Is it worth it swapping from auto to manual hubs?

[Hopman]

I've got a '94 2.3 4x4 stick with auto hubs. How much of a PITA is it to swap from the stock auto hubs (which are still working fine wuth 153,000 miles on the odo), to a manual set-up?
Are the stock hubs electric or vacum controlled?

My truck is a daily driver and the 4x4 is used in the winter only, and only as a tool to get home when 2WD ain't cutting it.

Would the manual hubs make an difference in fuel mileage?

Are there any special tools I need to do the conversion?

I'm just curious because I've heard stories from friends and other local Ranger owners about blowing their stock hubs with no warning.

 

[dirtsquirt]

Any hub will blow, if they are not looked after. The choice is your's, if you use your 4x4 like you say you do, leave it as is. just drive a couple miles every couple weeks with your truck in 4 hi. this will keeps your hubs working.

Most hubs fail to engage manual or auto. just because of the lack of use.

 

[Hopman]

I try to excersise the t-case motor every couple of weeks, even during the summer.

 

[Downey]

this is how i see it. when i was driving my dads 90 f150 it has stock auto hubs. they were working fine the day b4 then the next day it snowed more over night and put about 6 more inches of snow on my driveway. i pulled for 4wd and i got nothing the hubs took a shit. now i have manual hubs on my ranger they have never let me down. If i know the roads are going to be bad i turn in my hubs and run most of the winter with them in. then all i have to do is engage the tcase and you are ready to go you dont have to get out and turn them. but i have never had my manual hubs fail. the electric tcase is another story. i swapped to a manual tcase no i know i will always have 4wd when i need it. so IMO manual hubs are much better and more reliable