4x4 Issues

[NTRCOOL]

My Dad's '96 F-250 Dully won't engage 4wd. Shift into either setting the light comes on but the front tires won't engage. The only thing I have yet to check is to see if the front drive shaft spins. The hubs are electronic as far as I know and I didn't see any vacuum lines for the diff. any thoughts? If we need new hubs where is the best place to pick up a new set?

[dhanna6powerstroke]

Originally Posted by NTRCOOL

My Dad's '96 F-250 Dully won't engage 4wd. Shift into either setting the light comes on but the front tires won't engage. The only thing I have yet to check is to see if the front drive shaft spins. The hubs are electronic as far as I know and I didn't see any vacuum lines for the diff. any thoughts? If we need new hubs where is the best place to pick up a new set?

The auto hubs in those trucks work off of centrifugal force. The axle has to rotate before they will lock. I've seen many of those blow apart internally because they get locked in after the truck is already stuck. They lock it in and the rear tires will spin and when the hubs try to lock, it breaks the ears off inside.

[NTRCOOL]

So if I try again while its rolling and they still don't engage, they most likely are toast then?

[dhanna6powerstroke]

Originally Posted by NTRCOOL

So if I try again while its rolling and they still don't engage, they most likely are toast then?

Yeah. You need to be rolling slightly when you engage them. I had a guy come in to the dealership I use to work at with a set blown apart. We put a new set in, he went home and hooked to his 5th wheel, started to back up and the rear tires started to spin. He stopped and locked it in but when he started to back up the tires started to spin again and the the hubs locked in. Blew the brand new, 1 day old hubs to pieces. He was back at the dealership the next day buying another set. If yours are bad, you're better off installing manual hubs. If you go manual, you also have to replace the nut kit (retaining kit) because it is different than the auto nut kit.

[NTRCOOL]

I'll give that a shot then.

[NTRCOOL]

The drive shaft is turning the axles are turning and the front wheels don't spin when we get on it in the snow. I take it as the hubs are blown. So any good suggestions on replacements for a good deal?

[dhanna6powerstroke]

Originally Posted by NTRCOOL

The drive shaft is turning the axles are turning and the front wheels don't spin when we get on it in the snow. I take it as the hubs are blown. So any good suggestions on replacements for a good deal?

Just get a set of warn premium manual hubs and new nut kit. Only option for auto hubs are the original ones.

[NTRCOOL]

Those manual hubs don't need a conversion kit at all?

[dhanna6powerstroke]

Originally Posted by NTRCOOL

Those manual hubs don't need a conversion kit at all?

The nut kit IS the conversion kit. There is a nut kit for manual hubs and a different nut kit for auto hubs.

[NTRCOOL]

Oh got ya. Its a its a learning experience for me. I'll check it out. Thanks guys.