Automatic VS manual hubs!

[rbh]

Just throwing this out for debate if your vehicle is 4x4 do you prefer manual or automatic hubs??
I prefer manual hubs, better mileage, less wear on the front end and transfer case (front drive shaft assembly/bearings)

 

[dingbat]

Re: Automatic VS manual hubs!

Had manaul on my first truck, made sure I got auto the next time around. If the conditions warrent the use of 4WD, I certainly don't want to get out and lock and unlock the hubs in the stuff.

 

[JB]

Re: Automatic VS manual hubs!

I got my first full time AWD vehicle (Jeep Grand Wagoneer with Quadratrack) in 1976. One of the best tow vehicles I ever had (if you can forgive 10mpg).

Since 1999, Mercedes Benz ML320, AWD with traction control, I have been fixed on AWD with traction control. Had 3 MLs. Very expensive to maintain but good mileage (18-21 on premium)

Got a new Subie Forester in 2009. (Symmetrical AWD with traction control). Great mpg but lacking in zoom and noisy.

Currently have a 2006 Toyota Highlander Hybrid AWD. Mucho zoom on demand, 28mpg. Smooth and relatively quiet. Love it.

But I digress. Had a Ranger in the 90s with manual hubs. Hated that. You need to get out and set the hubs in the absolutely worst weather and terrain imaginable. End up wet, cold and muddy to my knees.

My vote is AWD, or at least automatic hubs.

 

[nlain]

Re: Automatic VS manual hubs!

My first 4X4 had automatic with a manual lock. Worked great until going up a mountain and hit ice, auto feature had no traction resistance to make it work, had to get out and manually lock hubs. Now have full automatic, just shift transfer case to 4W and go.

 

[rbh]

Re: Automatic VS manual hubs!

During my trip up north last week, I kept my hubs locked in so I could have 4x4 on demand, I kept it in 2 high for most of the trip, but when I hit that lousy 5 hour streach of road it was nice to be able to pull back the transfer case shifter into 4 high on the fly.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Automatic VS manual hubs!

I disagree, but it's all a function of your use.
My 1981 landcruiser had manual hubs; my Tahoe has automatic hubs (not AWD). I also had 2 Subaru wagons that were front wheel drive, auto shift into 4WD.

I mostly used the landcruiser for daily/around town or trailering. I was never surprised by the need to use 4WD. If the weather looked crappy, I locked the hubs before I left home/office, but stayed in 2WD until I needed it. If I was going to go off road, I locked the hubs before I got off the hard surface. Once a month I locked them to keep the juices flowing. No problem; just took a little planning.

Trucks/jeeps at the hunt clubs stay in 4WD so they are always locked anyway.

 

[dingbat]

Re: Automatic VS manual hubs!

During my trip up north last week, I kept my hubs locked in so I could have 4x4 on demand, I kept it in 2 high for most of the trip, but when I hit that lousy 5 hour streach of road it was nice to be able to pull back the transfer case shifter into 4 high on the fly.

.......and you negated your less wear and better gas mileage argument in the process.

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: Automatic VS manual hubs!

It's just the opposite anyhow.... the auto hubs will not use more fuel or wear components any worse than manual and since the manual generally get left locked in bad weather they actually CAN do what you claimed the autos did

 

[Bondo]

Re: Automatic VS manual hubs!

Just throwing this out for debate if your vehicle is 4x4 do you prefer manual or automatic hubs??
I prefer manual hubs, better mileage, less wear on the front end and transfer case (front drive shaft assembly/bearings)

Ayuh,.... I think yer confused about just what automatic hubs are....

My truck has automatic hubs,...
Slip the range shifter into 4x4, 'n the hubs engage...
When I shift outa 4x4, I back up 10', 'n the hubs disengage....
Nothing in the front driveline turns after that...
It has NOTHIN' to do with wear on the front driveline...

With AWD, the front end is always engaged...

 

[ufm82]

Re: Automatic VS manual hubs!

Bondo beat me to it. Auto's only engage when torque is applied via the axle. That only turns when the driveshaft turns when you engage the 4WD. At least that's the way Fords worked. The rest of the time nothing turned. It just saved you the hassle of getting out and doing it yourself.
I had Warn manuals on my CJ5 and the biggest reason I liked them was that there was no plastic in them. All metal and extremely durable. Plus I knew they worked when I engaged them. A lot of auto hubs would crud up and stick and not engage. Had quite a few people come in who had issues with one or both hubs not engaging. It didn't help to have just one not hook up as you would get no traction from the front tires unless you had a locker front dif.
I see trucks on the road with permanent hubs I guess as I see the driveline turning all the time. Seems like a waste. Maybe their autos are stuck in.

 

[superbenk]

Re: Automatic VS manual hubs!

I miss my auto-locking hubs I had on my Frontier. My Titan's hubs are always locked so everything moves all the time. Seems like a waste of energy and wear to me. It is nice having a bit more flexibility in being able to engage it without as much hassle, but not enough to warrant all the constantly moving parts.

