Disengaging front wheel drive in lo-range

[JHenry]

I don't understand what people have against these lockout hubs. Once EMS off road gets there kit ready, it will cost about the same to put there kit on as it would be to replace the factory unit bearing.

I believe the issue has been worn out. Some people are lazy and don't want to get ouit of their truck to lock the hubs in, so, as was mentioned, hubs have been eliminated. Years ago trucks were built without these hubs and someone with a brain came up with the lockout hub concept. As 4x4 vehicles became more commonplace on the roads (often in cities where they make no sense anyway), women became more frequent drivers. The industry catered to women and to others who would prefer not to leave the comfort of their cab, and went back to non-lockout hubs. As it has been mentioned many times, these hubs WILL save wear and tear on the front drive system, and WILL save some fuel. Remember, this is a throw-away society, and most drivers will not keep their vehicles to 100k anyway, but for those who do and for those who appreciate a little more "hands on" driving, the hubs are a great addition to the truck.

 

[Cummins Cowboy]

ok first of all, why would I want something that is going to break within the first 125k miles, like the factory locking hubs, why would I want something that will fail without me knowing it, while I am in the middle of nowhere stuck in snow, This is what happened to me because of the so called wonderful manual locking hubs, I would rather replace the whole thing than be stranded. how often are CTD owners having issues with the 4x4 setups on our trucks?? I never see any posts about it, if there are there must be cobwebs on them. I think the current setups we are running are good to 250k by this time, you will likely be on your third set of locking hubs, not to mention stranded in BFE a time or two and getting your hands greasey, feet muddy, and hands cold from the ice. I go coyote hunting in places that may not be another person for 50 miles, I want 4x4, and I want it reliably. I also don't care to repack the thing for maintaince, like I said before I never see any posts on the subject, and besides, i have no desire to drive my truck past 250k or even 150k for that matter. if it aint broke don't fix it

 

[brods]

Don’t know where you are getting your hub life information from. I got a set with well over 150k on one truck and another set that has over 120k on a truck used for plowing snow and rock crawling and both sets still work FINE! If Ford hubs suck so bad, maybe you and your buddies should have upgraded to a set of premium aftermarket hubs. That or perhaps learn how to drive in 4x4?



As far as getting stranded, common sense demands that anyone planning to go off where no help is available must inspect their vehicle prior to leaving, including the 4 wheel drive system. A frozen hub that doesn’t engage is easily found, but heck, thats almost like doing maintenance. . forget about it! These modern vehicles are such a maintenance nightmare aren’t they?? Could I suggest a low maintenance Honda Pilot (oops wrong model, should be Ridgeline) as a more suitable vehicle?



All kidding aside, your take on locking hubs seems a little extreme. Don’t like em, don’t get em. Treated right and maintained, there is nothing wrong with them and they’ll last a good long time. (Well... except for the Ford ones apparently)

 

[MChildress]

It's a one person job with the manuel locking hubs. You don't have to do the backing up trick and have a second person looking under the truck to make sure the auto hubs unlocked. We replaced the auto hubs on the 97 Ford with Warn manuel hubs for about $200. I would prefer them on the Dodge but at $1800 will wait for now.

 

[CHubbard]

EMS Offroad - not customer friendly

I am also interested in adding lock-out hubs to my truck. I have sent two emails to EMS Offroad, neither of which have been responded to. I can only asuume that they are not very focused on customer service. I will order Dyna Trac if I decide to invest.

 

[steved]

ok first of all, why would I want something that is going to break within the first 125k miles, like the factory locking hubs, why would I want something that will fail without me knowing it, while I am in the middle of nowhere stuck in snow, This is what happened to me because of the so called wonderful manual locking hubs, I would rather replace the whole thing than be stranded. how often are CTD owners having issues with the 4x4 setups on our trucks?? I never see any posts about it, if there are there must be cobwebs on them. I think the current setups we are running are good to 250k by this time, you will likely be on your third set of locking hubs, not to mention stranded in BFE a time or two and getting your hands greasey, feet muddy, and hands cold from the ice. I go coyote hunting in places that may not be another person for 50 miles, I want 4x4, and I want it reliably. I also don't care to repack the thing for maintaince, like I said before I never see any posts on the subject, and besides, i have no desire to drive my truck past 250k or even 150k for that matter. if it aint broke don't fix it

Just because your truck came with them doesn't mean they are that good... a trashed unitbearing will leave you stuck just as bad as a hub that won't engage... the difference is that the locking hub can be taken apart, the guts rearranged, and they will get you home... while you and your unit bearing are stuck sitting.



