2018 F-350 Lock-out hubs

[Durango]

FWC has to love me. I just ordered my third FWC in five years- a Flatbed Grandby. Even though we're delighted with our Flatbed Hawk we just wanted a bit more space in back so we're going to go with a regular cab Chassis Cab pickup this time (it is always just Sioux and me) which brings me to my question...

We've been pleased with our 2012 Ram 2500 Crew Cab. It has been very reliable and I've never been stuck. But I want to do my due diligence and look at Ford too. (Chevy doesn't offer a SRW in their Chassis cabs.) Ford and Ram are fairly even in my mind and as Denny Saunders told me, "Steve, they're both good trucks."

But Ford has the manual locking hubs up front while Ram doesn't. Could anyone weigh in if you like or don't like the Ford manual hubs and how and when you use them? I'm a total dummy on them.

Thanks in advance,
Steve

 

[(none)]

Manual locking hubs are great! They aren't common any more because people are lazy. When unlocked and in 2wd, the internals of the front axle and the front driveshaft don't turn, reducing wear and improving fuel economy.

You would need to get out and lock the hubs when engaging 4wd. Lock hubs, then put the transfer case in 4wd or the other way around, doesn't really matter. You can also leave the hubs locked and stay in 2wd or shift back and forth between 2 and 4wd like if you are on slightly snowy roads.

Other benefit in manually locking hubs is the ability to use 2wd Low Range. Just shift to 4Lo without locking the hubs. Nice for tight, low speed movement of a heavy trailer, etc.

 

[deserteagle56]

Love the locking hubs! I'm 70 years old and have been driving trucks with hubs since i can remember. At one time ALL manufacturers put hubs on their pickups (Ford, Dodge, Chevy/GMC, International) and I've owned all the brands. Right now I have a E-350 van converted to 4x4 with manual hubs. AND I have a Dodge dually four wheel drive - the front axle has been converted to use hubs. Several different brands out there - I have Mile Marker hubs on the Dodge.

As the above poster stated, leaving the hubs unlocked and using low range in the transfer case is great for slow speed maneuvering. Otherwise you are having to fight the front axle u joints when the wheels are turned sharply. I use mine that way on the Dodge all the time when backing up with a trailer, especially a heavily loaded trailer. Used this way, with that extra low gearing, makes it much easier on an automatic transmission - and reduces the amount of clutch slipping needed with a manual. Just remember to be gentle with the throttle when in 2wd low range.

My Dad used to lock his hubs in in November and not unlock them until April, but then he lived in snow country. I lock mine in whenever there is even a remote possibility I might need them. You want to lock them in BEFORE you need them - not after you're stuck! Make sure, if you have the option, to get manual locking hubs and not the "automatic" locking hubs available on some models. I hear of way too many problems with the automatic ones.

The only downsides to having manual hubs is that you have to remember to lock them in before you need them. And if its wet/muddy/slushy out there the hubs can be covered with the stuff and you get your fingers dirty. I solved that by making a simple tool out of a PVC tee that I keep in one of my door pockets. Using it, I don't have to touch the hub itself and it provides extra leverage to make turning the hub easier.

If driving conditions warrant it, just lock the hubs and pretend you're driving a stock Dodge!

 

[Betarocker]

The current Ford hub locks are made by Warn and are much better than earlier OEM versions. Warn has finally released some aftermarket Premium locks for the 2005+ trucks.
The Auto hubs are vacuum actuated and the issues typically are with the hoses and the seals, and rarely the hubs themselves. They have a manual override the same as the full manual version. I would have preferred the full manual hubs with a manual tranfercase but my truck was supplied with ESOF and I do like the convenience of twisting a knob, though there is no neutral option.

 

[IdaSHO]

Yeah, Ford has been running the "auto" vacuum hubs for some time. All the way back into the 90's

And as mentioned, the "auto" feature often fails, and it not to be trusted.
It relies on vacuum, and one small leak and they don't work.

Luckily, they work fine by simply engaging them manually.

