old style locking hubs
 

I've talked to guys before that mentioned the locking hubs they had "back in the day". The way they described it was that they didn't have the switch you turn like most do. They (I've heard this from multiple people) said that you wrapped your hands around the whole hub and turned it instead.

Any thoughts on whether people still make something like this?

Re: old style locking hubs
 

Look up mile marker selectro hubs probably those.

Re: old style locking hubs
 

Still available for some, pricey though.

http://shop.milemarker.com/p/classic...-ford-rockwell

Re: old style locking hubs
 

I've got a pair of Selectros on my '72 Blazer with Dana 44. It's too bad they're only made for a few front axles anymore.

Re: old style locking hubs
 

Are these better then then new style? Or do they have a tendency to unlock when hit.

Re: old style locking hubs
 

I guess you are one of the lucky ones, I was just looking on their website and they only have the ones with a switch rather than turning the whole thing for Dana 44's now. Which really sucks, because I wanted it for a dana 44 lol.

Re: old style locking hubs
 

I believe they only work with external hubs.

Re: old style locking hubs
 

I've never hit anything with them, but I suspect they'd be more likely to break than unlock if getting hit by rocks. Probably any brand lockout is likely to break if hit hard enough.

Re: old style locking hubs
 

Maybe I'm missing something, but my hubs do stick out past the wheels...wouldn't that be considered external hub?

Re: old style locking hubs
 

No, both internal and external hubs stick out past the the wheel. Read this to get a better understanding of the differences. http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/newbi...rnal-hubs.html

Re: old style locking hubs
 

So is there any type of hub lock that will work with an internal hub that is easier to turn? I have big hands and fingers so reaching in to grab these switches can be a bit of an inconvenience lol.

Re: old style locking hubs
 

Selectros may be your best choice since they're easy to turn. You may be able to find a used set if you are vigilant.

Re: old style locking hubs
 

I have found a couple on ebay that say they are for Dana 44s but they also say 19 spline, and I am pretty sure mine would be a 30 spline. I have no idea if that would actually make a difference.

Re: old style locking hubs
 

My 69 GMC K10 has 30 spline axles on the differential side and 19 splines on the hub side. Good luck, Bruce

Re: old style locking hubs
 

I've used a set of open pliers to turn my old warn hubs. Good leverage.

Re: old style locking hubs
 

My dad always ran these on his jeeps in the 50's and 60's, we used them hard and never had a hub failure. He was buying military surplus so it may have been what the govt. spec'd. I was not ambitious enough to search and see if they are still made or were even available for GM hubs. You flipped the levers, turned them 180 degrees and flipped them back into the slot to engage and disengage.

Re: old style locking hubs
 

Those are Dualmatics. My dad ran those on his '62 Land Rover. Those are tough as it gets. I have a set for my '72 K2500

Re: old style locking hubs
 

i have an old wrap your hand around set that my uncle used on his half ton chevy back in the 70`s real neat retro looking

Re: old style locking hubs
 

I also had a pair of those dualmatics on a '60 Series II Land Rover. They did seem pretty stout.

Re: old style locking hubs
 

I had dualmatics on my 59 fleetside napco , , you pull the arm out rotate 180 fold it back , I never ever had a problem , bulletproof , I wish things were as good now as they were back then

Re: old style locking hubs
 

I agree. I guess it's nostalgia having a thing for these old hubs, but it's the appreciation of the quality as well. In fact, I always considered factory hubs plastic junk and switched them out right away.

Re: old style locking hubs
 

I'm only 31 and I still love the old stuff. Considering my first car was made in 88 and pretty much newer stuff from there on out. I had a couple classics and now I prefer them. Easier to work on, more reliable etc. Especially considering the last 4wd I had was a 2007 tahoe, only had 100k miles on it and something went wrong with the 4wd in the front axle. I wasn't going to pay $400-$2000 to fix it depending on what it was so now I have a 72 GMC lol.

Re: old style locking hubs
 

The OEM spicers like in my avatar are good units and easy to turn with two fingers as long as you do the maintenance on them every few years and don't use heavy grease. Gear lube seems like the way to go on them. Can't beat the look of OEM either.

Re: old style locking hubs
 

Not to argue here. I agree the Spicers are perfectly good hubs. But the hubs we're talking about here are better, if for no other reason, no plastic. Figure Spicer first made all metal hubs, too. Then by '69*, when most trucks got lock outs, they went to plastic (I figure) as a way to gain more profit. It certainly wasn't to make them stronger. One of the biggest mistakes people make is using grease outside of the wheel bearings. The other is doing no service at all. Servicing required, clean and lube...with oil.

* Plastic in grille,too. And in '72, first plastic door panels. In '73, mucho mas plastico

I do different things on different trucks. I'd use Spicers on an original truck, and have had them on about every truck I've had. But, it's way cool to use period correct upgrades on the right truck, just like Hickey stuff, Eagle Ventures hoods, aluminum slots, Ramsey winch/bumper, etc. I started out modifying these trucks when they were newer. Who wants a boring stock old man truck? And I why not increase performance to add to the pleasure? I've bought most of my cool aftermarket hubs from guys who had to have the Spicers. i like them all. I have a N.O.S. set of Spicers and even some red '70 nobs to color coordinate my GMC.

Those knob-type Selectros were available from many sources with their own name on them. Here are some examples:

Re: old style locking hubs
 

old spicer hubs on my k61 (wheels have been re-painted--was to cold)