Manuel locking hubs

[hunthard]

So back in the day my dad had a 4wd truck, we used to lock the hubs in when we pulled off the road and headed up into the hills, when we came out we would turn the hubs back out, so here is my question, I replaced the hubs on my F350 with locking warn hubs, is it ok now to drive around with the hubs locked in?

[BigGoonTuna]

Should be ok, having the hubs unlocked saves wear and tear on your front end. Most trucks these days just have everything spinning all the time.

[Woodchuck]

I would not for 2 reasons. 1. It's more rotating mass that can have some affect on mileage. 2. It keeps the axles spinning all the time and can cause more wear. 

[Oh Mah]

I agree with both.Remember with locking hubs its unlocked the ring and pinion don't turn as your driving down the road so every once in a while it is suggested to lock them in to keep it well lubed so rust wont set in on ring and pinion.  locked in driving on dry pavement if you have a posi can be pretty rough on the front end. 

[Bullkllr]

I agree with both.Remember with locking hubs its unlocked the ring and pinion don't turn as your driving down the road so every once in a while it is suggested to lock them in to keep it well lubed so rust wont set in on ring and pinion.  locked in driving on dry pavement if you have a posi can be pretty rough on the front end. 

I was just going to post that!

[gaddy]

I wouldn't, With the different turning radius from rt to lft on the front end it could bind things up. I never locked in until I thought I had to and would unlock as soon as I thought I could. Several times I had to back up to unwind everything after being locked up, or it wouldn't unlock, too bound up. Older rig though and not so sophisticated as the new stuff. Like Woodchuck say's more wear on every thing, Including tires. Instead of rolling they are trying to bite and there goes the outsides.

[Mudman]

Transfer case engages and front driveline and diff are spinning. Hubs engage or disengage axles from wheel to ring pinion/diff.  I have manuals on my 06 Dodge.  I turn em for few miles when not in use and use 4 wheel drive to keep em good.  I do leave my hubs locked when I will be in out of 4wheel or weather might be bad on a drive.  Doesn't hurt anything to do that.  But they are manual for reason, to unlock and prevent wear.  So ya do what ya want but keep em out most times.  Also 2 wheel low is cool for backing up trlrs.

[sagerat]

Transfer case engages and front driveline and diff are spinning. Hubs engage or disengage axles from wheel to ring pinion/diff.  I have manuals on my 06 Dodge.  I turn em for few miles when not in use and use 4 wheel drive to keep em good.  I do leave my hubs locked when I will be in out of 4wheel or weather might be bad on a drive.  Doesn't hurt anything to do that.  But they are manual for reason, to unlock and prevent wear.  So ya do what ya want but keep em out most times.  Also 2 wheel low is cool for backing up trlrs.

  keep them unlocked most of the time but if you’re in the hills for a period of time leave’m locked, just like yer old man did. Won’t hurt a thing.

[Bofire]

leave them unlocked for normal use, turn them in as soon as you leave the pavement, then you can shift in from inside and it spins the grease up. LOL
Carl

[Happy Gilmore]

Put Warn Golds on my 2002 F 350 about 10 years ago after having a freeze up in snow/ice elk hunting. Never had a problem since. I lock them when I head out if I suspect I may need it. Turn them when I don't think I'll need them locked.