Automatic 4x4 Hubs - Infamous Nissan

normmus · 02-23-2019, 06:09 PM

My 1988 D21 4x4 has automatic hubs. How do these work? Are they reliable? I'm a bit concerned with reliability.

Is it possible to just swap them out with manual hubs?

dvdswan · 02-23-2019, 07:56 PM

Auto hubs are good when they work. They need regular maintenance, clean and lube. To swap to manual hubs you just remove the 6 screws and pull out the auto hub and then install the manual ones. It can be done with the wheels on but it will be easier with them off.

OldGreyBeast · 02-24-2019, 04:17 PM

I had the auto hubs on mine when I bought it and they broke in short order. One of mine got to where it would try to engage while I was going down the highway at speed. It would make this absolutely horrible noise.I've had Warn manual hubs on mine for the last 5 years or so and I've been much happier with those. I hear the mile Marker ones are fine as well.

ThermiteBasedToys · 03-28-2019, 09:46 PM

I've never seen auto hubs work on these trucks. My experience is limited though maybe the harsh AZ desert sand is what makes them deteriorate fast here.

Also as a side note on my truck the instructions on how to use the auto hubs are beneath the driver side sun visor. If you give me some time I could take a pic when I'm out of work.

donaldebrown · 02-11-2020, 10:26 PM

Has anyone swapped in drive flanges and eliminated the hubs all together?

Deerhurst · 02-11-2020, 11:32 PM

Not worth the extra wear on the drivetrain.

Foul_Mouth · 02-11-2020, 11:35 PM

I swapped in manual hubs on my project. 6 bolts and a snap ring each side and done.

sdfp45 · 02-13-2020, 03:13 AM

The autos are junk. Never got them to work reliably. Switched over to a pair of factory manual hubs and have been happy ever since.

Scott

Deerhurst · 02-13-2020, 04:00 AM

Where did you find factory manual hubs for the V6? I was under the impression all V6 trucks had auto hubs.

sdfp45 · 02-22-2020, 07:28 PM

Junkyard. Pulled off a 4 banger.

All V6's came with autos as far as I'm aware. Autos and manuals, v6 to z24 all have same spline counts so swap directly over. There was a spline change in 90 I think, so early trucks need early hubs and visa versa. Early hubs have 27 splines while later ones have 28.

Scott

02-23-2019, 06:09 PM	#1
normmus Join Date: Feb 2019 Location: SK Posts: 8 Vehicle: 88 D21, 75 620, 52 M37 Thanks: 3 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	Automatic 4x4 Hubs My 1988 D21 4x4 has automatic hubs. How do these work? Are they reliable? I'm a bit concerned with reliability. Is it possible to just swap them out with manual hubs?

02-23-2019, 07:56 PM	#2
dvdswan Super Moderator Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Port Orchard, WA Posts: 5,003 Vehicle: 96 HB Thanks: 160 Thanked 700 Times in 619 Posts	Auto hubs are good when they work. They need regular maintenance, clean and lube. To swap to manual hubs you just remove the 6 screws and pull out the auto hub and then install the manual ones. It can be done with the wheels on but it will be easier with them off. __________________ Dave 96 HB XE SAS'd D44 3-link on 35s http://www.cardomain.com/ride/2618002

02-24-2019, 04:17 PM	#3
OldGreyBeast 1986.5 HB 4x4 3.0V6 Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: North AL Age: 32 Posts: 3,868 Vehicle: 1986.5 Nissan D21, 1987 Mercedes 190D Turbo, 2010 Mercedes E350 AWD, 2017 Honda CBR500R Thanks: 364 Thanked 471 Times in 411 Posts	I had the auto hubs on mine when I bought it and they broke in short order. One of mine got to where it would try to engage while I was going down the highway at speed. It would make this absolutely horrible noise.I've had Warn manual hubs on mine for the last 5 years or so and I've been much happier with those. I hear the mile Marker ones are fine as well. __________________ Build log for the Beast - https://beastbuildlog.blogspot.com - Last Updated 18 OCT 2016 1986.5 FSM GI section - https://imgur.com/gallery/mjT18bV

