AUTO HUBS.... ugh - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

yfs200p · 10-31-2004, 11:36 PM

So the other day my friend's 86 K20 got stuck on the beach due to a front driveshaft problem. so I was happily haulin down the beach on the nice soft sand gettin ready to tow him, and my wonderful automatic locking hubs decided to stop functioning on me. Luckily, with A LOT of throttle and luck, i made it off the beach in 2WD. I am definitely going to replace them with some manual locking hubs, but was wondering what would be the best way to go. I was thinking of going with the Warn Premium hubs (pictured), but was wondering if there is a better alternative than that. Give me your opinion. Thanks.

PS - Also, how difficult are they to install? I see those 6 bolts on the hub, but i has to be more complicated than just changing those.

**JIMs70GMC** · 11-01-2004, 07:46 AM

Straight forward to replace. Changed out a set of auto hubs on an 85 K5 I had. Did it in less than an hour. Follow the directions, keep what they say keep and remove what they tell you.

Devil'S Ride · 11-01-2004, 07:24 PM

What T/C are you runnin. I see you got a 4 speed, but if you have an NP203, you have to convert it to part time. If you got the 205 behind yer 4 speed, its a straight swap. easy as pie. the hardest part is dealin with the c clips....but with a lil bit of patience and a few beers, its easy.

Oh, the warn premiums are good, I ran a pair for a long time, until I stripped one (dont ask) and apparently, warn had changed their body style just slightly, and everynow and then they come across a truck that the hub body just does not fit into any more (my truck argh....) since then I ahve been running the super winch hubs with great results....at 35$ less too......so either pair is good IMO.

**JIMs70GMC** · 11-01-2004, 08:28 PM

86 probably has a NP208, he has auto locking hubs which are different from drive flanges found with the full time 4wd trucks w/ the NP203.

Stano · 11-01-2004, 09:13 PM

So what is gonna happen if you run a NP203 with lockouts and no P/T conversion?
That is what I am runnin right now in my 83 with a TH350. I am just curious. And also is it possible to have a truck factory with this conversion in place, Because the truck my drive train is out of was a 79 and had lockouts factory.

Destructo · 11-01-2004, 09:26 PM

If you run the NP203 in High range locked it will operate like a part-time with the hubs unlocked, except for the fact your front axles are still turning. With a NP208 nothing in the front axle turns when the hubs and transfer case are unlocked.

I am using Warn Basic hubs in my front axle and like them, they still have a metal cap as apposed to the basic plastic mile markers I had before which I destroyed one of them.

clarkjw24 · 11-01-2004, 10:55 PM

I'm running the warn premiums and I love them.

**JIMs70GMC** · 11-02-2004, 08:13 AM

Stano, factory it would have been a NP205 transfer case w/ manual hubs not the NP203.

10-31-2004, 11:36 PM	#1
yfs200p E.H.F.D Engine #2 Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: East Hampton, NY Long Island Posts: 916	AUTO HUBS.... ugh So the other day my friend's 86 K20 got stuck on the beach due to a front driveshaft problem. so I was happily haulin down the beach on the nice soft sand gettin ready to tow him, and my wonderful automatic locking hubs decided to stop functioning on me. Luckily, with A LOT of throttle and luck, i made it off the beach in 2WD. I am definitely going to replace them with some manual locking hubs, but was wondering what would be the best way to go. I was thinking of going with the Warn Premium hubs (pictured), but was wondering if there is a better alternative than that. Give me your opinion. Thanks. PS - Also, how difficult are they to install? I see those 6 bolts on the hub, but i has to be more complicated than just changing those. Attached Images __________________ -NICK '72 K10 SWB Fleetside. Avocado Highlander 350-4speed-NP205 Frame Off Re-Creation '89 GMC V3500 C/C Flatbed Plow Truck 454/SM465/Np205 '15 Chevy 2500HD CCSB High Country Duramax '22 Tahoe Premier Duramax

11-01-2004, 07:46 AM	#2
JIMs70GMC user # 2756 Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Chesapeake, Virginia Posts: 4,612	Straight forward to replace. Changed out a set of auto hubs on an 85 K5 I had. Did it in less than an hour. Follow the directions, keep what they say keep and remove what they tell you. __________________ 1970 K25, 8' stepside bed 350/465/205 44 up front, 60 in the rear 4.10s rolling on 33" Dunlop MTs 1986 K5, 350/465/208 Dana 60/14 bolt from a cucv 36" Super Swampers TSL/SX 1983 K20 w/ CUCV axles, 350/700R4/208 sitting on 37" Goodyears 1986 M1031 6.2 diesel, TH400/NP205 locker in the rear and a LS in the front, all stock for now..... 1986 K30, 350/400/205 dana 60 and 14 bolt. I kept the drivetrain. Body/bad and chassis are gone. 1981 K30, 350/465/205 dana 60 and dually 14 bolt. Has a G80, and a flat bed. Going to replace the flat bed. 1985 K20, 350/400/208 10 bolt and SF 14 bolt. I wonder where I can find some 1 tons. Hmmmmm

