24th Jul 2002, 09:23

Auto locking hubs were never designed as tough as manual locking hubs. They're more costly to replace and are likely to break again and again depending on the type of conditions you drive in, whether you get stuck and have to work your way out of a snow drifts, mud etc. If you'd like 4WD back without the high cost and the high risk breaking again, go with manual. By the way, this applies to any 4WD truck, not just Toyota.

I've had both types of trucks and the auto locking is great for convenience, but that didn't seem all that important when I broke my hubs in the middle of a snow storm and had to be inconvenienced in more ways than one!

Good Luck!

16th Oct 2002, 17:08

You're better off getting manual hubs, they may be a little bit more of a pain, but it's definitly worth it, stick with Toyota though, if you want 4 wheel drive. I have an 1986 4 runner with 270,000 original miles on it, and I have only had to do little things to it. You just got a dud of a truck there...sorry...but stay with Toyota they will pull through for you, and you need to find somebody who does cheaper mechanic work...

Wheelin' chick of the year.

15th Feb 2003, 06:14

The auto locking hubs on the Toyota are one of the weakest pieces on the whole vehicle. I have an 86 4runner, with 230,000 miles on it, and I've only had to do the basic maintenance and replace the hubs. I found detailed instructions on how to switch from the auto hubs to manual locking hubs on a web site, and learned that the auto hubs disengage in reverse after a quarter turn. If you do any four wheeling (mud, snow, rocks, etc) you know the importance of four wheel drive in both forward and reverse. I highly recommend switching to manual locking hubs. The reliability and the gaining of two wheel low (low gear on the transfer case with the hubs unlocked) far outweigh the convenience of auto hubs.

4th May 2003, 21:06

All of the things being said here are very true about the automatic hubs. Automatic hubs were only intended for minor use. An automatic hub also works like a limited slip differential. You may not always have both front tires spinning, and yes your automatic hubs will disengage in reverse with the shifter still in four wheel drive. That goes for any make of automatic hubs.

I would definitley go for a set of manual hubs. You could even look for a wrecked 4runner with manual hubs. You will be very pleased with them and will not finding yourself struggling on the trail with them. Just remember to get out and lock them before you hit the mud, and carry a set of gloves to wear when unlocking them.

Happy Wheelin'

TK.