What is the purpose of manual locking hubs?

[chrisnwmsu]

OK, I dont claim to know everything. What are the main benifits of manual locking hubs?

Wear and tear?
Mileage?
What?

Will the hubs truly lock the front hubs? I was screwing around in the snow and got suck, one of the front tires was in a 4 ft snow drift. the other was on ice. The one on ice was spinning the other was not. Will manual hubs help?

[chicklin]

The purpose of manual (or auto-locking) hubs is to positively lock or unlock the hubs from the axle.

In 2WD:
When unlocked, only the wheels are spinning when driving down the road, not the entire front axle, differential and driveshaft. When locked, the entire assembly is spinning which creates wear and reduces mileage due to resistance.

In 4WD:
When unlocked, the entire front assembly would spin but not drive the wheels with it. When locked, it turns the wheels, as well. There is not much point in having the hubs unlocked in 4WD unless you want to run in low range in 2WD.

Locking hubs will not help in the situation you describe. The reason you have one tire spinning is because you have an open differential up front. An open differential allows one tire to spin and not the other. To lock the two wheels together, you need a differential locker which will lock both wheels to spin together.

[brute4c]

^^Very good info^^

Only thing I will add is that...on these trucks with the closed knuckle front and lockout hubs, the top kingpin bearing does not get lubed when the hubs are unlocked.

It is therefore VERY advisable to lock the hubs in every so often to let lube get up to the upper kingpin bearing.

Thanks to Barrman for pointing that out a while back!

[chrisnwmsu]

So there is not a hude advantage to adding locking hubs if I dont have them. Is that what I am reading

thanks

[kwai]

With manual locking hubs, unlocked you will have less drag from the front-end which will result in an increase in mileage and overall performance. With the hubs locked there is not difference from stock.

[brute4c]

There is a BIG advantage:

Stock, in 2wd, the wheel, tire, wheel bearings, hub, drum, axle shaft, spider gears, ring gear, pinion gear, front driveshaft, and the first gear in the transfer case ALL TURN...not because they are being driven by the transfer case but because the tire is turning from driving and they are all connected.

Add the hubs and put them in free wheeling mode. The plate at the end of the axle is removed...it has a well with splines in it. The splines fit the end of the axle. This plates bolted to the hub. When aftermarket hubs go on, there is a splined piece in them that fits on the axle and this selectable hub is bolted to the wheel hub...BUT...in this selectable hub is a cam and a big spring that, when the knob on the outside is turned, causes the splined piece to move away from the axle. So then the axle shaft is NOT connected to the wheel hub and just because the wheel hub turns, the axle doesnt have to...or any components farther back to the transfer case as well.

Now, in 2wd, the wheel, tire, wheel bearings, hub, and drum turn...
BUT the axle shaft, spider gears, ring gear, pinion gear, front driveshaft, and the first gear in the transfer case do NOT turn.


This really reduces the amount of gas pedal one need to drive at the same speed...it is REALLY like driving with the emergency brake on or with a BIG weight hooked to the pintle hitch...and then turning off the brake or cutting the load loose.
MPG definitely increases...mine did about 3 mpg...power definitely increases...acceleration will surprise you even with the 230!!

Not to menton the reduced wear and tear on a pair of ujoints, the front axle and differential...

This is a GOOD swap...worth the money.

[DAVEJ]

Another option is to machine the splines out of a set of flanges so the axle doesn't engage. When 4 wheel drive is needed ,bolt the splined flanges on.


DJ

[randyscycle]

Another reason for manual hubs is if you add a locker to the front differential. Without being able to disengage the hubs, steering would be very difficult with a locked front differential.

[chrisnwmsu]

So, if I buy the selectro locking hubs do I just unbolt the existing stock hub cover and bolt the new aftermarket hubs on? Is it that easy?

[brute4c]

Yep. Well a light coat of grease in the Selectros...DO NOT pack them with grease!!

The hardest part of the job for me was getting the stock ones off...hitting in the center of it HARD wih a hammer helps...if you have to use a chisel or the like on the parting line, just be careful...if you score up the surface, they wont go back on and seal nice.

It is a good idea to cary the stock driving flanges in the glove box in case you blow a Selectro off road...it can be done...not real easy but possible over time...so then you can bolt the stockers back on and drive out if need be.