4wd pops

[davidholbrooks]

rebuilt my shift motor recently(93 exp stock). (used the info in the sticky thread, found a bushing in MANY pieces.) i engaged the 4wd for the first time under load yesterday to back a trailer up a hill and had a lot of popping from the front right (i believe). what should i look for, or did i maybe not mark that gear good enough? any help appreciated.

 

[red.EDDIE.4x4]

if its from the front then its more then likely an auto hub. now i would see a great time to convert to a less complicated manual hub.
and if you rebuilt the shifter motor then its good to go. no worries there.

 

[davidholbrooks]

is there a kit to switch to manual hubs?

 

[red.EDDIE.4x4]

yes there is. this thread should provide alot of help and info on the topic.
2 brands that make manual hubs are mile maker and warn. warn products are really high quality, while mile makers are not so much... your better off spending a little extra coin on the warn hubs the first time rather then MM hubs multiple times.
read up and hope this helps. Click Me

Edit. basically all you will need is the hub conversion kit, which includes 4 spindle nuts and 2 washers with a built in keys per side. and you will also need the actual manual hubs.

 

[Tony H]

is there a kit to switch to manual hubs?

Very simple process. Nothing to be scared of. If you did the Shifter motor, this is a cake walk.
You are basically swapping out the Spindle nuts then sliding on the Manual hub that looks like the Auto hub with a turn lever in the center.

You wont regret doing it even if you only use the 4WD occasionally.
You need to first look at the 'U' joints on the front axle, if they froze, it would pop in 4WD. no popping in 2WD.

 

[Colin2722]

I just replaced mine with manuals after the shift motor didnt work for 13 years. went with the warn kit and hubs. no problems so far

 

[bats]

No regrets on swapping the auto hubs for manuals. They took about an hour or so to install, easy peasy. Manuals are better that autos because you know you're locked as soon as you engage the 4WD. With autos they have to slip for ~20 feet before they engage.