Warn hub question

[Chakir]

Can someone fill me in on the operation of the Warn hubs?

Can I lock them in if I anticipate needing 4wd and switch in and out as needed in the cab or do I need to go running around my truck in the snow in cold?

Does having them locked in limit my steering? (I'm forgetting the exact wording there is about sharp turns in 4wd)

[Beast Of Burden]

Yes, you can lock them and run in 2wheel drive and when you need 4wheel just pull your lever and you're good to go, as far as turning radius with the hubs locked and the truck in 2wheel drive I havent noticed a difference but there may be slightly that I havent noticed. I dont get any binding while turning in 2wheel drive with the hubs locked.

If Im wrong, please someone correct me, but it just snowed here yesterday and I ran with my hubs locked untill this afternoon and I was in 2wd most of the time but when it got real slippery I put it in 4wd and I had no issues

[bigcountrysg]

Once the snow flies in Michigan, I drive with my hubs locked in. Only time I had any problems was when I was turning and the truck was in 4wheeldrive. I was in the middle of the turn and the tires caught some dry pavement and well I actually broke a hub. But because of the lifetime warranty, I pulled the hubs went to the part store and got a new set no questions asked.

[Josh99]

In all the 4wd vehicles I have driven in my 18 years, I have always made sure to keep hubs unlocked on pavement. In my truck, I am much more careful, just because it is my truck, but I try to keep my turns wider and maybe make a 3 point instead of a tight turn. I might be wrong, but I wouldnt ever let my truck touch pavement with my hubs locked, unless I really needed it and I was going straight. Looking forward to what everyone else says.

[Jake]

As long as the transfer case is in 2wd you can run with your hubs locked with no issues, unless of course you have welded your front spider gears into a lincoln locker. My hubs were locked for about 30,000 miles and i never had any issues other than worse fuel mileage. They were stuck locked by the way, junk factory hubs.

You will have no difference in turning radius. You may notice more vibration when going at highway speeds, but i've been well over 100 mph with them locked with no issues. Just don't put the t-case in 4wd on dry pavement and try turning. That's when the binding happens.

[Degnol]

The whole idea behind lockout hubs is to prevent the tires from spinning the axles/3rd member and driveshaft and to increase fuel mileage and prevent wear on those parts. If your front pumpkin is open (has no locker), your turning radius remains unaffected. Anytime I even anticipate needing 4WD, I lock the hubs. But, that's just the way I am. Did not buy my truck to decrease my carbon footprint

[dieselcrawler]

It's a value judgement on each driver's part...

In a perfect world, with all parts in good condition, no binding will occure with hubs locked in, but transfercase in 2wd. As parts wear out, vibrations will increase, and unlocking the hubs will decrease wear and tear on parts that will add to vibrations.

I run mine unlocked most of the time, but am not shy about leaving them locked in for a few days when the weather is bad, and haveing to stop, get out, lock in the hubs, get back in, go, is a hassle... but dry weather, summer, they are unlocked unless needed.

My take on things is this... if you do lock in the hubs, and notice issues, vibrations, rummbles, etc, then you need to repair something, and should run unlocked unless needed. Otherwise, you should be ok, aside from lower MPG...

[Jake]

Greg said it perfect.