Can Automatic Locking Hubs be Changed to Manual Locking?

simon kenton · Feb 2nd, 2005, 05:53 AM

I am looking at buying a 96 King Cab 4wd. I asked the guy on the phone whether it had automatic locking hubs. He was not sure. His son keeps the truck. He called his son to ask. His son told him, when he got the truck it had automatic locking hubs, but he got it changed to hubs that must be locked manually.
I didn't know this was possible. Am I being bsed? If you can change automatic hubs to manual, can you change manual hubs to automatic?

ohman · Feb 2nd, 2005, 05:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by simon kenton

I am looking at buying a 96 King Cab 4wd. I asked the guy on the phone whether it had automatic locking hubs. He was not sure. His son keeps the truck. He called his son to ask. His son told him, when he got the truck it had automatic locking hubs, but he got it changed to hubs that must be locked manually.
I didn't know this was possible. Am I being bsed? If you can change automatic hubs to manual, can you change manual hubs to automatic?

Yes you can change them to manual here is a link for you to see, it is not for a Nissan but you get the point.

http://www.gowarn.com/search_result....rtNumber=32720

simon kenton · Feb 2nd, 2005, 08:59 AM

Why would someone change the automatic hubs to manual? Is there a problem with the automatic hubs?
Can you change the manual hubs back to automatic?

kinger · Feb 2nd, 2005, 11:40 AM

Hi,

I changed my auto-locking hubs to manual locking on a '95 ford f150 because I was having problems with the autolocking hubs, and I spent a lot of time with the truck off-road. I wanted hubs that I could manually lock and KNOW they were locked. It was easy to do, and I'm sure you could go the other direction if you wanted.

Pete

Startours7 · Feb 2nd, 2005, 11:41 AM

automatic hubs like to stay locked or not lock up at all. Manual hubs just work better. Its that whole keep it simple stupid thing. Although getting out in the mud to lock your hubs sucks.

BFinlay · Feb 2nd, 2005, 01:25 PM

yes they can be changed to manual. the best ones for KC are the warns.

http://www.4x4parts.com/public_html/...ea8317a16ece4e

fullsize_fun · Feb 2nd, 2005, 02:06 PM

yeah you can change back and forth. in my experiance though manual hubs last longer, and have fewer problems that go along with them. its just the theory, with more moving parts theres more stuff to break, keep it simple. just my .02.

simon kenton · Feb 2nd, 2005, 08:42 PM

BFinlay==That link is for manual locking hubs.
I haven't found anyone who sells automatic locking hubs.
I have to use 4wd every time I use my driveway and I want automatic hubs.

BFinlay · Feb 2nd, 2005, 08:47 PM

i dont know anyone who sells aftermarket auto hubs. i guess you could either do a junkyard hunt. or hit the stealership. you way also be able to buy them off of someone who is doing a swap to manual.

there is a message board on the site i posted the link for the manual hubs. post the question there and see if anyone knows. Ive found that the overall knowledge base over there seems to be greater then the one here.

werks2much · Feb 2nd, 2005, 09:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by simon kenton

BFinlay==That link is for manual locking hubs.
I haven't found anyone who sells automatic locking hubs.
I have to use 4wd every time I use my driveway and I want automatic hubs.

PM if you are interested in a set of used '95 Auto hubs. I took mine off and replaced them with Warns. Yeah it sucks getting out to lock'em but I know they're either locked or unlocked. Do a search regarding the hubs, its a frequent question. Most guys nix the autos for the manuals but to answer your question yes you can go back to auto. You might be looking at a dealer item if you want new one$$$. Either pull them from a junk yard or find someone with a set they pulled off their truck.

What brand hubs does the truck have? I'd be interested in an even swap.

darinm · Oct 5th, 2005, 08:26 PM

Sorry to drag this up one more time, but I'd like clarification on something.
Will switching to manual hubs make everything on it manual? I have a fairly good sized electral problem, and all the wires that go to the transmission area on my truck are pretty much gone (and fried into the main harness as well) What I am wondering is if I switch to the Warn manual hubs will everything engage correctly? It's a 89 pickup, V6 manual transmission and the 4wd shifter on the floor to the left of the transmssion stick shift. I'm kind of lost on this, and the truck isn't really worth taking to a mechanic. Thanks, Darin

deathtorice · Oct 5th, 2005, 09:11 PM

I thought the hubs on an '89 WERE manual? if they are automatic though, changing to manual would eliminate the need for any wires going to your hubs. just manually lock or unlock them. nice and smiple, no shit to break. in my opinion, trucks are becomming pussified. real men used to drive them. real men are not afraid/too lazy to get out and lock their hubs. Also, simon, where the hell do you live? 4x4 EVERY time you use your driveway? do you live in a swamp or something?

lewisnc100 · Oct 6th, 2005, 08:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by deathtorice

if they are automatic though, changing to manual would eliminate the need for any wires going to your hubs.

Wires going to automatic hubs?????

Vertigo1 · Oct 6th, 2005, 02:34 PM

Call Courtesy Nissan in Texas, best place to get parts for Nissans, largest Nissan Parts dealership in the country, my local dealership couldnt find anything for my autohubs in his books, called Courtesy and they hooked me up. The internals are cheap, the brake kit for each side, like, $5, the two washers, $2 each, spring clip like, $2, the compression spring, like, $3. The downside is the actual hub assembly itself, and you will need the outer casing/weight as well, runs around $350 or so PER SIDE if I remember correctly. I was only replacing the internals mentioned above, so very little cost. These parts were all special order from Japan tho, not stuff they keep in stock.

Courtesy Nissan Parts Department: 800.527.1909

deathtorice · Oct 6th, 2005, 07:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lewisnc100

Wires going to automatic hubs?????

darinm said his wires were all fried. i don't know how auto hubs work. i was just trying to help him out. i have never had/needed/wanted a 4x4 vehicle.