That being said, I think I'd prefer auto-locking hubs over manual-locking hubs any day.

 

[wagnerz]

Re: Automatic VS manual hubs!

I am not too knowledgable in this area. I have automatic hubs. My father has manual hubs on his truck. Does the manual hubs add anything as far as traction or when its locked it is it better then automatic hubs, or is it exactly the same? Hopefully what I am saying makes sense. What I mean is besides wear/tear and inconveniance of getting out, is there a power difference, or traction difference, etc.?

 

[tomdinwv]

Re: Automatic VS manual hubs!

I had an 85 Ford F250 with manual hubs. Had 2 4WD S10's(auto of course), 04 Dakota, 08 Ram, and a 2011 Nitro all with autos. I do like the fact that I don't have to get out and lock in the hubs. I have never had a problem with the drivetrains in any of these trucks/SUVs. Well, I had to put a couple of u-joints in the Dakota but that was it. It all depends on what each individual prefers I guess.

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: Automatic VS manual hubs!

I am not too knowledgable in this area. I have automatic hubs. My father has manual hubs on his truck. Does the manual hubs add anything as far as traction or when its locked it is it better then automatic hubs, or is it exactly the same? Hopefully what I am saying makes sense. What I mean is besides wear/tear and inconveniance of getting out, is there a power difference, or traction difference, etc.?

no difference

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: Automatic VS manual hubs!

I had an 85 Ford F250 with manual hubs. Had 2 4WD S10's(auto of course), 04 Dakota, 08 Ram, and a 2011 Nitro all with autos. I do like the fact that I don't have to get out and lock in the hubs. I have never had a problem with the drivetrains in any of these trucks/SUVs. Well, I had to put a couple of u-joints in the Dakota but that was it. It all depends on what each individual prefers I guess.

s-10's don't have locking hubs auto or otherwise... I don't think any of your other auto examples do either

 

[rbh]

Re: Automatic VS manual hubs!

Manual hubs = you have to get out and engage them before you can put the transfer case in.

Auto hubs = are alway in you just need to engage the transfer case.

My trucks have manual hubs, so I can disengage the front ends/diffs with unlocking the hubs.

The wifes ranger were always in with the automatic hubs, how could I tell???

Every time I cranked the wheels to the far right or far left you could feel the U-joints buck, I do not have that issue with the manual hubs!

Anyone else with automatic hubs have the same issue when turning the steering wheel??

 

[Bondo]

Re: Automatic VS manual hubs!

Manual hubs = you have to get out and engage them before you can put the transfer case in.

Auto hubs = are alway in you just need to engage the transfer case.

My trucks have manual hubs, so I can disengage the front ends/diffs with unlocking the hubs.

The wifes ranger were always in with the automatic hubs, how could I tell???

Every time I cranked the wheels to the far right or far left you could feel the U-joints buck, I do not have that issue with the manual hubs!

Anyone else with automatic hubs have the same issue when turning the steering wheel??

Ayuh,... What yer explainin',... Ain't Auto-hubs....
It's a full-time engaged hub with a floating axle shaft...

Auto-hubs release, they work sorta with a racketing action...
When the driveshaft is driven, they Lock,...
Once Locked, they'll work in reverse...
If reversed by wheel turns, rather than torque from the driveshaft, they Unlock, Completely.....
Nothin' turns....




well,... just the Wheel turns...

 

[mommicked]

Re: Automatic VS manual hubs!

Don't know much about the newer 4wd systems, But in the past, 80's, lots of friends had problems w 4wd trucks w auto hubs, and them not working at the worst times. Usually they were electrical or vacuum actuator issues. I prefer the simplicity of manual ones , if well maintained, they always work. I've also climbed out in knee deep mudholes to engage them when i was overconfident in my trucks ability a few times:facepalm:

 

[roscoe]

Re: Automatic VS manual hubs!

Manual hubs = you have to get out and engage them before you can put the transfer case in.

Auto hubs = are alway in you just need to engage the transfer case.

My trucks have manual hubs, so I can disengage the front ends/diffs with unlocking the hubs.

The wifes ranger were always in with the automatic hubs, how could I tell???

Every time I cranked the wheels to the far right or far left you could feel the U-joints buck, I do not have that issue with the manual hubs!

Anyone else with automatic hubs have the same issue when turning the steering wheel??

Thats a FORD thing. InstaTrak ?? Auto 4 wheel drive. Have that on my Explorer. Same problem.

Never experienced it on my s-15, s-Blazer, Trailblazer, or Sierra.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Automatic VS manual hubs!

Thats a FORD thing. InstaTrak ?? Auto 4 wheel drive. Have that on my Explorer. Same problem.

Never experienced it on my s-15, s-Blazer, Trailblazer, or Sierra.

Ayuh,... It must be a Little Ford thing,...

My F-250 has Automatic hubs...