Mechanical locking 4x4 over automatic

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Xlargetophat

Member
Apr 19, 2025
24
7
North county
Mud, rust, or worn parts inside the hub: These are the most common culprits preventing the internal mechanism from sliding and locking the hub. According to SPELAB, this can happen due to lack of maintenance, exposure to the elements, or simply wear and tear over time. You might not even realize there's an issue until you need 4WD and the front wheels don't engage. You might also hear grinding noises when shifting into 4WD if there's a problem with the hubs or other drivetrain components.

I wish it to be manual. Get out and turn 4x4...a problem always occurs with automatic engagement.

While automatic locking hubs offer convenience, some enthusiasts may find manual locking hubs offer a greater level of control and durability in extreme off-road situations, as they aren't susceptible to potential issues like mud or rust interfering with the automatic engagement mechanism. However, the Scout Terra's inclusion of front and rear mechanical locking differentials, along with its overall rugged design and features, suggests it's engineered for serious off-road capability.
 
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Mud, rust, or worn parts inside the hub: These are the most common culprits preventing the internal mechanism from sliding and locking the hub. According to SPELAB, this can happen due to lack of maintenance, exposure to the elements, or simply wear and tear over time. You might not even realize there's an issue until you need 4WD and the front wheels don't engage. You might also hear grinding noises when shifting into 4WD if there's a problem with the hubs or other drivetrain components.

Less is more. I wish this could be true. Get out and turn 4x4...a problem always occurs with automatic engagement.
Welcome to the community.
 
Mud, rust, or worn parts inside the hub: These are the most common culprits preventing the internal mechanism from sliding and locking the hub. According to SPELAB, this can happen due to lack of maintenance, exposure to the elements, or simply wear and tear over time. You might not even realize there's an issue until you need 4WD and the front wheels don't engage. You might also hear grinding noises when shifting into 4WD if there's a problem with the hubs or other drivetrain components.

I wish it to be manual. Get out and turn 4x4...a problem always occurs with automatic engagement.

While automatic locking hubs offer convenience, some enthusiasts may find manual locking hubs offer a greater level of control and durability in extreme off-road situations, as they aren't susceptible to potential issues like mud or rust interfering with the automatic engagement mechanism. However, the Scout Terra's inclusion of front and rear mechanical locking differentials, along with its overall rugged design and features, suggests it's engineered for serious off-road capability.
Hmm. Manual hubs are exposed to the elements and aren't foolproof either. Lack of maintenance and wear and tear affects everything over time, not just automatic locking hubs. There are segments of your post which seem like they are generated by AI.
 
Mud, rust, or worn parts inside the hub: These are the most common culprits preventing the internal mechanism from sliding and locking the hub. According to SPELAB, this can happen due to lack of maintenance, exposure to the elements, or simply wear and tear over time. You might not even realize there's an issue until you need 4WD and the front wheels don't engage. You might also hear grinding noises when shifting into 4WD if there's a problem with the hubs or other drivetrain components.

I wish it to be manual. Get out and turn 4x4...a problem always occurs with automatic engagement.

While automatic locking hubs offer convenience, some enthusiasts may find manual locking hubs offer a greater level of control and durability in extreme off-road situations, as they aren't susceptible to potential issues like mud or rust interfering with the automatic engagement mechanism. However, the Scout Terra's inclusion of front and rear mechanical locking differentials, along with its overall rugged design and features, suggests it's engineered for serious off-road capability.
Welcome
 
Yes. I used Google AI. I was fiddling around.. asking about manual locking hubs. My neighbor brags about the ones he put on his Ford ranger. He says it's the best. Can't trust anything else..,

International harvester of old had manual, not sissy boy auto.
 
Yes. I used Google AI. I was fiddling around.. asking about manual locking hubs. My neighbor brags about the ones he put on his Ford ranger. He says it's the best. Can't trust anything else..,

International harvester of old had manual, not sissy boy auto.
At this point we don’t have any specifics about that yet. I have a motto I keep using on here. Faith and patience. Scout hasn’t let me down yet so I have faith, and this is another thing where we just have to have patience. So faith and patience and they will let us know when they are ready.

