help on converting auto lock hubs to manual

[mspringer]

i have a 92 ford explorer v6 and i believe it has abs. i'm wanting to convert my auto lock hubs to manual is there anything i need to know? also what do i need to know get and how much will this all roughly cost?

thanks in advance
mspringer

 

[Hahnsb2]

http://www.therangerstation.com/tech_library/howto_hubswap.htm
http://www.therangerstation.com/Magazine/Winter2002/hubs.htm

 

[mspringer]

thanks Hahnsb2 now what all do i need...well besides obviously the hubs and do i need to modify the tcase or anything else?

thanks again
mspringer

 

[dogboy]

Cost all depends on where/ how you get the parts. I got everything to do mine, including the hubs, for 30 bucks at a wrecking yard. But, if you buy everything new, you could spend $100-150 or more.

You need:
both manual hubs
the hub locknut/ rings

That's it. The hardest part is getting the lock nut/ conversion kit if you do not want to buy new. If you are fine with buying new, everything is easy.

There is alot of info on this subject in the tech library.
here's a few links:
http://www.therangerstation.com/tech_library/LockNuts.html
http://www.therangerstation.com/tech_library/howto_hubswap.htm
http://www.therangerstation.com/Magazine/Winter2002/hubs.htm


Hope that helps.



EDIT: Hahnsb2 got to it before me...
As for the t-case, there is no differance. The hubs and retaining nuts are all that you will need to change. I'm assuming you know though, that if you are going down the road and shift into 4wd, you will only truely be driving all 4 wheel if you had locked in the hubs before hand. (there's some stupid people in this world who can't grasp that)

 

[mspringer]

thanks dogboy do you think it would be worth doing and should i do it myself or have someone else do it? i was looking at warn hubs are they a good brand if not what is a good brand?

thanks again
mspringer

 

[dogboy]

Warn is the best, and the next best is MileMarker.

To my knoweldge, they are almost the same thing though.

If it's worth doing or not, I think, depends on how you use the truck. If you only use the 4wd for things like snowy days, or dirt roads, then I'd say keep the stock auto hubs, they are just fine for that purpose. But, if you do any type of trails, then you want the manuals. When you change directions (forward to reverse) the hubs go from being locked forwards, then they unlock, and lock again in reverse. And vise versa if you go from reverse to forward. This action tends to grenade the auto hubs very quickly.
But, if you only use 4wd for things like snowy roads, and dirt roads, you don't really have to worry about that.


If you are remotely mechanicly inclined, you can do the swap. Just look at the directions that are in the tech library and they will walk you through the install. If you have ever taken off your brake rotors in the front, you have already done most of the steps involved. The only differance is you put it back together with slightly different parts.

 

[mspringer]

thanks dogboy, how long would this take? i forgot to mention and this is going to be a stupid question and i apologize ahead of time but i have push button 4 wheel drive is that going to change anything?

thanks again
mspringer

 

[Jspafford]

thanks dogboy, how long would this take? i forgot to mention and this is going to be a stupid question and i apologize ahed of time but i have push button 4 wheel drive is that going to change anything?

thanks again
mspringer

No.. If anything it's better incase you accidently hit the 4x4 button without the hubs locked.

 

[mspringer]

thanks again, and hopefully my last question is where can i get a magnet strong enough to take out the wedge,and is this the right Spindle Nut And Washer Kit?


http://www.thepartsbin.com/catalog/?N=&uts=true&Ntt=Spindle+Nut+conversion+Kit+[27988]+&x=13&y=5

you may need to copy and paste.

 

[Jspafford]

Best bet is to clean the grease out with brake cleaner and then use a smaller magnet. Any magnet big enough to pull it out of dried up grease won't be centralized enough on one area to do it.