The unit bearing was made moreso for the ease of building than anything... it cut the time needed to install that particular part.



And as for mileage... yep, some older trucks never had lockouts, they had drive flanges... BUT THEY STILL HAD REAL SPINDLES and REPLACEABLE BEARINGS. I feel the main reason hubs were invented was to eliminate driveline vibrations... the added benefit of increased mileage and reduced wear were just a benefit. And again, I installed the DT hubs for one single reason... to get rid of the 3rd gen driveline vibrations... which they did quite well. Hmm, so if the unitbearings are so great, why did I have driveline vibrations?



And for the comment on how many times have people had issues... lots. I offroaded my 1500 (I know it's not a CTD, but it still uses unit bearings) and replaced the hubs at least 6 times in under 150k. The simple fact that you CANNOT EASILY repack a unit bearing after running them in mud/water is enough of a reason for a avid offroader to buy hubs... at least you can repack the bearings in the DT kit... and I was left sitting 2100 miles from home when I had a failed unit bearing... it took over a week to get one ordered in... I could have went to any bearing house and had new bearings for the DT kit the same day.



Each has their pros/cons... dodge tried to use the unit bearing in the 70s with very limited success (and those had a zerk fitting and replaceable bearings)... they had a run of less than 5 years before being eliminated because of failed bearings. I think because of the times, the unit bearing was brought back since most people don't expect a car to get them more than 100k without issues.





steved

 

[brods]

It's a one person job with the manuel locking hubs. You don't have to do the backing up trick and have a second person looking under the truck to make sure the auto hubs unlocked. We replaced the auto hubs on the 97 Ford with Warn manuel hubs for about $200. I would prefer them on the Dodge but at $1800 will wait for now.

That brings up a good point. Automatic locking hubs should not be confused with manual ones. Maybe thats where some confusion over hub life span comes in. Automatic hubs are a bad idea, since the axle shafts have to turn for them to engage. This can be disastrous when stuck in 2 wheel drive since you then have to make the rear tires spin to engage the hubs. When the hubs engage they have the inertia of the rotating driveline trying to blow them apart! Having a heavy right foot during the engagement process often results in the hubs going KABOOM!

 

[ACoffel]

First, IMO they are by far superior to the non-replaceable unit bearings we currently are offered... I want something serviceable, not throw away.



Would you rather spend $250 on a unit bearing or $50 on replaceable bearings? Would you like to replace components (tcase chain, axle joints, diff bearings) you hardly use because they wear out since they are always spinning??



As for winter driving... if I know it will be bad (or potentially be bad), I simply lock them in and forget about them. No fuss, no problems... when locked in they are the same as your "great" unit bearing hubs.



I also live where they get snow for about 4-5 months of the year... but how often do you actually need 4wd? I can count on 1 hand how many times I actually used 4wd last winter. And no, I wasn't pushing it to see just how far I could go, I had the hubs locked in, but if I don't need 4wd, why engage it??



I personally have never seen a quality locking hub have any issues... I ran them for many years. Ford hubs are junk to begin with... I won't even go there...



The few people who feel like you about locking hubs are the reason the rest of us are stuck with the lazy-man's unitbearing hub. It is this modern "throw away" or "disposable" society we live in that has driven the cost of stuff up...



And it is a personal choice, I prefer to be able to choose when I need the front axle engaged, so I can get better mileage, longer life from those components... if you choose to replace unit bearings about every 100k and pay more for fuel because you like to have the option to pull 4wd anytime (including when the roads are completely bare and dry), so be it... wish I had your money to burn.



steved

You said it Steved , I COMPLETELY support your stance on the manual hub issue and I'm surprised that anyone too lazy to get out and lock their hubs isn't

driving a pansy truck like a GM with IFS. I just wish DC would take note of the

popularity of this conversion , although I know they never will because as you

have stated it is primarily a means of expediting the production process by eliminating components and thereby forcing you and I the , the customer to correct the short sighted engineering. DC and all manufacturers sell what appeals to the convenience craving masses and in this case save money by doing so. Those of us who miss the days of kingpin dana 60 axles and np205

transfer cases are becoming more of a minority.