11-01-2004, 07:24 PM	#3
Devil'S Ride Registered User Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Grants PassOregon Posts: 335	What T/C are you runnin. I see you got a 4 speed, but if you have an NP203, you have to convert it to part time. If you got the 205 behind yer 4 speed, its a straight swap. easy as pie. the hardest part is dealin with the c clips....but with a lil bit of patience and a few beers, its easy. Oh, the warn premiums are good, I ran a pair for a long time, until I stripped one (dont ask) and apparently, warn had changed their body style just slightly, and everynow and then they come across a truck that the hub body just does not fit into any more (my truck argh....) since then I ahve been running the super winch hubs with great results....at 35$ less too......so either pair is good IMO. __________________ The Devil 1983 ONE TON 454/400/208 11" of lift on 44's

11-01-2004, 08:28 PM	#4
JIMs70GMC user # 2756 Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Chesapeake, Virginia Posts: 4,612	86 probably has a NP208, he has auto locking hubs which are different from drive flanges found with the full time 4wd trucks w/ the NP203. __________________ 1970 K25, 8' stepside bed 350/465/205 44 up front, 60 in the rear 4.10s rolling on 33" Dunlop MTs 1986 K5, 350/465/208 Dana 60/14 bolt from a cucv 36" Super Swampers TSL/SX 1983 K20 w/ CUCV axles, 350/700R4/208 sitting on 37" Goodyears 1986 M1031 6.2 diesel, TH400/NP205 locker in the rear and a LS in the front, all stock for now..... 1986 K30, 350/400/205 dana 60 and 14 bolt. I kept the drivetrain. Body/bad and chassis are gone. 1981 K30, 350/465/205 dana 60 and dually 14 bolt. Has a G80, and a flat bed. Going to replace the flat bed. 1985 K20, 350/400/208 10 bolt and SF 14 bolt. I wonder where I can find some 1 tons. Hmmmmm

11-01-2004, 09:13 PM	#5
Stano Registered User Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Mo Posts: 963	So what is gonna happen if you run a NP203 with lockouts and no P/T conversion? That is what I am runnin right now in my 83 with a TH350. I am just curious. And also is it possible to have a truck factory with this conversion in place, Because the truck my drive train is out of was a 79 and had lockouts factory. __________________ New daily driver 96 Chevy K3500 crew cab dually 53,000 miles 350 Vortec 4L80 Nice ride 67 Chevy C-10 LWB Built 350 TH-400 Wifes ride and family rig: 2001 Furd Expedition 5.4 Liter Kickin back in Rolla,Mo. USA "Do the thing you fear most and the death of fear is certain" Mark Twain

11-01-2004, 09:26 PM	#6
Destructo Registered User Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Lewisville, NC Posts: 1,836	If you run the NP203 in High range locked it will operate like a part-time with the hubs unlocked, except for the fact your front axles are still turning. With a NP208 nothing in the front axle turns when the hubs and transfer case are unlocked. I am using Warn Basic hubs in my front axle and like them, they still have a metal cap as apposed to the basic plastic mile markers I had before which I destroyed one of them. __________________ 1985 Scottsdale Shortbed 4x4 Stout 350 with some "upgrades"-700r4-33x12.5" Mud Tires, Warn 8274-50 winch. 2005 Chevrolet Colorado Regular Cab 2wd 4-banger, 5 speed, Street Pack with 3.73 axle.

11-01-2004, 10:55 PM	#7
clarkjw24 I like cheese Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: McBee, SC Posts: 192	I'm running the warn premiums and I love them. __________________ Cruiser: 1972 K5, 400/TH350/NP205, D44 and 12Bolt, 35 TSLs. Trail rig: 86 K5, 350 TBI, SM465/NP205, 5.13s, 14ff locked, h1 beadlocks, 42" TSLs, 64" rears, 56" fronts, D60 locked, 35pline, drive flanges, crossover, hydro assist, OBA. Tow rig: 2002 F350 PSD CC Dually FX4, chipped, cold air intake, BFGs

11-02-2004, 08:13 AM	#8
JIMs70GMC user # 2756 Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Chesapeake, Virginia Posts: 4,612	Stano, factory it would have been a NP205 transfer case w/ manual hubs not the NP203. __________________ 1970 K25, 8' stepside bed 350/465/205 44 up front, 60 in the rear 4.10s rolling on 33" Dunlop MTs 1986 K5, 350/465/208 Dana 60/14 bolt from a cucv 36" Super Swampers TSL/SX 1983 K20 w/ CUCV axles, 350/700R4/208 sitting on 37" Goodyears 1986 M1031 6.2 diesel, TH400/NP205 locker in the rear and a LS in the front, all stock for now..... 1986 K30, 350/400/205 dana 60 and 14 bolt. I kept the drivetrain. Body/bad and chassis are gone. 1981 K30, 350/465/205 dana 60 and dually 14 bolt. Has a G80, and a flat bed. Going to replace the flat bed. 1985 K20, 350/400/208 10 bolt and SF 14 bolt. I wonder where I can find some 1 tons. Hmmmmm



Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.

Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.