Again, welcome to the community.
 
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I guess this may not be the vehicle for you then. Sorry to hear that was your make or break item. I’m sure the majority of buyers will appreciate the automatic approach.
it's something that could be a positive thing for Scout. Let the automatic approach go to broncos.. it would be another problem for them. With no dealership, Scout would be smart to go manual. People rarely use 4x4, and rarely want to repair a breakdown. It's a math problem advantage for manual.
 
Exactly. International harvester was suppose to be be better than that.
Luckily International Harvester isn't building our Scouts. You can't build a car company for the 5 people in the world that want manual hubs. Those things went away for non-Baja 1000 vehicles in like 1986. In 2025 I expect the vehicle to do whatever it needs to do in order to get me to my destination. If a wheel slips for any reason I want it dealt with by sending power automatically to wherever there is traction. The LAST thing I want to do if the weather is bad is stop and get out of my truck to lock the hubs.

While we're on the subject of "older is better" should Scout use bias ply tires too? How about drum brakes? What about fuel injection? That's for sissy boys. I love having to coax a carbureted engine to life on a cold morning and stopping to adjust the jetting when traveling to the mountains. What about the starter? Who needs it? They should chuck that stupid, heavy, unreliable starter and just put a handle on the crankshaft. Can't trust anything else....

My question to you is, what do you want from a new Scout that you can't get from an old one? It sounds like the original checks all the boxes for you and the new one is apparently missing some things. I suggest you find an old one and live happily ever after.
 
I ask this, which current calendar-year trucks and SUV's from the major OEM's offer manual locking hubs?

The last truck I had that had manual locking hubs was my first ever truck back in the 90's... Technology has come a long way since then.

And, Scout hasn't "failed the tests" yet since they haven't done any production tests yet!
 
Luckily International Harvester isn't building our Scouts. You can't build a car company for the 5 people in the world that want manual hubs. Those things went away for non-Baja 1000 vehicles in like 1986. In 2025 I expect the vehicle to do whatever it needs to do in order to get me to my destination. If a wheel slips for any reason I want it dealt with by sending power automatically to wherever there is traction. The LAST thing I want to do if the weather is bad is stop and get out of my truck to lock the hubs.

While we're on the subject of "older is better" should Scout use bias ply tires too? How about drum brakes? What about fuel injection? That's for sissy boys. I love having to coax a carbureted engine to life on a cold morning and stopping to adjust the jetting when traveling to the mountains. What about the starter? Who needs it? They should chuck that stupid, heavy, unreliable starter and just put a handle on the crankshaft. Can't trust anything else....

My question to you is, what do you want from a new Scout that you can't get from an old one? It sounds like the original checks all the boxes for you and the new one is apparently missing some things. I suggest you find an old one and live happily ever after.
I believe the standard for a tough reliable, long lasting EV has not converged on an ideal yet. Manual locking hubs on an EV, I believe would be part of this build. Slate has manual windows.. some frunks don't have auto lift.

I think manual cuts cost and less points of failure. Now days people buy trucks for a status symbol, A base truck offering would be nice and actually try to make it last as long as the battery 🔋.

4x4 is used seldomly, a guy should be able to get out and lock the hubs.
 
I believe the standard for a tough reliable, long lasting EV has not converged on an ideal yet. Manual locking hubs on an EV, I believe would be part of this build. Slate has manual windows.. some frunks don't have auto lift.

I think manual cuts cost and less points of failure. Now days people buy trucks for a status symbol, A base truck offering would be nice and actually try to make it last as long as the battery 🔋.

4x4 is used seldomly, a guy should be able to get out and lock the hubs.
Okay well I have a question. Let’s say the current Scout Traveler/Terra model was what it looks like now but it had manual lockers, would you buy one?
 
