Warn Lock-O-Matic Hubs - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

**Stocker** · 10-16-2005, 12:14 PM

Anyone else running these dinosaurs? They were on my '72 when I bought it 28 years ago, and I still love 'em! You can lock 'em in like manuals (positive engagement twist, no springs), or leave 'em in "Free" and they will lock in if you put the TC in 4WD. Wife & I recently cut wood for the first time in years, and it's handy for easing out of those areas where 2WD won't do. I don't think these hubs have been made in many years, and I dunno if parts are available. So far all I've done is grease mine occasionally. If you find a set in a junkyard or yard sale, I would think they are worth snagging.

**special-K** · 10-21-2005, 12:41 PM

I bought some of those in`77.I really liked them,too.I did break them a couple times and was disappointed since they were so expensive and "high-end".What I deduced was that they were great for shift on fly where the snow is patchy on the road or a quick "just to get through" in a bad spot in the woods or loose stones pulling out a steep driveway.But,if I was planning on going off road for some fourwheelin`,they should be locked-in.They could not handle all that torque.The instructions said to lock them in for compression braking,towing,or hauling weight.So I just added "when doing serious off road driving" to the list.That`s probably why they stopped making them.Alot of people were probably turning them in for warranty and not figuring on locking them in for all but the occasional short run.Some small town truck equipment/upfitter places could still have some N.O.S.

al's71gmc · 10-25-2005, 04:55 AM

My son's 72 has these, but I didn't know they worked like this. That's cool. Thanks for the info.
Al

blaserman · 10-26-2005, 02:07 AM

I had put a set on my old 86 and they were only $59 a set. Never had any problems with them. durning the winter I left them locked so I would not have to get out and lock them. Best investment I did on the old lady.

**special-K** · 10-29-2005, 02:36 PM

That`s cheap for Warn Premiums,Which is probably what you had.Were the turn-knobs brass(w/black paint) or plastic?The Lock-O-Matics were brass,too,with red paint.You wouldn`t have to leave them in lock like that.And,in`77 when I bought mine (probably still have reciept) they were $150 or so.I think I still have one good one somewhere up home.

mkmiller1 · 10-29-2005, 10:18 PM

Someone please post a pic of these.
thanks,
Matthew

blaserman · 10-30-2005, 09:32 AM

Mine were not the Premiums, could not find tme when I was replacing mine, but the next year they had them and the auto store that sells them had them for $110.00 a set. I payed 58 for the regular ones.

**Stocker** · 10-31-2005, 01:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by special-K

they were great for shift on fly where the snow is patchy on the road or a quick "just to get through" in a bad spot in the woods or loose stones pulling out a steep driveway.But,if I was planning on going off road for some fourwheelin`,they should be locked-in.They could not handle all that torque.The instructions said to lock them in for compression braking,towing,or hauling weight.So I just added "when doing serious off road driving" to the list.

Pretty much true, though I wouldn't quite call them "shift-on-the-fly", since you need to stop the truck to engage 4WD if the hubs are not locked in - with a 205 TC anyway, maybe not with a 203.

**special-K** · 10-31-2005, 10:43 PM

Oh,Ok.It`s been since`82 that I had that truck.Come to think of it,I can`t remember the truck.Oh yeah,the blue`69.

67-72trucks · 09-26-2011, 09:53 PM

Would like to buy a set of these hubs for my 50th truck.

67-72trucks · 09-26-2011, 10:06 PM

My spid list #04f76aa FRT wheel lock hubs. Did my 68 50th originally come with lock o matic hubs?

**Stocker** · 09-26-2011, 10:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 67-72trucks

My spid list #04f76aa FRT wheel lock hubs. Did my 68 50th originally come with lock o matic hubs?

Good question.... my SPID doesn't show anything at all for front hubs, so I'm pretty sure mine were aftermarket (maybe dealer) installed. No clue if those hubs were available as OEM. Someone here might know.....

