where to get tools

[JGAMBLE]

ok, just orders the warn manual hub conversion kit. Was wondering where to get the 2 3/8 socket and 4 prong tool to do the conversion. Trying not to give ford big bucks for the tool if I can get it somewhere else. Thanks guys

 

[Doug]

any decent auto parts store would have them. advanced auto, napa, etc

 

[Heath]

Sears...

 

[Xplodor]

From age 15 to 19 I went through 3 sets of tools. Things would break all the time. Then I finally forked out the money and went to Sears and bougth Craftsman. Thank God, but not only had nothing broke in the past 5 years, if it does I know they will stand behind it. Well worth the investment.

 

[JGAMBLE]

well I have about $6000 worth of snap on in my box. I've just never seen that four prong tool anywhere before. Gonna look up tools in the yellow pages tonite and see what I find

 

[dgibson]

I got the 2 3/8 tool from Napa. It was @$28. I got the 4 prong tool at Advance Auto. The inner ring for the manual hub doesn't go into the 4 prong well, but the outer one (the one you really have to crank on) fits like a bug in a rug.

 

[JGAMBLE]

cool, thanks man, I know ford woulda wanted mucho dinero for it, cause it's built "ford tough" which is why I'm working on this one now

 

[SteveVB]

Try a punch

The four prong tool is like 15 bucks at Advance, PepBoys etc.

If you are changing over to manuals, you might just want to use a punch and hammer to take the auto hub nut off. I used a punch on one of the flats and hit it until I could turn it by hand. It shouldnt be on very tight- just make sure you take the key out first.

 

[dgibson]

Re: Try a punch

Originally posted by SteveVB
- just make sure you take the key out first.

Whoever worked on my x before I bought it forgot or didn't know about the key. A section about an inch long on one side was missing half the threads. Whoever took it off just muscled it I geuss.

 

[Brian1]

I got mine at pep boys. Also www.4wpw.com sells them. I borrowed a socket for the auto hub nut from a mechanic friend but like was said before just use a hammer and chisel to loosen the nut off.

 

[mattadams]

actually, I'm not sure Sears carries that particular part as I believe I've looked before. I've got a spare one now, but at the time I looked all over, finally found one at Checker... or Autozone, one of the two.

 

[JGAMBLE]

Ok, found the tools at a local tool store down the street. One last question, everything I've seen says that the 2 3/8 nut can be taken off with a hammer and chisel or channel locks. Is this true??? If so I don't need to spend $20 on the 2 3/8 socket, just the 4 prong deal. I mean I'm only gonna use it once, once it's out I'm throwing the auto stuff away. Thanks for the help guys, just hope I don't get frost bit doin this.

 

[jimbo74]

hup... i used a screwdriver and a hammer... i notched a corner of it with the dremel tool, then used the hammer in the notch and whacked it several times... the nut just came off after that..... i got my socket at NAPA... when i looked for them, NOBODY carried them... now, it seems i see them everywhere

 

[Xplodor]

What's the advantage of manual hubs?

 

[JGAMBLE]

well the big advantage for me is cost. They wanted $620 in parts to fix my auto hubs, I ordered the warn kit for a little over $200. Plus they come with a lifetime warranty. Personally I've always like the manual hubs better anyway. push button just don't cut it for any serious 4x4ing.

 

[SteveVB]

push button just don't cut it for any serious 4x4ing.

JGAMBLE, Manual hubs arent going to get rid of the push button- you still need to push the button, AND turn the hubs to have 4 wheel drive.
If you want to get rid of the push-button, you ned to get a manually shifted transfer case.

The reasons are strength, and cost. The manuals are stronger, and they cost lees than replacing the auto hubs.

Good Luck

 

[JGAMBLE]

I'm aware of that steve. Only now I'll only be engaging the transfer case with the 4x4 button. I stated above that the warn's come with a lifetime warranty and are stronger. 4x4ing parts are new to me but I've built more hotrods than I can count so I know a little bit about mechanics. Not to mention I'm an aircraft mechanic. Just poking around for info, trying to do this job on the cheap, being called up for active duty, cash is kinda short.

 

[mattadams]

hey jgamble, when I first had automatic hubs on my explorer, I blew them out the first time I took them off-road, replaced them with warns. Did some serious four-wheeling and rock-crawling as well as just winter driving and never busted a hub!

 

[JGAMBLE]

now that's what I wanna hear. I'm suprised they haven't went before now. I've taken that thing on some tank trails and hills where you couldn't get your hand between the body and the ground. After 3 yrs. of abuse, I figure this is a small expense. One more yr. til she's paid off, then we get real serious with her(V8, lift, etc)