Merry Christmas!

 I heard that the company "Posi-Lok" has a way for most newer trucks to engage the t-case which also allows for a "2 LO" driving range. I was wondering if older trucks like the 80-96 Ford F-150 have this ability from the factory. I know a lot (or all) of those trucks had manual engaging front hubs.

Posi-Lok doesn't offer a kit for the 80-96 Ford. Is there a way to get 2wd LO in a 4wd 80-96 Ford F150?

Can older 4wd trucks with part-time 4wd with manual front hub engagement be driven with the t-case in 4 LO and front hubs disengaged, making the truck feel it has a 2wd LO?

Any advice appreciated!

Posi-lok does not engage the t-case. Posi-lok engages the front axle in vehicles equipped with a front "central axle disconnect" system in place of traditional hub disconnect systems.

This product allows 2-lo by putting the transfer case in 4-lo (which engages the front driveshaft), and the driver does not engage the front axle with the posi-lok cable. This is the same concept as obtaining 2-lo in vehicle equipped with manual hubs by putting the t-case in 4-lo but leaving the front hubs un-locked.  

I am not a ford guy, but the old ford I had for beating around the woodlot had automatic hubs on the front, which i took off and put on warn manual hubs, so i could have 2-lo for maneuvering trailers around in tight spots in the woodlot.

Not sure if this helps, but the ford guys in this forum should be able to help you out. Good luck.

How much does it cost to change an automatic hub system to a manual one? That sounds like it might be a good idea. Can you change modern pickups to manual hubs?

I know this might sound dumb, but can a 4x4 with manual hubs have just the right or left front hub engaged, giving you 3 wheel drive; this might be nice for tight corners...

Don't forget my last message, but I also wanted to ask if there's a product like Posi-Lok for 80-96 Fords that have automatic hubs? Posi-Lok doesn't seem to make one.

(If the axles are the same I don't know why they wouldn't work... unless the 97 and newer Fords have different axles)

I didnt forget. The old fords do not use a CANTRAL AXLE DISCONNECT SYSTEM (CAD), Posi-lok makes cable actuators to replace; thermally actuated, electromagnetically actuated, and vaccuum actuated CENTRAL AXLE DISCONNECT SYSTEMS.

Like I said before, CAD systems are a substitute for HUBS. Therefore, no, you cant get a posi lok system for you truck that has HUBS.

Swapping full time hubs for part time hubs usually pretty easy. and is only as expensive as the hubs you buy.

3wd will only work if you have a locker in the front axle, the power will got to un-locked hub 90% of the time if the diff is open.

Manual hubs can only be applied to vehicles that actually came with a hub system, be it a full time or manual hub. Manual hubs cannot be applied to vehicle equipped with a CAD system.

So no, manual hubs cannot be applied to most new vehicles.

Have you even bought a truck yet guy?

Merry Christmas quyonmob!

 No... I haven't bought a truck yet. (I hope that's not anoying you, lol) I read in a book some Fords starting in either the late 80's or by 1990 had an option for "automatic" 4wd. I think this was supposed to allow for shifting "on-the-fly" instead of needing to stop or at least get out. What other kinds of automatic systems exist?

They might have been called "automatic hubs." If it had automatic hubs and I decide I don't like it, can these hubs be changed to manual ones?

This truck I saw has "automatic hubs". Are they electrically, hydraulically, mechanically or vacuum operated. It'd be nice if I could put a switch into the system so I could get 2 LO.  

Most "auto locking" hubs have a spring and gear inside that locks the hubs when torque fro the driven front axle is applied. Most stock "auto hubs" suck and were designed for yuppie wantabes that don't want to get their shoes dirty getting out and locking the front hubs and should be replaced with stronger manual locking hubs that will give you the option of 2WD LO if you want it.  

Guidolyons is right on the auto hubs topic.

The other automatic sytem of actuating a front axle is the Central axle disconnect that I mentioned previosly in this thread.

How do you change auto-hubs to manual ones? Do you have to "bore" out the hub? Besides the cost of new hubs, are there any other costs to consider. It's kinda funny y'all mention it was intended for yuppies who didn't want to get dirty because a truck I was looking at with auto hubs is dirt cheap (from 1990) and looks like a farmer's truck; nothing about the truck looks fancy or luxurious. (I've only seen it in black and white in a Truck Mart magazine) It did look like it was in good shape though...

Bore? No, take off the auto hub, install manual hub.  

So it's easy to install manual hubs? That'd be nice.  

llokaround at adds for hubs or go to some site like 4wheelparts I think hubs go from around 60 to 150 a set depending on what you want

Just about as easy as it gets, just a few bolts, maybe a few allen screws and a snap ring or 2.  

There are plenty of people who don't mind getting dirty that have these hubs.  As was said, they were designed for yuppies.  Many people wound up with them because that's what the truck came with.  I'll be installing a posi-lock on my 93 Chevy 2500 for that reason.  If you look at the new Super Duties from 99 and up you'll see that most have manual hubs instead of the autohub, whereas, 98 and back to I'm not sure when most of the trucks have autohubs.  Thankfully Ford realized that was a gaffe.