auto. and manual hub question

[4x4rob]

I currently have manual hubs on my '91 XLT. I am curious how the automatic hubs operate.
What makes them do their thing?
what is the difference in the auto and manual hubs (spare me the obvious remarks)?
Can auto hubs be used in an emergency if I break a manual hub on the trail? what does it take to convert from auto to manual and manual to automatic?

thanks.

 

[Jason94sport]

Search for the write up on rebuilding the auto hubs. That thread has all that info including a great picture of how they work.

The spindle nuts are different. In order to change back & forth you would need to keep a set of the correct spindle nuts & convert them when you switched each time.