I believe the standard for a tough reliable, long lasting EV has not converged on an ideal yet. Manual locking hubs on an EV, I believe would be part of this build. Slate has manual windows.. some frunks don't have auto lift.

I think manual cuts cost and less points of failure. Now days people buy trucks for a status symbol, A base truck offering would be nice and actually try to make it last as long as the battery 🔋.

4x4 is used seldomly, a guy should be able to get out and lock the hubs.

The global AWD, 4WD market size was estimated at 38.19 billion in 2023 and is anticipated to grow another 9% by 2030. Your estimate may be a little off.
 
I believe the standard for a tough reliable, long lasting EV has not converged on an ideal yet. Manual locking hubs on an EV, I believe would be part of this build. Slate has manual windows.. some frunks don't have auto lift.

I think manual cuts cost and less points of failure. Now days people buy trucks for a status symbol, A base truck offering would be nice and actually try to make it last as long as the battery 🔋.

4x4 is used seldomly, a guy should be able to get out and lock the hubs.
Respectfully, a guy, woman or anyone else driving should be able to stay in the vehicle and push one of the tactile buttons and never have to step out in the inclement weather I’ll gladly buy into your argument if you have some facts stating the fail rate of auto hubs vs manual locking hubs-otherwise I’ll take my chances on auto hubs and call AAA if it gets too hairy. Auto allows the various modes to be a flip of a button to accomplish ‘said’ task. Snow mode, sand mode, etc. ease and simplicity. I’m guessing 65% or more of Scout buyers don’t even know how to manually lock their hubs nor should they really-considering auto hubs are readily available and used. But just MHO
 
I believe the standard for a tough reliable, long lasting EV has not converged on an ideal yet. Manual locking hubs on an EV, I believe would be part of this build. Slate has manual windows.. some frunks don't have auto lift.

I think manual cuts cost and less points of failure. Now days people buy trucks for a status symbol, A base truck offering would be nice and actually try to make it last as long as the battery 🔋.

4x4 is used seldomly, a guy should be able to get out and lock the hubs.
I am sorry but you are in the tiniest of tiny minorities. Furthermore, I don't think your statement about cutting costs and lessening points of failure is correct. The whole idea of having wheel hubs that lock and unlock is seldom used nowadays, and never to my knowledge in an EV. On "modern" vehicles (Ford being an exception in the F250 and F350) the wheel hubs are always locked. There literally is no lock/unlock mechanism. Torque is controlled through the center and axle diffs (different manufacturers have different ways of doing it).

You say that 4x4 is used seldomly. You must not live where it snows or ices. It is common here during the winter to be driving along on a wet road and then suddenly encounter decreased traction due to patchy snow/slush/ice. With manual hubs you are screwed at that point. Your 4x4 isn't able to help. Why not have the option of driving any of 4 wheels at any time?
 
The global AWD, 4WD market size was estimated at 38.19 billion in 2023 and is anticipated to grow another 9% by 2030. Your estimate may be a little off.
Yes cyrue.

Everyone knows 4x4 is kind of a gimmick. They want to sell you the idea.. they've been selling the idea for decades. There are many articles and data on the subject. A real farm truck is 2wheel drive with a tough frame and truck bed.. stake pockets to heighten the carry capacity with wood frames. No bells and whistles to repair. More time to farm than repair is the idea. I' love a base model that's stripped down but I'm still excited for the Terra.. buttons, bench seat.. big rear window.


I think Terra has to placate the general public to compete.. which is frustrating because the true farm truck is in their grasp. Also a trap door in the bed for the fuel pump to be replaced when it fails is a good farm truck ideal. Not a cooler for alcoholics. They use to have a fuel pump behind the driver's seat in ICE.. but ruled unsafe.. so now it's an expensive labor intensive job on most vehicles with special wrench. The costs of labor add up if the farming shade tree mechanic has to put up with mouse traps of repairs. Mechanic vs engineer. Will there be a jack that comes with the truck? Looks heavy.