 

[SteelSaguaro]

Unless I am mistaken, the manual hubs on the Fords do not need to be physically engaged for 4wd to work. They can be engaged electronically from the switch or by turning the hub if for some reason the electronics fail.

 

[IdaSHO]

Correct.

Thats what we've been talking about.

In "auto" mode, they are engaged via the switch/button in the cab.
This relies on vacuum, and works great when everything is 100%, but is prone to failure due to seal and vac tubing leaks.


If that fails, all you have to do is get out and lock them in manually.

 

[Buliwyf]

Some Fords have true manual hubs. They are the ones with a manual transfer case lever as well.

The Fords with an electronic dial for 4x4 have auto hubs with a manual override similar to manual hubs. ESOF. Pull that dial out to engage the rear locker.

The ESOF auto hubs lock when vacuum is applied. Since the drive line isn't spinning, I recommend only engaging 4wd at low speeds. 3mph or so. If you're on the freeway in heavy snow and want to engage and disengage the 4wd at any speed, then you should manually lock the hubs before hand. I'd imagine the auto hubs would grind at high speeds if you wanted to select 4wd at speed (theres a reason why all Fords with auto hubs come off the assembly line with the hubs manually locked, and why every single Ford at your dealers lot have their auto hubs manually locked).

With either setup, at my last fuel stop, or when I exit the freeway, I manually lock the hubs. I'll spend all weekend camping with the hubs locked. I only unlock them for the long trip home. In the winter, I manually lock the hubs for months at a time. When in doubt, manually lock your hubs. The auto feature on the ESOF is handy for someone that rarely needs 4wd, and finds themselfs parked in front of a washed out road. For us, just manually lock the hubs, even the auto hubs.

Either setup is fine, and better than Dodges YJ-like front split axle thing (if they still use that). I wish Dodge would go back to manual hubs like they did in their glory years. Some Dodge owners spend a fortune to get manual hubs on their front axle. It really is nice to have the front axle spinning when you want it to.

The 2015 Ford Superduty and Dodge are comparable, and competitive. But the 2018 Superduty has the Dodge beat pretty bad right now. It'll be pretty obvious once you drive it. Test drive both, if you want to waste time. Just make sure the Ford gets a Spray in bed liner ASAP, it toughens up the bed.

If you don't want to get out of the truck to lock the hubs, get a Ford with the ESOF. If you want to have 2wd low, you can add Warn manual hubs later. With either system, lock the hubs for heavy snow, or planned off road use. Don't rely on the auto feature while stuck in a mud pit. Plus I think the auto system can leak a bit sometimes and allow the hub to unlock.

I've owned Superduties with both setups. I don't really prefer one over the other, but I used to prefer the fully manual hubs and transfer case. They both work fine.

 

[toylandcruiser]

Love the locking hubs! I'm 70 years old and have been driving trucks with hubs since i can remember. At one time ALL manufacturers put hubs on their pickups (Ford, Dodge, Chevy/GMC, International) and I've owned all the brands. Right now I have a E-350 van converted to 4x4 with manual hubs. AND I have a Dodge dually four wheel drive - the front axle has been converted to use hubs. Several different brands out there - I have Mile Marker hubs on the Dodge.

As the above poster stated, leaving the hubs unlocked and using low range in the transfer case is great for slow speed maneuvering. Otherwise you are having to fight the front axle u joints when the wheels are turned sharply. I use mine that way on the Dodge all the time when backing up with a trailer, especially a heavily loaded trailer. Used this way, with that extra low gearing, makes it much easier on an automatic transmission - and reduces the amount of clutch slipping needed with a manual. Just remember to be gentle with the throttle when in 2wd low range.

My Dad used to lock his hubs in in November and not unlock them until April, but then he lived in snow country. I lock mine in whenever there is even a remote possibility I might need them. You want to lock them in BEFORE you need them - not after you're stuck! Make sure, if you have the option, to get manual locking hubs and not the "automatic" locking hubs available on some models. I hear of way too many problems with the automatic ones.

