Manual 4x4

[buck91]

Just thinking, not really going anywhere particular with this line of thought... It seems like almost all modern 4wd trucks use some type of electrical or vacuum actuation for both the transfer case as well as the front hubs and this of course comes with occasional (or frequent in some models) problems. Yes, its nice to disengage that front axle on the highway but its not so nice to worry about vacuum lines failing or losing access to 4WD. What trucks still come with manual locking hubs and a manual transfer case? Or at least the manual transfer case with aftermarket options for manual hubs? For example, my F150 does not have any options for manual hubs and the IWE are known to cause problems and are very sensitive to vacuum issues.

 

[CT8]

The Ford F250/350 may be ordered with one.

 

[4WD]

Ford can do hubs on HD …
On GM's the work truck series still have a 4WD shift on the hump but no hubs … I looked at a couple but decided I wanted some interior features and got an LT that was an executive demo … the LT and up is electric …

Not around any Mopar trucks these days

 

[andyd]

The Rat came rigged with manual hubs and an electric shifted transfer case. So if you run around in 2 wheel with the hubs locked in. Vacuum wheel locks were the next highest option. They are dismissed by the guys on TRS as unreliable. Compared to vacuum shifted viscous coupling TCs in my AMC Jeeps, Fords 1354 is a rinky dink POJ. The Rat is currently locked in low range by a vice grip where the shift motor used to be. Crude clumsy but fail safe.

 

[maxdustington]

Originally Posted by 4WD
Ford can do hubs on HD …
On GM's the work truck series still have a 4WD shift on the hump but no hubs … I looked at a couple but decided I wanted some interior features and got an LT that was an executive demo … the LT and up is electric …

Not around any Mopar trucks these days
My friend had a 2014 or 2015 Silverado with manual shift 4X4, I was shocked. My Dad's 2004 had the auto transfer case. It was nice but it glitched out occasionally and leaving it in auto 4X4 is apparently not good for it.

The auto is nice for when you park on the street and get plowed in.

 

[exranger06]

Originally Posted by andyd
The Rat came rigged with manual hubs and an electric shifted transfer case. So if you run around in 2 wheel with the hubs locked in. Vacuum wheel locks were the next highest option. They are dismissed by the guys on TRS as unreliable. Compared to vacuum shifted viscous coupling TCs in my AMC Jeeps, Fords 1354 is a rinky dink POJ. The Rat is currently locked in low range by a vice grip where the shift motor used to be. Crude clumsy but fail safe.

97 and older Rangers did not have vacuum operated hubs. The automatic hubs were purely mechanical. When you engaged 4wd and the axle shafts started turning, they turned the mechanism in the hubs and they locked in. To unlock them, you had to shift back into 2wd and back up 10 ft or so. The wheels turning backwards without the axle shafts turning disengaged the mechanism and unlocked them. Only the 98-00 Rangers had vacuum operated hubs. Both types were notoriously unreliable though, which is why Ford gave up on them and just made the 2001+ Rangers with permanently locked hubs. My mom's 94 Explorer had the same mechanical auto hubs which eventually failed. I replaced them with manual hubs, which are far more reliable and cost about half as much as the autos.