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01-22-2013, 10:23 AM
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#1
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Junior Member
Join Date: Jan 2012
Posts: 9
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Hubs
Hi guys,
What is the best, manual hub or automatic 4x4 ? I need infos before make my 4x4 conversion.
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01-22-2013, 11:37 AM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Unterfranken
Posts: 456
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Re: Hubs
The automatic ones i have experience with are really bad. You never know if they are in or out and they get fault fast. So manuals are my first choice.
I do not know if there are pneumatik versions are available....they would be great. Comfortable and reliable
__________________
www.Dieda-unterwegs.net
2001 SMB E350 4x4 7.3 Powerstroke
1968 Pontiac Firebird 400 Convertible ,1978 Peugeot 504 Convertible,1988 Porsche 911 Carrera 3.2,KTM 300 EXC,BMW G/S Paris Dakar,BMW "Diabolo"
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01-22-2013, 12:40 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Washington - Ridgefield
Posts: 4,728
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Re: Hubs
It depends on what is more important to you:
- The ability to lock the hubs from the driver's seat
- The knowledge the hubs are truly locked
It doesn't matter what is more important to me or what I prefer.
Mike
__________________
Alaska to Key West, Labrador and more
Prostate cancer survivor. See Thread Prostate cancer and Sportsmobiles
2015 VW GTI 2020 Fiat 124 Spider
2012 E250 Hitop camper
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01-22-2013, 12:57 PM
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#4
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Site Team
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Southern New Mexico
Posts: 10,178
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Re: Hubs
When I went down to Fish Creek at Anza Borrego last month, within 100 yards of leaving the pavement for the sandy wash, it quickly became apparant that my 4x4 system was not engaged (2001 Excursion with in-cab 4x4 selector switch). I jumped out, rotated the hubs manually, and got back in. A minor inconvenience.
Automatic hubs are fine by me, as long as there is a manual backup system. Personally though, when given a choice, I do tend to favor the less-is-more philosophy to complicated systems (vehicles), especially when off the beaten track.
Don't let the availability of one over the other preclude you from choosing the vehicle that best suits you. Auto hubs (at least factory Ford auto hubs) can easily be changed out for manual hubs if that's what you prefer.
Herb
__________________
SMB-less as of 02/04/2012. Our savings account is richer, but our adventures are poorer.
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01-22-2013, 02:04 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2009
Posts: 582
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Hubs
One more unmentioned:
Automatic hubs must roll forward to engage. Manual do not.
Example: thought you could make it in 2wd, turns out you were wrong and are stuck in the mud. With automatic hubs, you stay in the driver seat with clean shoes and select 4wd. Unfortunately, you are still stuck because you can't roll forward to engage 4wd. With, manual hubs you get your shoes dirty, but you also get 4wd and can continue on your way.
AND, ditto on Herbs thought. More simple systems = fewer broken systems.
__________________
Current: 2014 15 Passenger V8
Former: 2009 SMB 4x4 6.0
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01-22-2013, 03:05 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Corvallis, OR
Posts: 5,300
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Re: Hubs
Manual is simple / less to go wrong.
I myself plan on going with automatic hubs. As long as they are engaged regularly, they are decently reliable. But I also plan on going with ESOF (electronic shift on the fly) because I don't want a shifter on the floor.
I will also add a front hub actuator lockout so I can have 2WD low for backing trailers.
__________________
2000 E450 dually V10 wagon
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01-22-2013, 08:50 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: PNW
Posts: 402
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Re: Hubs
Manual Ford one ton or Warn. Manual is bomb proof. Get a full float in the rear and put hubs back there too! That way if you break an axle you can still get out.
Manual shift transfer case too for bomb proofness.
On the other hand, why simplfy your already way too complex electronic battleship on wheels.
I have had auto hubs fail and I have had push button 4x4 fail also.
__________________
Two wheels or four, its all good. :-)
'10 E-350 EB V-10 QuadVan 4x4, SMB penthouse top, Van Specialties interior
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01-23-2013, 02:34 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Corvallis, OR
Posts: 5,300
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Re: Hubs
Quote:
Originally Posted by maxacceleration
Manual Ford one ton or Warn. Manual is bomb proof. Get s full float in the rear and put hubs back there too! That way if you break an axle you can still get out.
Manual shift transfer.
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I've never seen selectable hubs for the rear. I can't envision how that could work without custom axle shaft.
Pulling and axle shaft will do the same thing, and its pretty easy to do. You don't even need to remove the wheel. A plastic yogurt tub lid can make a temporary closeout to hold the oil in.
__________________
2000 E450 dually V10 wagon
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01-23-2013, 03:16 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: PNW
Posts: 402
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Re: Hubs
Here you go cb. http://www.off-roadweb.com/tech/0112or_ ... ing_axles/
If your heavy rig does not have a full floating rear axle, there are benefits to be had.
Yes locking hubs in the rear. For flat towing a locked rear end or getting out if you have broke an axle.
Well known and been done on the hardcore scene for a while now.
__________________
Two wheels or four, its all good. :-)
'10 E-350 EB V-10 QuadVan 4x4, SMB penthouse top, Van Specialties interior
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01-23-2013, 03:54 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Rancho Nuevo (Cabo/Todos Santos) B.C.S. and San Diego, CA
Posts: 1,952
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Re: Hubs
No one makes a locking hub for flanged axle full floating rear axles like the Dana 60. There are some custom setups that convert lighter duty semi floating axles like the Ford 9 inch and Dana 44...
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Four time Baja 1000 winner, four time Baja 500 winner. Solo'ed the Baja 1000 to LaPaz/Cabo twice.
4-Wheeling since 1972, Desert Racing since 1989.
AgileOffRoad.com
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