The only downsides to having manual hubs is that you have to remember to lock them in before you need them. And if its wet/muddy/slushy out there the hubs can be covered with the stuff and you get your fingers dirty. I solved that by making a simple tool out of a PVC tee that I keep in one of my door pockets. Using it, I don't have to touch the hub itself and it provides extra leverage to make turning the hub easier.

If driving conditions warrant it, just lock the hubs and pretend you're driving a stock Dodge!

The first 4wds never came with hubs. Hubs came out while later. So in reality they are a new idea

 

[Buliwyf]

Does anyone have a decent list of what modern trucks and SUV's have hubs, no hubs (always spinning everything), and auto hubs?

Ford Superduty- Manual Hubs, ESOF option has auto/manual hubs.
F150- Auto hubs
Dodge 2500- YJ split axle
Dodge 2500 3rd gen- No Hubs
Dodge 2500 1st gen- Manual hubs
Dodge PowerWagon- split axle
GMC 2500-???
GMC Suburban 2500???
Toyota Tacoma ???
Toyota Tundra???
Nissan Titan???
Jeep JK- No hubs
Jeep YJ- split axle
Jeep XJ- split axle
Jeep TJ- No hubs

 

[IdaSHO]

Does anyone have a decent list of what modern trucks and SUV's have hubs, no hubs (always spinning everything), and auto hubs?

Ford Superduty- Manual Hubs, ESOF option has auto/manual hubs.
F150- Auto hubs
Dodge 2500- YJ split axle
Dodge 2500 3rd gen- No Hubs
Dodge 2500 1st gen- Manual hubs
Dodge PowerWagon- split axle
GMC 2500-???
GMC Suburban 2500???
Toyota Tacoma ???
Toyota Tundra???
Nissan Titan???
Jeep JK- No hubs
Jeep YJ- split axle
Jeep XJ- split axle
Jeep TJ- No hubs

I don't think even the new RAM has manual hubs.

Conversion kits out there though, for most makes/models that don't come with manual hubs.

Even for my old TJ. Though the payoff simply isnt there. Free-spin kit is quite expensive.



Pretty sure the only one coming with actual manual locking hubs (with auto feature) is Ford.

 

[deserteagle56]

I don't think even the new RAM has manual hubs.

Conversion kits out there though, for most makes/models that don't come with manual hubs.

Even for my old TJ. Though the payoff simply isnt there. Free-spin kit is quite expensive.



Pretty sure the only one coming with actual manual locking hubs (with auto feature) is Ford.

I pride myself on keeping up with what the industry is up to and as far as I know, all this is correct. Yes, the free-spin kit is very expensive but worth it to me because of the way I use my truck.

 

[deserteagle56]

The first 4wds never came with hubs. Hubs came out while later. So in reality they are a new idea

LOL. Depends on how far back you want to go for this "new" idea. Starting in the early 60s hubs were pretty common. My dad bought a new Ford in 1963 and it had the hubs stock. I can't remember any of the pickups I drove in the mid-60s through the early 80s that didn't have the hubs stock. Some of the units that had "full-time" 4wd starting in the mid-70s came without hubs but it seems they were troublesome and soon there were aftermarket conversions to change the transfer cases to part-time and hubs were part of the conversion. I had a GMC I did that conversion on.

 

[IdaSHO]

The '74 "heavy half ton" Chevy pickup I beat the snot out of in high school was one of GM's "full time" 4x4 rigs.

I added a part-time 4x4 conversion kit to it.


Much more civilized in tight turns in parking lots

Damn thing would bark and hop before that..... :coffeedrink:

 

[IdaSHO]

I pride myself on keeping up with what the industry is up to and as far as I know, all this is correct. Yes, the free-spin kit is very expensive but worth it to me because of the way I use my truck.

If you can justify it, by all means.


For a cheap little TJ, spending $1500 for such a kit, and only netting MAYBE 1-2 MPG improvement as a result?

Not a chance. At least for me.