Locking to Auto hubs - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

wedgemon · 09-08-2005, 01:35 PM

OK, 1980 K10 Scottsdale - 350/SM(CH)465 & NP205. Corporate front diff with spicer hubs. Could I simply switch hubs from a donor 1983 GMC High Sierra with the automatic locking hubs and have them work on my rig?

Last winter was a PITA on my feet when it snowed!

Appreciate all the help.

- Dave

Beast388 · 09-08-2005, 01:49 PM

You could, but why would you want to?

Most people swap out the autos for manuals. The autos are known for not engaging, not disengaging, and breaking at the most inopportune time.

Mudder · 09-08-2005, 01:59 PM

I think it would be a simple swap but yu will have to keep the autos maintained well.

1969 GMC · 09-08-2005, 03:14 PM

When winter starts...lock your hubs and just shift in and out of 4wd as needed.
When winter is over, unlock.
You won't notice a huge decrease in gas mileage, since you are letting the truck sit and warm up first before driving anyway.
Don't use the auto hubs...they are garbage.

a28doc · 09-08-2005, 03:23 PM

I have autos on my K5 and never have had a problem guess its a matter of opinion
Doc

Blazer1970 · 09-08-2005, 06:15 PM

Those auto locking hubs are junk. Just leave them locked as 1969 GMC has said. This will not cause any problem.

cableguy0 · 09-08-2005, 07:04 PM

aww come on guys auto locking hubs are great at least for me because it pays well to swap em out for manual hubs that actually work when ya need em. auto hubs are junk flat out. there is a conversion for almost every single axle with auto hubs to change em to manuals for a reason

72 CustomCamper · 09-09-2005, 01:42 AM

You will have to check the lock washer between the 2 wheelbearing nuts. On older trucks with manual hubs the washer is round. On trucks with auto hubs the washer looks like an x. You should have everything you need on the 83...

Chuck

**special-K** · 09-09-2005, 07:18 AM

And,you don`t have to lock them in all winter.Just when you feel you may need 4wd,like on days when it snows or when it`s patchy on the road.With hubs in lock you have "shift on fly" at your fingertips.I switched to manual.Autos have been known to fail and cause more damage.I`m sure there`s positive stories,too.

wedgemon · 09-09-2005, 10:33 AM

Thanks! I've had both, I just didn't know if they were interchangeable. Looks like a little more wrenching will let me know.

- Dave

1969 C/K CST · 09-09-2005, 11:30 AM

I have to agree with the manual advice. Economy and piece of mind is worth a little twist of the hub. If your climate is like mine, the winters aren't that long. With the price of gas the manuals are an advantage.

09-08-2005, 01:35 PM	#1
wedgemon Registered User Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Spanish Springs, NV Posts: 1,171	Locking to Auto hubs OK, 1980 K10 Scottsdale - 350/SM(CH)465 & NP205. Corporate front diff with spicer hubs. Could I simply switch hubs from a donor 1983 GMC High Sierra with the automatic locking hubs and have them work on my rig? Last winter was a PITA on my feet when it snowed! Appreciate all the help. - Dave __________________ 2003 Silverado K1500 Z71 - Arrival Blue 1973 K5 Cheyenne Blazer 350/TH350/NP203 Kids Trucks:92 K1500 Blazer 5.7/700R4 4" lift. RETIRED: 1980 Scottsdale 4x4 Founding Member: "TILT WHEEL BELLY." Club

09-08-2005, 01:49 PM	#2
Beast388 Suburbans RULE! Join Date: Jan 2000 Location: Clinton, IA 52732 Posts: 689	You could, but why would you want to? Most people swap out the autos for manuals. The autos are known for not engaging, not disengaging, and breaking at the most inopportune time. __________________ --Ben 71 GMC Suburban 4X4 The "Beast" 388 CID Stroker, TH350, NP205, 8-lug D44, 14BFF w/ Detroit, 4.10:1 gears, 4-Wheel Disks 4" Lift, 35" MT/R's.

09-08-2005, 03:14 PM	#4
1969 GMC Registered User Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: The Rubber City Posts: 5,498	When winter starts...lock your hubs and just shift in and out of 4wd as needed. When winter is over, unlock. You won't notice a huge decrease in gas mileage, since you are letting the truck sit and warm up first before driving anyway. Don't use the auto hubs...they are garbage. __________________ 1969 GMC K2500 1996 Honda Accord 2007 Kawasaki KLR 650

09-08-2005, 03:23 PM	#5
a28doc '87 V20 4x4 Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: South Western Ohio Posts: 1,073	I have autos on my K5 and never have had a problem guess its a matter of opinion Doc __________________ '86 K5 Blazer 4x4 FOR SALE '87 v20 4X4 '99 S10 Blazer 4X4

09-08-2005, 06:15 PM	#6
Blazer1970 Registered User Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Old Mission, MI, USA Posts: 2,507	Those auto locking hubs are junk. Just leave them locked as 1969 GMC has said. This will not cause any problem. __________________ Tim

09-08-2005, 01:59 PM	#3
Mudder Registered User Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: East Central, MO Posts: 11,336	I think it would be a simple swap but yu will have to keep the autos maintained well.

09-08-2005, 07:04 PM	#7
cableguy0 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Delta,Pa Posts: 14,948	aww come on guys auto locking hubs are great at least for me because it pays well to swap em out for manual hubs that actually work when ya need em. auto hubs are junk flat out. there is a conversion for almost every single axle with auto hubs to change em to manuals for a reason __________________ Owner of North Point Car Care in Dundalk Md. We specialize in custom exhaust on both modern and classic vehicles. We are a full service auto shop from classics to modern vehicles. Feel free to contact me with questions. I will give a 10% discount to any board member.

09-09-2005, 01:42 AM	#8
72 CustomCamper huh ??? Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Fredericksburg,Va. Posts: 3,368	You will have to check the lock washer between the 2 wheelbearing nuts. On older trucks with manual hubs the washer is round. On trucks with auto hubs the washer looks like an x. You should have everything you need on the 83... Chuck __________________ 90 Blazer Silverado 350w/ 700R4 and 32" Kelly's "I am a bomb technician. If you see me running try to keep up!"

09-09-2005, 07:18 AM	#9
special-K Special Order Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mt Airy, MD Posts: 85,851	And,you don`t have to lock them in all winter.Just when you feel you may need 4wd,like on days when it snows or when it`s patchy on the road.With hubs in lock you have "shift on fly" at your fingertips.I switched to manual.Autos have been known to fail and cause more damage.I`m sure there`s positive stories,too. __________________ "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 ~

09-09-2005, 10:33 AM	#10
wedgemon Registered User Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Spanish Springs, NV Posts: 1,171	Thanks! I've had both, I just didn't know if they were interchangeable. Looks like a little more wrenching will let me know. - Dave __________________ 2003 Silverado K1500 Z71 - Arrival Blue 1973 K5 Cheyenne Blazer 350/TH350/NP203 Kids Trucks:92 K1500 Blazer 5.7/700R4 4" lift. RETIRED: 1980 Scottsdale 4x4 Founding Member: "TILT WHEEL BELLY." Club

09-09-2005, 11:30 AM	#11
1969 C/K CST A.K.A- Crummy Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: NC foothills Posts: 3,025	I have to agree with the manual advice. Economy and piece of mind is worth a little twist of the hub. If your climate is like mine, the winters aren't that long. With the price of gas the manuals are an advantage. __________________ 2003 Silverado Z71 Are fishermen all liars?



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