How do OEM automatic hubs work? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

uncle_handsome · 12-28-2004, 10:30 AM

I'd like to know how automatic hubs work and if there'd be a way to put a switch into the system so I can shift into 4 LO and disengage the front axle giving me a 2 LO.

uncle_handsome · 12-28-2004, 10:36 AM

I'd also like to know how to replace an automatic hub system (if I don't like it) with a manual hub system...

**special-K** · 12-28-2004, 10:43 AM

Replace the auto-hubs.They can`t stand up to real 4wheelin`or over-size tires.To get lo-2wd you`ll need a "twin-stick"set-up for the tranfer-case.This alows you to select Hi/Lo with one and 2/4 with the other.

uncle_handsome · 12-28-2004, 12:42 PM

Can the original t-case be modified to have a twin-stick? How much does it cost to put replace the auto-hubs and put in a twin-stick?

Blazer1970 · 12-28-2004, 06:15 PM

Just put on a set of manual hubs. Then you can get 2WD low by leaving the hubs unlocked just like you said. No need for a twin stick.

smokkey1 · 12-28-2004, 06:28 PM

put the tranny in netural and then shift you tcase to 4hi or 4lo then put in drive.
then to disangage put it in Netural and shift it back to 2hi and the reverse for 10-15ft and you'll be good to go.

784X4GUY · 12-28-2004, 08:02 PM

On my HD all I do is pop it in 4 Wheel and it is good to go. But maybe mine is different. But of course if ya wanna put it in 4 Low ya gotta put it in neutral...Later Mike

**special-K** · 12-28-2004, 10:26 PM

Just so you know.With hubs free/in 4-lo,you`ll be turning the front driveshaft,differential,axles,axle u-joints,and outer axle stubs inside the spindles,just not engaged at the hub.

Destructo · 12-28-2004, 11:19 PM

You need an NP205 t-case to twin-stick, I don't think they offer a twinstick setup for 203s and 208s.

blaserman · 12-29-2004, 01:45 AM

I Just Replaced My Hubs With A Set Of Warn's. Only Took Me Total For Both Sides 30 Minutes. (86 K5 Blazer) They Seem Better Then The Factory Set. Just Have To Get Out And Turn Them To Lock First.

**special-K** · 12-30-2004, 08:59 AM

Yeah,and when you in and out of bad conditions(patchy snow/mostly clear),like drifted over cleared roads,you can lock them in at the house and have "shift-on-fly" 4wd.

yfs200p · 01-03-2005, 11:38 PM

Well, i just ordered a set of Warn hubs, just because my auto hubs only didnt work when i really needed them to pull through. Like on the beach in soft sand for instance... they would work 1/4 mile down the beach then bang, they slip out. Luckily the 33's and posi rear worked in my favor and i got off in 2 wheel. So definitely buy hubs before you go wheeling, especially if you just bought the truck, and arent sure if they work well or not.

PS - if you spend the extra $20 and get WARN Premium hubs, you have to make a full 9/10 rotation so you know theyre locked in. unlike most hubs, you only have to turn them 1/4 turn. Just a little cheap insurance if you ask me but its just my $.02

**special-K** · 01-05-2005, 08:29 AM

The thing with the auto hubs,even if they work right,is they can`t take serious torque.Sooner or later they`ll let go.Then it gets bad`cause they`ll take-out other parts with them and it can get alot more expensive.

12-28-2004, 10:30 AM	#1
uncle_handsome Uncle H. is this cartoon Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mississauga, SC (I wish! lol!) Ontario Posts: 797	How do OEM automatic hubs work? I'd like to know how automatic hubs work and if there'd be a way to put a switch into the system so I can shift into 4 LO and disengage the front axle giving me a 2 LO.

12-28-2004, 10:43 AM	#3
special-K Special Order Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mt Airy, MD Posts: 85,862	Replace the auto-hubs.They can`t stand up to real 4wheelin`or over-size tires.To get lo-2wd you`ll need a "twin-stick"set-up for the tranfer-case.This alows you to select Hi/Lo with one and 2/4 with the other. __________________ "BUILDING A BETTER WAY TO SERVE THE USA"......67/72......"The New Breed" GMC '67 C1500 Wideside Super Custom SWB: 327/M22/3.42 posi.........."The '67" (project) GMC '72 K2500 Wideside Sierra Custom Camper: 350/TH350/4.10 Power-Lok..."The '72" (rolling) Tim "Don't call me a redneck. I'm a rough cut country gentleman" R.I.P. ~ East Side Low Life ~ El Jay ~ 72BLUZ ~ Fasteddie69 ~ Ron586 ~ 67ChevyRedneck ~ Grumpy Old Man ~

12-28-2004, 06:15 PM	#5
Blazer1970 Registered User Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Old Mission, MI, USA Posts: 2,510	Just put on a set of manual hubs. Then you can get 2WD low by leaving the hubs unlocked just like you said. No need for a twin stick. __________________ Tim

12-28-2004, 06:28 PM	#6
smokkey1 Land Beast Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 134	put the tranny in netural and then shift you tcase to 4hi or 4lo then put in drive. then to disangage put it in Netural and shift it back to 2hi and the reverse for 10-15ft and you'll be good to go. __________________ 90' GMC 1 Ton Suburban

12-28-2004, 08:02 PM	#7
784X4GUY Did someone say MUD? Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Pullman,WA Posts: 1,089	On my HD all I do is pop it in 4 Wheel and it is good to go. But maybe mine is different. But of course if ya wanna put it in 4 Low ya gotta put it in neutral...Later Mike __________________ Im in the market guys...so keep ya eyes peeled -------------------- Mini trucks are for guys who cant get it up!

