically what we refer to as AWD, but with a method to lock the transfer case making it true 4X4 if needed. Ford did offer full time versions, but they were rare and most still had locking hubs until 1997.

Gas prices and shortages in the 1970's put an end to full time 4X4, although in reality there was very little difference in fuel mileage. Most companies went to automatic locking hubs during the 80's or early 90's.

Personally I don't mine manual locking hubs. The Ford Superduty line of trucks used to come with them and may still. I don't keep up with them like I used to. They were automatic, but if for some reason if they fail to lock automatically you can lock them manually.

Joshua gray

So the truck originally came with auto hubs. For the 95, there are 2 options which people typically refer to as a 3 screw or 5 screw. lol. Regardless, replacements are getting pretty pricey and harder and harder to find. After looking around for a bit, I just decided that for the few times I use 4WD, It wouldn't be that big of a deal to go to manually locking hubs. Even with the auto hubs, you had to put the truck in park and give it a few seconds to lock the hubs, so it's not that big of a deal to hop out and turn them manually.

So if the new u joints were put back in out of alignment, what's the worst that could happen? Is it doing damage?

Steve83

You're 4 years late.No, that's not even close to correct. There's a reason it was called "shift on-the-fly".

16IngotFX4

It's just following suit with the other poor information that was given 4 years ago. ha

Sadly, now we've all bumped this thread and we'll continue with sad info and more "no, you are wrong in saying <whatever it is that somebody says>".