02-11-2020, 11:32 PM	#6
Deerhurst 4/86 SE-V6 2 tone 4x4 HB Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Oregon Posts: 6,661 Vehicle: 1986.5 Hardbody Thanks: 855 Thanked 756 Times in 689 Posts	Not worth the extra wear on the drivetrain. __________________ 1986.5 SE-V6 4X4 D21 Hardbody Pacesetter Long Tube Headers Morimoto Mini D2S HID Projectors and Hella 500s VG33i

02-11-2020, 11:35 PM	#7
Foul_Mouth Pounding Rox Truck Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Western NY Posts: 4,625 Vehicle: 1986.5 4WD Reg Cab/ 1991 2WD Reg Cab(Red)/ 1995 2WD Reg Cab(Green)/ 92 WD21 4WD PathFinder Thanks: 531 Thanked 799 Times in 637 Posts	I swapped in manual hubs on my project. 6 bolts and a snap ring each side and done. __________________ Nissan Truck Videos (Builds-Racing-Shows-Tech) https://www.youtube.com/c/NissanTruckguy IG@ rainmaker_d21

03-28-2019, 09:46 PM	#4
ThermiteBasedToys Join Date: Jun 2018 Location: Lynnwood, WA Age: 25 Posts: 81 Vehicle: 92 D21 V6 5spd 4x4 SE King Cab Thanks: 45 Thanked 7 Times in 5 Posts	I've never seen auto hubs work on these trucks. My experience is limited though maybe the harsh AZ desert sand is what makes them deteriorate fast here. Also as a side note on my truck the instructions on how to use the auto hubs are beneath the driver side sun visor. If you give me some time I could take a pic when I'm out of work.

02-11-2020, 10:26 PM	#5
donaldebrown Join Date: Feb 2020 Location: Mississippi Posts: 1 Vehicle: Nissan Pick-up 1995 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Has anyone swapped in drive flanges and eliminated the hubs all together?

02-13-2020, 03:13 AM	#8
sdfp45 Join Date: Dec 2019 Location: california Posts: 25 Vehicle: 86 Nissan D21 Thanks: 0 Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts	The autos are junk. Never got them to work reliably. Switched over to a pair of factory manual hubs and have been happy ever since. Scott __________________ 86.5 D21 SE-V6 KC 4x4 500k mls VG33i, Thorley Headers, Russ Cam Gears Rear Discs and LSD, ARB Front, 21 gal fuel tank 86.5 D21 Z24i Longbed - all stock 220k mls

02-13-2020, 04:00 AM	#9
Deerhurst 4/86 SE-V6 2 tone 4x4 HB Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Oregon Posts: 6,661 Vehicle: 1986.5 Hardbody Thanks: 855 Thanked 756 Times in 689 Posts	Where did you find factory manual hubs for the V6? I was under the impression all V6 trucks had auto hubs. __________________ 1986.5 SE-V6 4X4 D21 Hardbody Pacesetter Long Tube Headers Morimoto Mini D2S HID Projectors and Hella 500s VG33i

02-22-2020, 07:28 PM	#10
sdfp45 Join Date: Dec 2019 Location: california Posts: 25 Vehicle: 86 Nissan D21 Thanks: 0 Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts	Junkyard. Pulled off a 4 banger. All V6's came with autos as far as I'm aware. Autos and manuals, v6 to z24 all have same spline counts so swap directly over. There was a spline change in 90 I think, so early trucks need early hubs and visa versa. Early hubs have 27 splines while later ones have 28. Scott __________________ 86.5 D21 SE-V6 KC 4x4 500k mls VG33i, Thorley Headers, Russ Cam Gears Rear Discs and LSD, ARB Front, 21 gal fuel tank 86.5 D21 Z24i Longbed - all stock 220k mls Last edited by sdfp45; 02-22-2020 at 07:44 PM.

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