12-28-2004, 10:36 AM	#2
uncle_handsome Uncle H. is this cartoon Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mississauga, SC (I wish! lol!) Ontario Posts: 797	I'd also like to know how to replace an automatic hub system (if I don't like it) with a manual hub system...

12-28-2004, 12:42 PM	#4
uncle_handsome Uncle H. is this cartoon Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mississauga, SC (I wish! lol!) Ontario Posts: 797	Can the original t-case be modified to have a twin-stick? How much does it cost to put replace the auto-hubs and put in a twin-stick?

12-28-2004, 10:26 PM	#8
special-K Special Order Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mt Airy, MD Posts: 85,862	Just so you know.With hubs free/in 4-lo,you`ll be turning the front driveshaft,differential,axles,axle u-joints,and outer axle stubs inside the spindles,just not engaged at the hub. __________________ "BUILDING A BETTER WAY TO SERVE THE USA"......67/72......"The New Breed" GMC '67 C1500 Wideside Super Custom SWB: 327/M22/3.42 posi.........."The '67" (project) GMC '72 K2500 Wideside Sierra Custom Camper: 350/TH350/4.10 Power-Lok..."The '72" (rolling) Tim "Don't call me a redneck. I'm a rough cut country gentleman" R.I.P. ~ East Side Low Life ~ El Jay ~ 72BLUZ ~ Fasteddie69 ~ Ron586 ~ 67ChevyRedneck ~ Grumpy Old Man ~

12-28-2004, 11:19 PM	#9
Destructo Registered User Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Lewisville, NC Posts: 1,836	You need an NP205 t-case to twin-stick, I don't think they offer a twinstick setup for 203s and 208s. __________________ 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.

12-29-2004, 01:45 AM	#10
blaserman Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: glen burnie md Posts: 447	Hubs I Just Replaced My Hubs With A Set Of Warn's. Only Took Me Total For Both Sides 30 Minutes. (86 K5 Blazer) They Seem Better Then The Factory Set. Just Have To Get Out And Turn Them To Lock First.

12-30-2004, 08:59 AM	#11
special-K Special Order Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mt Airy, MD Posts: 85,862	Yeah,and when you in and out of bad conditions(patchy snow/mostly clear),like drifted over cleared roads,you can lock them in at the house and have "shift-on-fly" 4wd. __________________ "BUILDING A BETTER WAY TO SERVE THE USA"......67/72......"The New Breed" GMC '67 C1500 Wideside Super Custom SWB: 327/M22/3.42 posi.........."The '67" (project) GMC '72 K2500 Wideside Sierra Custom Camper: 350/TH350/4.10 Power-Lok..."The '72" (rolling) Tim "Don't call me a redneck. I'm a rough cut country gentleman" R.I.P. ~ East Side Low Life ~ El Jay ~ 72BLUZ ~ Fasteddie69 ~ Ron586 ~ 67ChevyRedneck ~ Grumpy Old Man ~

01-03-2005, 11:38 PM	#12
yfs200p E.H.F.D Engine #2 Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: East Hampton, NY Long Island Posts: 916	Well, i just ordered a set of Warn hubs, just because my auto hubs only didnt work when i really needed them to pull through. Like on the beach in soft sand for instance... they would work 1/4 mile down the beach then bang, they slip out. Luckily the 33's and posi rear worked in my favor and i got off in 2 wheel. So definitely buy hubs before you go wheeling, especially if you just bought the truck, and arent sure if they work well or not. PS - if you spend the extra $20 and get WARN Premium hubs, you have to make a full 9/10 rotation so you know theyre locked in. unlike most hubs, you only have to turn them 1/4 turn. Just a little cheap insurance if you ask me but its just my $.02 __________________ -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

01-05-2005, 08:29 AM	#13
special-K Special Order Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mt Airy, MD Posts: 85,862	The thing with the auto hubs,even if they work right,is they can`t take serious torque.Sooner or later they`ll let go.Then it gets bad`cause they`ll take-out other parts with them and it can get alot more expensive. __________________ "BUILDING A BETTER WAY TO SERVE THE USA"......67/72......"The New Breed" GMC '67 C1500 Wideside Super Custom SWB: 327/M22/3.42 posi.........."The '67" (project) GMC '72 K2500 Wideside Sierra Custom Camper: 350/TH350/4.10 Power-Lok..."The '72" (rolling) Tim "Don't call me a redneck. I'm a rough cut country gentleman" R.I.P. ~ East Side Low Life ~ El Jay ~ 72BLUZ ~ Fasteddie69 ~ Ron586 ~ 67ChevyRedneck ~ Grumpy Old Man ~



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