Are locking hubs factory or personal add on?

[Nasty-LSX]

I'm still new to playing with 4x4's, but I ask because I remember my k20 came with locking hubs before I replaced them with warn hubs. The k10 just has caps on the end of the hubs. Got me thinking if they are aftermarket add on's. Thanks

You must be registered for see images attach

You must be registered for see images attach

You must be registered for see images attach

 

[Jgonick]

auto locking hubs are factory- at least mine are.

Edited to fix image size

 

[vr1967]

Main thing about automatic hubs is, don’t put too much grease in them, just need a small amount. I think overgreasing them is the reason they got such a bad name.

 

[Bextreme04]

There are permanently locked, manually locking, and then auto locking hubs. A standard 4x4 would have manually locking hubs as standard with an NP205, NP208, or NP241 depending on year and GVWR. Auto locking was an optional RPO for those transfer cases.

Permanently locked hubs only came on 4x4 with the full-time 4wd RPO option and they had an NP203 equipped. Lots of people swapped the slug out for Manually locking hubs on those trucks and converted to part-time 4wd.

 

[Nasty-LSX]

Thanks for the info. Ill check tomorrow to see what T/C I have. I thought it would be a 208.

 

[nvrenuf]

It should be a 208 tcase. The 241 was 89-91(iirc) and the 205 was only in 1 tons for 81+.

As far as manual vs auto locking hubs, for 81+ (all series) the manuals were base and auto locking hubs were an option.

Conversely, my understanding is that for most (if not all) 73-79 full time (which used solid drive slugs) was standard equipment with manual hubs being an option. I believe the sales pitch was convenience because you didn’t have to get out to lock the hubs.

Trivia, you could get a 1 ton with auto locking hubs and a synchronized 205 from 82-84.

 

[CalSgt]

Here’s what the factory Spicer manual hubs look like. Not sure if there’s any difference in the ’81 & newer models

You must be registered for see images attach

 

[Nasty-LSX]

Ok thanks all, so do I want to put the WARN manual locking hubs Like my K20? Is this a better option?
I dont care if I have to get out the truck to lock the hub.

 

[nvrenuf]

Here’s what the factory Spicer manual hubs look like. Not sure if there’s any difference in the ’81 & newer models

You must be registered for see images attach

Around 81-82 GM started using an unmarked Warn hub.

@Nasty-LSX it depends on how you’ll use it really. If you’re not going to beat on it hard a set of Warn hubs will be fine. If it’s going to be wheeled or beat on hard I’d suggest Yukon Hardcore hubs or used Spicers.

 

[Nasty-LSX]

Cool, Warn Premium it is!

 

[Doppleganger]

My K10 had the 4x4 full time caps - my K20 had the lockouts. When it arrived, it had the lower line Warn hubs and were whipped. Alot of plastic parts I wasn't too thrilled with either.

You must be registered for see images attach

I replaced them with the premium line and love them. Can tell they are better built by the weight alone. All metal.

You must be registered for see images attach

 

[Nasty-LSX]

My K10 had the 4x4 full time caps - my K20 had the lockouts. When it arrived, it had the lower line Warn hubs and were whipped. Alot of plastic parts I wasn't too thrilled with either.

You must be registered for see images attach

I replaced them with the premium line and love them. Can tell they are better built by the weight alone. All metal.

You must be registered for see images attach

This is what I put on the K20. Its been a few years and they are not even faded. the quality is excellent.

 

[vr1967]

They even made auto hubs for the Dana 60 after 81. Here is a NOS set I have (one has a Ford cover, but other than that, they are the same)

You must be registered for see images attach

And from the 1981 pickup brochure

You must be registered for see images attach

 

[AuroraGirl]

It should be a 208 tcase. The 241 was 89-91(iirc) and the 205 was only in 1 tons for 81+.

As far as manual vs auto locking hubs, for 81+ (all series) the manuals were base and auto locking hubs were an option.

Conversely, my understanding is that for most (if not all) 73-79 full time (which used solid drive slugs) was standard equipment with manual hubs being an option. I believe the sales pitch was convenience because you didn’t have to get out to lock the hubs.

Trivia, you could get a 1 ton with auto locking hubs and a synchronized 205 from 82-84.

The only trucks that didnt get the slugs in the early years were the manual transmissions i believe

You must be registered for see images attach

You must be registered for see images attach

You must be registered for see images attach

You must be registered for see images attach

You must be registered for see images attach

so nevermind, the manual/auto thing is not true all around, and the 1973 year you could have free wheeling hubs (np205) in a 3/4 but not in 1974. Weirdddd. Then it went to the 6 cylinders only having the option for the np205, but it was presumably standard to be np203
But a 1974 jimmy COULD NOT have an inline 6 with np203

 

[AuroraGirl]

You must be registered for see images attach

You must be registered for see images attach

suburbans could have it

THEN you get 1975!
Gmc six cylinder trucks (base engine) could come with non-manual locking hubs AND a part-time t case? so all the negatives of the np203 with the selectable nature of the np205... lol. But im guessing that wasnt a common choice.

You must be registered for see images attach

1976 spells it out as manual only

You must be registered for see images attach

1981 chevy ad:

You must be registered for see images attach