2005 F350 4X4

Just to be clear, at the present time no one makes direct bolt on aftermarket locking hubs for 2005 or later Super Dutys with a Dana 60 front axle. Ford changed the inner or outer spline count (can't remember which) after 2004. So, if you have a Super Duty with coil springs up front, your only option is to go with OEM, or go to one of the true front hub assembly's offered by Spyntech or Dynatrack - but your looking at about $1,800 for the kit. If your OEM ESOF hubs are not automatically engaging with a flip of the 4x4 switch(usually the fault of a vacuum leak somewhere), in the winter, just leave them manually locked in. Then the 4x4 switch will just operate the T-case.

No the warn hubs and the factory auto hubs are different hubs I have a set of auto factory hubs on a work bench at home I keep forgetting to throw out.

On my f350 it had ...on the fly 4x4 that you could activate by the switch on the dash. , it also has manual locking hubs in case the auto lock (vacuum) went bad. If that system is working correctly once you put the switch in 4x4 and it is working you are in full 4x4 until you turn the switch back to 2 wheel drive.

I use to have a f350 that was full manual....get out and turn them 4x4 hubs and you had to shift the lever on the floor to shift the transfer into 4x4 high and low.

brooks379 wrote:
You can go to NAPA and buy some Warn locking hubs for a little over $200 if they go bad but then you have to get out and lock them in every time because Warn hubs are manual not vacuum ...but they are better hubs by far IMO and VERY easy to replace.

Just switching the switch on the dash will not turn the manual factory hubs so if you want to try to keep your factory original hubs working spray them and turn them often or like said above they won't work someday.

The manual hubs on Fords are made Warn. I believe the manual hubs on the fully manual system like mine are the same manual hubs they use on the automatic system, but the auto system uses an additional vacuum actuator for shift-on-the-fly.

Automatic hubs can engage and disengage if you are having to rock the vehicle back and forth in 4wd. Locking the manual hubs will keep the front wheels engaged in during these times.

You could do that with manual hubs, just don't get out and lock them in..... leave them in FREE. With ....On the Fly 4x4 ...that runs on vacuum once you turn the switch on the dash, if there are no vacuum leaks you are going into 4 wheel drive. The hubs are run on vacuum and the transfer actuator is run on electric but they work off the same switch.

I believe if the hubs are unlocked and you engage the 4wd, it will engage the transfer case to the 4wd gear ratios, but the front wheels won't be engaged.
A lot of people do this when moving a heavy load especially backing up and want the lower gearing but don't need the traction of the front wheels.

Yes, they do operate on vacuum and if you ever develop a vacuum leak they won't work by just using the switch on the dash you will have to get out and turn the hubs. If you don't use them much they will probably freeze up from dirt and grime getting in them so carry a pair of channel locks and a can of WD-40 !!

You can go to NAPA and buy some Warn locking hubs for a little over $200 if they go bad but then you have to get out and lock them in every time because Warn hubs are manual not vacuum ...but they are better hubs by far IMO and VERY easy to replace.

Just switching the switch on the dash will not turn the manual factory hubs so if you want to try to keep your factory original hubs working spray them and turn them often or like said above they won't work someday.

up here when it's cold they make some nasty noises when switching in Auto mode so we sometimes run the hubs live.

They are automatic, but it is good to move them from auto to lock so that they don't freeze up. I try to remember to move them whenever I was the truck. I know a guy that had to replace them because they froze into the auto position.

thanks guys, I appreciate it.

I had an '04 F350 FX4. I just left the hubs in auto. As stated above, when I engaged 4x4 inside, the hubs automatically engaged.
They never failed so I never had to use the manual engage function.