Locking hubs
01-22-2016, 09:30 AM
#1
Locking hubs
Does anyone use the warn premium locking front hubs on a 1992-96 f150. Trying to decide if they are worth doing. My auto hubs still work fine just curious if it would help my fuel economy and less wear and tare on my front axle.
ARE THEY WORTH IT.?
ARE THEY WORTH IT.?
01-22-2016, 10:37 AM
#2
No fuel or wear and tear advantage - auto hubs don't lock in till you engage 4x4.
Anyone heading off into the bush definitely want manual hubs because locked is locked and unlocked is unlocked - no nonsense.
Auto hub locks have a history of messing up, not unlocking properly and I would never trust an auto hub to pull me up a mountain trail where 2wd means sliding backwards.
All that said, if they work fine and you're just using your truck to run back and forth to work and hardly ever use 4x4 anyway, I'd just leave them alone.
Whenever one finally messes up, swap them over then.
Anyone heading off into the bush definitely want manual hubs because locked is locked and unlocked is unlocked - no nonsense.
Auto hub locks have a history of messing up, not unlocking properly and I would never trust an auto hub to pull me up a mountain trail where 2wd means sliding backwards.
All that said, if they work fine and you're just using your truck to run back and forth to work and hardly ever use 4x4 anyway, I'd just leave them alone.
Whenever one finally messes up, swap them over then.
01-22-2016, 10:45 AM
#3
Do you use them on your truck?
QUOTE=Chris_1;4522796]No fuel or wear and tear advantage - auto hubs don't lock in till you engage 4x4.
Anyone heading off into the bush definitely want manual hubs because locked is locked and unlocked is unlocked - no nonsense.
Auto hub locks have a history of messing up, not unlocking properly and I would never trust an auto hub to pull me up a mountain trail where 2wd means sliding backwards.
All that said, if they work fine and you're just using your truck to run back and forth to work and hardly ever use 4x4 anyway, I'd just leave them alone.
Whenever one finally messes up, swap them over then.[/QUOTE]
QUOTE=Chris_1;4522796]No fuel or wear and tear advantage - auto hubs don't lock in till you engage 4x4.
Anyone heading off into the bush definitely want manual hubs because locked is locked and unlocked is unlocked - no nonsense.
Auto hub locks have a history of messing up, not unlocking properly and I would never trust an auto hub to pull me up a mountain trail where 2wd means sliding backwards.
All that said, if they work fine and you're just using your truck to run back and forth to work and hardly ever use 4x4 anyway, I'd just leave them alone.
Whenever one finally messes up, swap them over then.[/QUOTE]
01-22-2016, 11:48 AM
#4
My current truck is 2wd, so no. But every 4x4 I've ever had has had them. They work good, they don't screw up and locked is locked, unlocked is unlocked, no question.
Are they worth the money ? Definitely. - If you use your truck to take you places 2wd won't go, they're the only way to go.
If your 4x4 is just a grocery-getter then you don't really need them.
If it's about looking good, anybody who's serious about 4x4 - the first thing they're going to look at is your hubs. Automatics - ok. Manuals - this is a serious 4x4 truck. They look good because of what they stand for, if that makes sense.
Are they worth the money ? Definitely. - If you use your truck to take you places 2wd won't go, they're the only way to go.
If your 4x4 is just a grocery-getter then you don't really need them.
If it's about looking good, anybody who's serious about 4x4 - the first thing they're going to look at is your hubs. Automatics - ok. Manuals - this is a serious 4x4 truck. They look good because of what they stand for, if that makes sense.
01-22-2016, 11:50 AM
#5
Thats all the information i needed. Looks like im buting manual locking hubs tonight. Tks for the information.
My current truck is 2wd, so no. But every 4x4 I've ever had has had them. They work good, they don't screw up and locked is locked, unlocked is unlocked, no question.
Are they worth the money ? Definitely. - If you use your truck to take you places 2wd won't go, they're the only way to go.
If your 4x4 is just a grocery-getter then you don't really need them.
If it's about looking good, anybody who's serious about 4x4 - the first thing they're going to look at is your hubs. Automatics - ok. Manuals - this is a serious 4x4 truck. They look good because of what they stand for, if that makes sense.
Are they worth the money ? Definitely. - If you use your truck to take you places 2wd won't go, they're the only way to go.
If your 4x4 is just a grocery-getter then you don't really need them.
If it's about looking good, anybody who's serious about 4x4 - the first thing they're going to look at is your hubs. Automatics - ok. Manuals - this is a serious 4x4 truck. They look good because of what they stand for, if that makes sense.
02-19-2016, 05:47 PM
#6
I had the auto hubs and had them on one day when it was raining hard, made odd noises then in winter when snowing it would pop out of 4 wheel drive or not engage. I went with the premium warn manual hubs and have worked great.
02-19-2016, 08:58 PM
#7
Manual hubs work great, but are more involved in using the 4x4. I have them on my truck, was in 2wd the other day got into some deep snow started spinning had to get out lock the hub's get back in put in neutral shift into 4x4 to go like 50 feet. Got back on the road that was clean had to do it all in reverse to get back to 2wd lol.
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02-20-2016, 01:42 AM
#10
Senior Member
You can drive down the highway with the hubs locked in as long as the 4 wheel drive is not engaged. It just causes a little wear on the front differential parts and front driveshaft. I don't like to go long distances that way because of the extra wear but it's not that big a deal.