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I have a 97 f250HD 4x4 and I have the Ttb axle. I have never owned a truck with lockouts but I can say I hate them they work good but I hate getting outta the truck to lock and unlock them. What are my options? Are there any non troublesome auto hubs? I have been into the front end and underdtand how everything goes together and comes apart but will I need a new spindle nut or any other things to make this swap happen

 

[Dr.Evil]

You'll be sorry if/when you switch to the auto-lockers.

When you "THINK" You may need 4WD, lock your manual hubs in and go! If you need 4WD shift the T-case from 2H to 4H anytime the rear wheels are NOT slipping, meaning frt wheels & rear wheels turning the same speed.

When you don't need 4WD shift back to 2H. If you know you won't need 4WD for a long time unlock the hubs.

I've run down Interstates 70-75 MPH with my frt hubs locked in.

To my knowledge there are NO trouble-free auto-lockers frt hubs. Some people may claim their auto-hubs are trouble-free but they just haven't had problems with the "YET".

 

[GA Farmer]

I used to sell Warn hubs and BTW most Ford trucks use them as factory equipment. I agree with Dr. Evil. You will not know when the auto hubs are unlocked. I know that locking and unlocking the manuels are a pita but lock them when you leave the pavement and unlock them when you get back to it. Then you will "shift on the fly" and you wont have any trouble. Take a rag if you get into much mud.

 

[Patrick Feeley]

I'm also in the manual hub camp. If I know we may be in for nasty weather, I go lock the hubs and leave them locked. If I get into slushy snow, etc I just "shift on the fly" from 2H to 4H. The original autohubs on my truck did have issues, hence the manuals on it now. Cheers!

 

[Jason(OH)]

I'm on the manual hub bandwagon as well. You will be sorry (eventually) if you put auto hubs on. My 96 f250 Powerstroke had factory auto locking hubs. The one on the passenger side "blew out" and the acuator was floating back and forth in the hub. I would turn a corner and either hear a loud "clunk" followed by the loud hum of the tranfer case, or the steering wheel would "saw" back and forth as I straightened the front wheels. Replaced them with a set of Warn manual hubs from NAPA and haven't had a problem since. If I think roads are going to be slippery, I lock them in before I leave.

 

[tbeck]

The auto-hubs didn't hold up well for us. Made it part way thru 1st winter, tore up the originals and 1 set of replacements. Problem was getting stuck in snow and rocking back-n-forth to get loose. Each change of direction cycled the hubs from lock-unlock-lock, and with the weight and power up front it didn't end well. One thing to remember with manual hubs- as you are on your knee in the mud looking down the trail its a last chance to really decide if you need to go that way for sure....! And I usually do anyway!

 

[MightyWhitey]

So when you go to use your 4wd with the new auto setup and it dont work, will you still have this same desire? I doubt it. Listen to the kind folks on here and stick with your manuals. I actually took one of my rigs and converted from auto to manual. Deep in on an old skidder road deer hunting the 4wd was working fine going in. Coming out I realized as I was trying to go up a mild incline, I wasnt going anywhere but sideways and almost off the mountain. 4x4 quit working out of the blue. It was not a warm and fuzzy feeling at all as I was in deep and dark thirty approaching.

Good Luck with your decision...

 

[mjonesjr]

I will trade you my auto hubs for your manual hubs.