ESOF with factory locking hubs?

[strokin&stang'n]

So another snow storm has hit the area and am faced with the same question. On my 03' 250 lariat I have electronic shift on the fly, however my hubs say or options are free and lock on them not "auto" So my question is do I have the autolocking hubs. When my rear spins in the snow I put the switch in 4 high but I continue to spin like I ain't in 4wd, only when I get out and change the hubs from free to lock does the truck move. Is it possible the truck came this way with ESOF but factory manual hubs?

[dieselcrawler]

Maybe they were swapped out... look for the vac line going to the hub/knuckle area. I think it's near the ABS line...
I just leave mine locked in when the weather is bad, like it has been for the past week or so... around town and such, leave 'em locked, all I gotta do is pull in the t-case lever, and go... but I never even had the auto option!

[Chakir]

They are definitely not automatic. I don't know that Ford had anything but automatic hubs, but from reading on here it sounds like they go south somewhat often and end up replaced with aftermarket manual ones.

I was somewhat bummed to find out mine had been switched out for manual hubs but once they're locked in the esof works fine. I have mine locked in for the winter, but the popping noises from making the sharp turns needed in my parking deck make me wonder if that's such a good idea.