Ford "Auto"n On The Locking Hub ??
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URL: https://www.allischalmers.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=186490
Printed Date: 27 Jul 2025 at 11:45am
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Topic: Ford "Auto"n On The Locking Hub ??
Posted By: FREEDGUY
Subject: Ford "Auto"n On The Locking Hub ??
Date Posted: 17 Feb 2022 at 5:52pm
WHAT is the purpose of this "segment" on the hub IF it does NOTHING to get you going from a slick intersection ?? 
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Replies:
Posted By: jaybmiller
Date Posted: 17 Feb 2022 at 6:33pm
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'Auto' probably does what my WARN Lock-o-matic hubs did decades ago.... When the vehicle supplies MORE torque than the road does, the hubs ARE engaged,so you have 4WD. If you shift out of 4WD,then the front wheels are 'freewheeling'. These hubs will give you the best MPG. ------------- 3 D-14s,A-C forklift, B-112 Kubota BX23S lil' TOOT( The Other Orange Tractor) Never burn your bridges, unless you can walk on water |
Posted By: FREEDGUY
Date Posted: 17 Feb 2022 at 6:41pm
Thanks Jay. According to my manual, the "Auto" should let the truck get through "minimal" traction situations in 4x4 without the hubs being in "LOCK"  ?? My truck does just the opposite as what your Warn hubs did 
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Posted By: klinemar
Date Posted: 17 Feb 2022 at 8:28pm
| A lot of Auto locking hubs were replaced with locking hubs as they didn't work. |
Posted By: Red Bank
Date Posted: 17 Feb 2022 at 9:08pm
| I assume you are referring to your 05 F250? Do you have the 4wd switch on the dash or do you have a floor shifter to engage the 4WD? If you have the switch you can leave the hubs in Auto if the vacuum system is working right and engages the hubs. If the vacuum system fails to work properly then you can “Lock” the hubs in. If you have the floor shifter for 4WD then you have to lock the hubs in manually. |
Posted By: TDF
Date Posted: 17 Feb 2022 at 9:11pm
| What vintage truck are we talking about? 99 or later superduty at least up to the 2010's Auto only means the hub will auto lock if you put the transfer case in 4wd. Whether in auto or lock, if the transfer case is in 2wd then there is zero power to the front axle. |
Posted By: jaybmiller
Date Posted: 18 Feb 2022 at 6:09am
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hmm 'auto' is a button or knob IN the cabin ? NOT on the HUB itself ? THAT opens up a huge 'can of worms'.waay too much 'stuff' to go wrong. The Lock-O-Matic hubs were 100% mechanical selfcontained units. Old Skool....real old skool... easy to use, built to last.... ONLY if I went offroad , did I need to get out and 'lock' them. great now I'm missing my Willy pickup, sniff,sniff.... ------------- 3 D-14s,A-C forklift, B-112 Kubota BX23S lil' TOOT( The Other Orange Tractor) Never burn your bridges, unless you can walk on water |
Posted By: DMiller
Date Posted: 18 Feb 2022 at 7:09am
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My 99 F250 has Auto Hubs, requires a Vacuum Signal from a Solenoid on Right Inner Fender Pan that most have no clue drives them. The valve corrupts or the plastics degrade and the vacuum signal never occurs, even the vacuum lines to the front spindles can be damaged and will not function. These are not Brain Science or Rocket Surgery, just have to know how they function. Still have a MANUAL 'ON' position if do Not engage with dash control.
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Posted By: jaybmiller
Date Posted: 18 Feb 2022 at 7:43am
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sounds like they took a perfectly GREAT unit, made it complicated ..and it fails....sigh.. next you'll hear the hubs will have WIFI in them and the fancy dash computer will show when they're on or off.... ------------- 3 D-14s,A-C forklift, B-112 Kubota BX23S lil' TOOT( The Other Orange Tractor) Never burn your bridges, unless you can walk on water |
Posted By: DMiller
Date Posted: 18 Feb 2022 at 7:49am
| Tried to Simplify for the Simpletons that could not master Unlocking hubs for economy while ate up front Diffs and short shaft u-joints. Have not had issues beyond having to manually 'ON' my own truck hubs when as stated the solenoid failed. |
Posted By: Tbone95
Date Posted: 18 Feb 2022 at 10:35am
You haven't seen the push button 4wd yet? Been out since dad's '92 Ford. On half tons anyway.
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jaybmiller wrote:Posted By: steve(ill)
Date Posted: 18 Feb 2022 at 12:51pm
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FORD 1/2 tons have a knob on the dash for 2WD- AUTO- 4HI- 4LO ..... to engage the front end, they used a vacuum piston on the pumpkin to disconnect the drive shaft from the front axle from about 1997 to 2004 ... the AXLE half shafts were splined to the hubs and turned constantly.... In 2004 they moved the vacuum to the WHEEL ENDS so that when you went to 2WD and disconnected the drive shaft at the transfer case, it also disconnected the axle half shafts at the wheel ends so the AXLE and DRIVE shaft dont turn... little better gas mileage..... The "AUTO" allows the computer to turn the 4x4 on and off... The 4HI or 4LO locks it in until you switch back.. The heavier F250 - 350 used a different HUB and it could be LOCKED into position if the vaccum piston stopped working... as DAVE said above. ------------- Like them all, but love the "B"s. |
Posted By: FREEDGUY
Date Posted: 18 Feb 2022 at 5:39pm
Yes RED, That is what's on my buggy, the "dial " engagement
 . I really miss the center "hump" lever that was on dad's '78 and '97 model year Fords and my '95 model Dodge Ram  |
Posted By: FREEDGUY
Date Posted: 18 Feb 2022 at 5:42pm
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[QUOTE=jaybmiller] hmm 'auto' is a button or knob IN the cabin ? NOT on the HUB itself ? THAT opens up a huge 'can of worms'.waay too much 'stuff' to go wrong. The Lock-O-Matic hubs were 100% mechanical selfcontained units. Old Skool....real old skool... easy to use, built to last.... ONLY if I went offroad , did I need to get out and 'lock' them. great now I'm missing my Willy pickup, sniff,sniff.... [/QUOTE I have 2 positions on my "outboard " hubs, AUTO or LOCKED (I have to twist them one way or another) .
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Posted By: jaybmiller
Date Posted: 18 Feb 2022 at 5:42pm
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Last 4wd truck was my '86 F160 V8/stick..nice ride. last 'push button' vehicle was the '64 Chrysler Saratoga, with the funky elctrogreen dash backlighting.... ------------- 3 D-14s,A-C forklift, B-112 Kubota BX23S lil' TOOT( The Other Orange Tractor) Never burn your bridges, unless you can walk on water |