67-72trucks · 09-27-2011, 02:35 PM

Take a look at this 68 on Ebay.. Very original. Does have warn lock o matics

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Chevr...5f8180dd#v4-41

**special-K** · 09-27-2011, 03:05 PM

Yes,those are Loc-O-Matics. They were never offered from factory. Back in the '70s these were very expensive,like $70-75@. The factory offered Spicer and they were manual. They were an option. They are actually "un-locking" hubs since the standard set-up was always locked-in and what these offer is the ability to unlock/free wheel.
Here's the set w/spare parts I have:

67-72trucks · 09-27-2011, 04:36 PM

Ok thanks! looking for a set of original spicer hubs for the 50th truck.

**Stocker** · 09-27-2011, 08:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by special-K

Here's the set w/spare parts I have:

Note to self: Tim has spares....

BLAZERMAN · 09-28-2011, 12:54 AM

Theres a reason that fire truck has aftermarket hubs with only 5,000 miles on the clock! Those early Spicer hubs are prone to breaking. Ive had several sets and probably still have some parts for them somwhere. Unless your doing a 100% restoration I would go with a set of Lock O Matics or Warn 9072s You would still get that period correct look and a much better lockout.

**special-K** · 09-28-2011, 09:16 AM

I agree. In fact,a correct restoration on your truck would mean no lock out hubs. And,more likely than not,the original owner or anyone after would most likely have bought aftermarkets like Warn,Selectro,or Dualmatic hubs,all of which were from that period. Many people seem to be swapping to later axles for disc brakes,tighter steering radius,p/s,etc so the original hubs should be fairly easy to come across,since the resale on the entire axle assembly is pretty poor.

67-72trucks · 09-28-2011, 10:00 AM

My spid list #04f76aa FRT wheel lock hubs. Just want to do a 100% correction restoration on it.

stevenbren · 04-01-2012, 11:12 AM

First time to attach pic hope it works. I Have a 68 k-10 with dualomatic hubs one of the internal collars is broke need replacement or how to upgrade.

BLAZERMAN · 04-01-2012, 12:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stevenbren

First time to attach pic hope it works. I Have a 68 k-10 with dualomatic hubs one of the internal collars is broke need replacement or how to upgrade.

Can you post a pic of the broken collar?

stevenbren · 04-01-2012, 07:49 PM

Hope this helps the broken collar (two pieces) slides over the gear (right) it is attached to the dial via 3 small screws and the dial is attached to the hub via the other 3 small screws.
thanks

BLAZERMAN · 04-02-2012, 08:14 AM

I'll check and see if I have one.
Posted via Mobile Device

stevenbren · 04-02-2012, 12:22 PM

Thanks for checking either way it goes

hkopp · 12-15-2015, 01:44 PM

Ooooold post but I was trying to find out about these hubs as I have a set on my 60. I too had that same broken part, after looking for a year I found a few and bought all of them. So are they decent hubs, or should I upgrade them? Also, I have the front hubs that are capped so they are always engaged...are those ever sought out or worth their weight as scrap?

10-16-2005, 12:14 PM	#1
Stocker 20' Daredevil (Ret) Join Date: May 2003 Location: Jefferson State Posts: 13,567	Warn Lock-O-Matic Hubs Anyone else running these dinosaurs? They were on my '72 when I bought it 28 years ago, and I still love 'em! You can lock 'em in like manuals (positive engagement twist, no springs), or leave 'em in "Free" and they will lock in if you put the TC in 4WD. Wife & I recently cut wood for the first time in years, and it's handy for easing out of those areas where 2WD won't do. I don't think these hubs have been made in many years, and I dunno if parts are available. So far all I've done is grease mine occasionally. If you find a set in a junkyard or yard sale, I would think they are worth snagging. __________________ - Mike - 1972 K20 LWB 350/350/205 RIP El Jay

