Locking Hubs

[Lamah]

un question, por favor. If someone has a second to check out http://www.4wheelparts.com and on the menu at the left, click locking hubs. Then click the bottom link (under the winch) and select "Ford Standard Locking Hubs." When i turn on 4wheel drive i hear a clicking sound from the front right tire. I've been told it is the Manual Hub conversion and i'm wondering if this is the right part. Please let me know.


Thanks a ton,

Jeff A.K.A. Lamah

 

[Ray Lobato]

Hi Jeff,
Those are the correct part numbers.
Warn Hubs p/n 29071
Conversion kit p/n 27997

There is a very good write up on how to replace autos with manuals in the Explorer Tips, on the front page. Here's a
link http://www.explorer4x4.com/tips2.html#hub

 

[Lamah]

about the conversion...

thanks, but what does the conversion kit do ? change it from push button 4wd to a manual 4wd ?

 

[Brian1]

Conversion kit

The conversion kit changes the nuts on the axle spindle. Because the enguaging(sp?) process is different than the autos is why you need the conversion kit. You will still have to push a button but you will have to manually get out and turn the hubs.

 

[Lamah]

then whats the point ? heh

doesnt sound like an advantage, having to get out and do it by hand. For the amout of offroading i plan to do, its not worth the trouble, i'll just get the factory type one. =/


thanks,
Jeff A.K.A. Lamah

[Edited by Lamah on 11-03-2000 at 09:30 PM]

 

[Brian1]

But it is alot CHEAPER and better then the autos. Even if you plan to do any offroading I would get the manuals now instead of later when the autos break.

 

[Lamah]

=/ i dont want to have to hop out and turn the hubs when i'm stuck in a snow bank, i'd rather pay extra later, since i'd have to replace both and that would be close to 300, when i can get the one fixed for 150

 

[Ray Lobato]

The other thing you have to realize is that any time you reverse your direction, your auto hubs will disengage and re-engage. At an inoppertune time this could cause a problem. The manuals are much stronger, also you are supposed to engage the hubs before you get into a jam. When your going to the ski resorts or where ever you are going in the snow, you can engage the hubs early, but as long as the 4wd button is not engaged, you won't hurt anything. You will just have a little more drag because the axles are turning, that way if you then think you need to go into 4wd, then you can just push the button and you now have 4wd.

 

[GJarrett]

Originally posted by Lamah
=/ i dont want to have to hop out and turn the hubs when i'm stuck in a snow bank, i'd rather pay extra later

Okay, think about that. You can get manual hubs that WILL NOT BREAK (disclaimer: under nonextreme 4+ trail application) but will require you to hop out and turn the hub, or you can keep replacing the MUCH-more-expen$ive auto hubs that WILL BREAK and leave you "stuck in a snowbank" per your own words. The fact that you have to pay extra later means you had to replace those autohubs which means they FAILED on you and left you STRANDED - usually, per Murphy, at the worst possible moment.

If you have an accountant mind like me, sometimes it helps to consisely clarify a situation in order to help visualize a decision:
Autohubs = weak & expensive = spend night in vehicle in blizzard.
Manual hubs = strong & cheap = get home.

Ask anyone on this board with any experience with those hubs, and you will hear dozens of stories about how the autohubs failed in simple beach sand and nonstressful applications. They are weak, and will fail when you need them the most.

I'd rather have to hop out of my vehicle for a few seconds to engage a much less expensive (but much stronger!) hub than spend the night in a stranded vehicle in a freezing blizzard for the privilege of maintaining the very same much more expensive autohub system that left me stranded where the cheaper one would have not failed on me in the first place.

This board now has over 3,500 members, many of whom have extensive (and expensive) experience in this area. I can confidently say that none of them will join this discussion to suggest that you keep the autohubs. I would suggest that would be a fairly strong hint to get the manuals.

[Edited by GJarrett on 11-03-2000 at 10:55 PM]

 

[Lamah]

i dont doubt the manual hubs are a hell of a lot better, the point is i cant afford the 300 to switch both sides. I can barely afford the 150 to replace the one side. In the future i will get manuals, but for now, its not in my budget, i dont have a job at the moment

anyways, thanks for the information

Jeff A.K.A. Lamah


btw: Ray just a few quick questions, would it do any type of damage if you left the hubs locked most of the time ? like if i were to leave them locked all winter ? and also, how much would that effect gas millage? gas milage and cost are my main concerns at this point =/

thanks again.

[Edited by Lamah on 11-04-2000 at 09:21 AM]

 

[Dre]

You got it all wrong!!!

Dude! you got it wrong. The price for manuals should be not more then $180.00 per set, that's for both, right and left hub including conversion kit. Check the price again and please, check around. Check CarParts.com too. There is a neat $50.00 off coupon I just used on my hitch and almost got it for half the price. Use your imagination and shop around. Can't just make statements after checking one place.

My auto hubs went bad after my first serious winter. From that point on I've been on a few trails and had no problem with the manual hubs. Conveniance? who cares? When it snows I hit it in 4 wheel anyway.

Good luck!

 

[Lamah]

hrmm, now if i never came to this board i'd be more retarded then i am

i'll check into it then

also, how does it effect gas milage, both 4wd and with just the hubs locked?

Thanks again,
Jeff A.K.A Lamah

i was looking on http://www.4wheelparts.com and i'm just wondering how i can tell if it is for a pair. I dont want to order it and find out i have to order a second one =/

[Edited by Lamah on 11-04-2000 at 01:09 PM]

 

[KTMpat]

manual hubs

I have had two Isuzu Troopers with auto hubs and loved them.... but this is an Explorer, and I dont like their version (however different I dunno), but the Ford autos suck. I just bought Warn manual hubs (Oct 30) and conversion kit from Partsamerica.com - $158 delivered. They had 25% off thru Oct, now I think its 15% off thru Nov. Also Autozone has MileMarker manual hubs for $112, but still need conversion kit - about $39. Milemarker has a website (www.milemarker.com), and theirs look great too.
Ford wants blood for their auto hubs (I was quoted $300 per side, not set!) #@$^%&! them. Piece of mind with the manual hubs, no more clicking or ratcheting changing direction.

Pat

 

[MyExp]

I also bought my manual hubs and conversion kit from Parts America.com. It was 155 with shipping. I dont do much offroading (yet) but I am going to the mountains this winter I want to have the best stuff I can get.

Also, has anyone ever looked at how the autos work? It does not look like a very good design.

Brian

 

[leebo]

the one from 4wheelparts is for the pair. Trust me when I say....go with the manual...you won't even look back on it. Don't forget....warn also offers a lifetime warranty.

 

[Lamah]

they need to invent a way to install a lever inside the car that turns the hubs when you pull it ..... i'd try to rig somthing up, but i'd be afraid to **** somthing up.


one more question with the manual hubs, if you press the button with out the hubs locked, will it cause any damage ?

Thanks,
Jeff A.K.A Lamah

 

[leebo]

I'm not sure what they are talking about??? I'm guessing they mean the switch but I might be wrong. I wouldn't worry about that one. As for any damage....nope

 

[Lamah]

yeah, i meant the 4x4 switch

 

[leebo]

I see what you're saying....they do. It's called passangers.

 

[beavis195]

On http://www.fordpartsnetwork.com/explorer.htm there is an Upgraded auto hub for the explorer. has anyone used these, and what is different about them than the standard auto lock hubs?
here is the part number: F3TZ 3B396-B 91-94 upgraded Front Auto lock hubs $244.99
Thanks