Locking in auto hubs permanently

[kroed11581]

Hello, since my 99 Ranger died and I just had my second baby, finances are tight and I replaced it with a 91 Exploder. It has the auto hubs, which of course don't work. I read the article on cleaning the grease out and putting ATF in there and plan on trying that. My question is, if I find something broken which would prevent them from working again, is there a way to permanently lock in the hubs so my 4wd will work this winter? I just can't swing manual hubs right now and I don't plan on keeping the truck too long, so if I burn up the front end, I don't really care. So, can a person lock in auto hubs permanently? Thanks for the help!
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Kawasaki ZL1000A

 

[Todd]

Here is a cut away view of what you asked for.

Take the hub apart then take to two main parts, the ones shown and weld. I did this for spare hubs back when I had 35 hubs. They also fail, blew up three of them like this. The houseing blew but the steel internals where always ready for another go.

 

[Hahnsb2]

Ryda, he has a 91 explorer...

 

[Sasquatch_Ryda]

Ryda, he has a 91 explorer...

Durr...thanks Hans Apparently its time for bed.


Alright, never mind what I said earlier. You have to remove the big snap ring from the inside of the hub and remove the guts. Simply weld the locking collar in the locked position and its locked all the time. If you are just driving around and not wheeling it they should be okay to get you through the winter.

 

[MAKG]

Or just pick up a spare set from a pull-yer-own junkyard. These are a dime a dozen.

I even have a set of known-good ones (from another 1991 Exploder) in my spare parts pile. If you're really stuck, I'll sell them to you, but I expect shipping will exceed the cost at a decent self service yard (I wouldn't expect more than $20 for a pair).

Swapping one set of D35 auto hubs for another is less work than installing the spare tire. Really easy, and it can be done on the trail in a pinch (do find level ground to jack the truck up, though).