10-21-2005, 12:41 PM	#2
special-K Special Order Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mt Airy, MD Posts: 85,862	Re: Warn Lock-O-Matic Hubs I bought some of those in`77.I really liked them,too.I did break them a couple times and was disappointed since they were so expensive and "high-end".What I deduced was that they were great for shift on fly where the snow is patchy on the road or a quick "just to get through" in a bad spot in the woods or loose stones pulling out a steep driveway.But,if I was planning on going off road for some fourwheelin`,they should be locked-in.They could not handle all that torque.The instructions said to lock them in for compression braking,towing,or hauling weight.So I just added "when doing serious off road driving" to the list.That`s probably why they stopped making them.Alot of people were probably turning them in for warranty and not figuring on locking them in for all but the occasional short run.Some small town truck equipment/upfitter places could still have some N.O.S. __________________ "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 ~

10-25-2005, 04:55 AM	#3
al's71gmc 4 eyed fever Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Eureka, Nevada Posts: 500	Re: Warn Lock-O-Matic Hubs My son's 72 has these, but I didn't know they worked like this. That's cool. Thanks for the info. Al __________________ 1971 GMC 2500 4x4 1972 GMC Sierra Grande 1/2 t 4x4-#1 son's truck. Recently completed resto. 4 YO daughter," Daddy, I like your truck better than Mom's." (2000 F350-ranch truck) Smart kid!!

10-26-2005, 02:07 AM	#4
blaserman Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: glen burnie md Posts: 447	Re: Warn Lock-O-Matic Hubs I had put a set on my old 86 and they were only $59 a set. Never had any problems with them. durning the winter I left them locked so I would not have to get out and lock them. Best investment I did on the old lady. __________________ This is my best friend

10-29-2005, 02:36 PM	#5
special-K Special Order Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mt Airy, MD Posts: 85,862	Re: Warn Lock-O-Matic Hubs That`s cheap for Warn Premiums,Which is probably what you had.Were the turn-knobs brass(w/black paint) or plastic?The Lock-O-Matics were brass,too,with red paint.You wouldn`t have to leave them in lock like that.And,in`77 when I bought mine (probably still have reciept) they were $150 or so.I think I still have one good one somewhere up home. __________________ "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 ~ Last edited by special-K; 04-03-2012 at 11:22 AM.

10-29-2005, 10:18 PM	#6
mkmiller1 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Magnolia, Arkansas Posts: 1,091	Re: Warn Lock-O-Matic Hubs Someone please post a pic of these. thanks, Matthew __________________ GOD is good...All the time! '71 swb custom10 barn find-68K original miles 72 K5 CST rust bucket, but runs and drives 84K miles

10-30-2005, 09:32 AM	#7
blaserman Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: glen burnie md Posts: 447	Re: Warn Lock-O-Matic Hubs Mine were not the Premiums, could not find tme when I was replacing mine, but the next year they had them and the auto store that sells them had them for $110.00 a set. I payed 58 for the regular ones. __________________ This is my best friend

10-31-2005, 10:43 PM	#9
special-K Special Order Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mt Airy, MD Posts: 85,862	Re: Warn Lock-O-Matic Hubs Oh,Ok.It`s been since`82 that I had that truck.Come to think of it,I can`t remember the truck.Oh yeah,the blue`69. __________________ "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 ~

09-26-2011, 09:53 PM	#10
67-72trucks Registered User Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Michigan Posts: 530	Re: Warn Lock-O-Matic Hubs Would like to buy a set of these hubs for my 50th truck.

09-26-2011, 10:06 PM	#11
67-72trucks Registered User Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Michigan Posts: 530	Re: Warn Lock-O-Matic Hubs My spid list #04f76aa FRT wheel lock hubs. Did my 68 50th originally come with lock o matic hubs?

