Auto hub question

[OdinAF]

Unlike some people, I like to not get out of my truck in the sleet, rain, crap, and I like to not have to stop my vehicle, when stopping could potentially get me stuck even more than keeping the wheels a moving.

So instead of all these swap, swap, swap to manual individual..perhaps could we brainstorm some, replacing and or upgrading our auto hubs. I'm a welder , I can fabricate, add and reshape the metal to my hearts content.

What about any company's that make replacement parts. Say I need to fix broken auto hubs and I need parts, where do I go? These are the things I wonder about that google does not answer.

 

[OdinAF]

Just wanted to add this, the main complaint I have is read is a plastic part, I'm thinking of making a mold and cast a couple runs of this part in mild carbon steel, if this works, I wonder if anyone would be interested in this?

 

[4x4junkie]

I'm not sure how many takers you would have.
As you observed, most people swap them out for manual hubs.
If there's even a remote chance one would have to use 4WD in the rain, sleet, snow, etc., they just lock the hubs in ahead of time and drive with the transfer case in 2WD, then just shift it to 4WD and back to 2WD again as needed (many just leave the hubs locked in all winter). This certainly doesn't hurt the system at all, just adds a 0.5-1 MPG penalty maybe.

 

[Lil-Pony]

I would definitely be a taker for a "upgraded" dana 35 hub set

 

[4.0B2]

I didn't realize how much I liked my auto hubs...till I had manuals... THEN I realized I could just lock my hubs in before hand and drive it. I drove my truck all over Hot Springs with the hubs locked.

However, I do think that a good set of auto hubs would be great. I'm thinking some people will love this idea.

 

[dangerranger83]

Or be one of those people that has a live at all times axle under there truck and don't have to worry about hubs.

Once thing about auto hubs is, don't your front wheels have to make at least one full turn for them to activate them vs manual that don't? If your stuck and go to use the auto hubs and one of your tires can't turn, then they are kinda useless. Alot of people don't use 4wd until they actually need it.

Sent from my rooted SPH-D710 using Tapatalk 2

 

[OdinAF]

If someone has a spare one of these plastic cam problem pieces, If I could get it sent to me I will either cast or CNC about 50 run's of these in mild 4140 , donator gets a set for free.
I don't know if there is any other pieces that need to be remade, please bring them to my attention.

Or be one of those people that has a live at all times axle under there truck and don't have to worry about hubs.

Once thing about auto hubs is, don't your front wheels have to make at least one full turn for them to activate them vs manual that don't?

The axle has to make a turn, as long as the transfer case locks in, the axles moves forward locking them into place.

 

[UrbanRedneckKid]

I don't know if there is any other pieces that need to be remade, please bring them to my attention...

I don't need a set, but for the hardcore TTB guys, billet manual hub housings.

I grenaded 6 sets of Warn hubs, before I went SAS. At $220+ a set. Every time it was a housing failure, cheap cast aluminum.

Or even better... Drive flanges for the dedicated trail rigs.

 

[OdinAF]

billet manual hub housings.

Every time it was a housing failure, cheap cast aluminum.

So 4140 Hub Housing and Cams in a package deal.

Yea never ever use aluminum in critical parts that are not meant to bend and flex.

 

[cvar]

Found this related discussion: http://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/581318-4x4-in-1997-ranger-doesnt-work.html

 

[martin]

might be cheaper to crank out the plastic pieces with a 3d printer. They usually fail when the little plastic tits break off the outer piece.

 

[adsm08]

Honestly, my biggest complaint with auto hubs isn't how well they do or don't work. It's my ability to remove the front drive shaft.

I usually lock the hubs, loosen the bolts, and when I need to spin it for access I just unlock one side. Try doing that with auto hubs. Not nearly as easy.