Purchased a 96 f150 XL 4x4 recently. It is my first foray into 4 wheel drive. Could some one explain or tell me where to look on what the difference is between automatic and manual hubs. I have automatic.

 

Automatic hubs can be turned on electronically were manual you have to get out of the trucks and twist the hubs.

 

But what is the difference to me if they are turned on or not? Also my caps over the hubs say automatic, but I don't see any switch inside. I have a floor shifter to get into 4wd, but nothing else. I don't have a owners manual. Do you know where the switch would be?

 

It should engage when you put it into 4WD.

 

They are probably vacuum operated hubs. JUNK!! Put a set of warn manual hubs on it. This allows you to do 2 things. One is KNOW the hubs are locked in and 2 if you want 2 low leave the hubs unlocked and put the switch or shift lever in 4 low.

 

I agree with NGM a set of manual hubs is the way to go, you never know if they are are locked or not with the vacuums or electric for that fact. When I had a 4X4 I always ran manual hubs. Just be sure if you do a lot of mudding open them every so often and clean them and add some gease so they turn easy.