09-27-2011, 02:35 PM	#13
67-72trucks Registered User Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Michigan Posts: 530	Re: Warn Lock-O-Matic Hubs Take a look at this 68 on Ebay.. Very original. Does have warn lock o matics http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Chevr...5f8180dd#v4-41

09-27-2011, 03:05 PM	#14
special-K Special Order Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mt Airy, MD Posts: 85,862	Re: Warn Lock-O-Matic Hubs Yes,those are Loc-O-Matics. They were never offered from factory. Back in the '70s these were very expensive,like $70-75@. The factory offered Spicer and they were manual. They were an option. They are actually "un-locking" hubs since the standard set-up was always locked-in and what these offer is the ability to unlock/free wheel. Here's the set w/spare parts I have: Attached Images __________________ "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 ~

09-27-2011, 04:36 PM	#15
67-72trucks Registered User Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Michigan Posts: 530	Re: Warn Lock-O-Matic Hubs Ok thanks! looking for a set of original spicer hubs for the 50th truck. Attached Images

09-28-2011, 12:54 AM	#17
BLAZERMAN Currently Blazerless Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: St. Joseph Mo. Posts: 4,826	Re: Warn Lock-O-Matic Hubs Theres a reason that fire truck has aftermarket hubs with only 5,000 miles on the clock! Those early Spicer hubs are prone to breaking. Ive had several sets and probably still have some parts for them somwhere. Unless your doing a 100% restoration I would go with a set of Lock O Matics or Warn 9072s You would still get that period correct look and a much better lockout. __________________ 1972 C/30 133" W.B. C&C 1970 GMC 3500 157" W.B. single wheel C&C

09-28-2011, 09:16 AM	#18
special-K Special Order Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mt Airy, MD Posts: 85,862	Re: Warn Lock-O-Matic Hubs I agree. In fact,a correct restoration on your truck would mean no lock out hubs. And,more likely than not,the original owner or anyone after would most likely have bought aftermarkets like Warn,Selectro,or Dualmatic hubs,all of which were from that period. Many people seem to be swapping to later axles for disc brakes,tighter steering radius,p/s,etc so the original hubs should be fairly easy to come across,since the resale on the entire axle assembly is pretty poor. __________________ "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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09-28-2011, 10:00 AM	#19
67-72trucks Registered User Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Michigan Posts: 530	Re: Warn Lock-O-Matic Hubs My spid list #04f76aa FRT wheel lock hubs. Just want to do a 100% correction restoration on it.

04-01-2012, 11:12 AM	#20
stevenbren Registered User Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Pueblo West Posts: 8	Re: Warn Lock-O-Matic Hubs First time to attach pic hope it works. I Have a 68 k-10 with dualomatic hubs one of the internal collars is broke need replacement or how to upgrade. Attached Images Last edited by stevenbren; 04-01-2012 at 11:15 AM. Reason: dont see attachment

04-01-2012, 07:49 PM	#22
stevenbren Registered User Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Pueblo West Posts: 8	Re: Warn Lock-O-Matic Hubs Hope this helps the broken collar (two pieces) slides over the gear (right) it is attached to the dial via 3 small screws and the dial is attached to the hub via the other 3 small screws. thanks Attached Images

04-02-2012, 08:14 AM	#23
BLAZERMAN Currently Blazerless Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: St. Joseph Mo. Posts: 4,826	Re: Warn Lock-O-Matic Hubs I'll check and see if I have one. Posted via Mobile Device __________________ 1972 C/30 133" W.B. C&C 1970 GMC 3500 157" W.B. single wheel C&C

04-02-2012, 12:22 PM	#24
stevenbren Registered User Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Pueblo West Posts: 8	Re: Warn Lock-O-Matic Hubs Thanks for checking either way it goes

12-15-2015, 01:44 PM	#25
hkopp Registered User Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: Nampa Idaho Posts: 68	Re: Warn Lock-O-Matic Hubs Ooooold post but I was trying to find out about these hubs as I have a set on my 60. I too had that same broken part, after looking for a year I found a few and bought all of them. So are they decent hubs, or should I upgrade them? Also, I have the front hubs that are capped so they are always engaged...are those ever sought out or worth their weight as scrap?

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