Is there an advantage to manual locking hubs over automatic? I have an 4WD X-90 and notice several other owners have replaced their auto hubs with manual. What is the pros and cons? Is it something I can do in my shop? Any good advice is appreciated. Thanks in advance. Steve

The main advantage of the manual hubs is you always know if they are locked.  This allows you to shift on the fly into 4wd, if your careful, since the front end is already turning at the correct speed.

With automatic hubs the vehicle wheels have to rotate 1/2 a turn before they lock in, so shifting on the fly is not an option.  They will also stay locked sometimes until the vehicle backs up, and they can unlock when in reverse.  But they do have the bonus of not having to get out of your vehicle.

Swapping the hubs is easy, just unbolt the one and bolt on the other.  You can use a set of manual hubs from a Suzuki Samurai as well, but you will need to double up your gaskets.

I've run both in various situations ...

Once you learn the behavior of auto hubs, they aren't bad (and the convenience can be nice).

I've started leaning towards auto hubs (and carry a manual spare just in case).

When shifting to 4wd, even on the fly, just ease on the power until you feel them lock. When reversing, apply power to keep them locked. If you roll/coast backwards about 5-10' then they can unlock.

IMO, it's the skinny pedal that breaks auto-hubs ... If you treat them properly, they are really nice to have when you're going in and out of 4wd often. When on hard trails, I've not had them pop out or fail, but you do have to realize you may unlock if you roll back from an obstacle (so just learn the feel of them getting locked back in, and then you can punch it).

Just an FYI, we offer manual locking hubs for these vehicles.

Standard Hubs:
http://www.warn.com/truck/hubs/application_chart.shtml

Premium Hubs:
http://www.warn.com/truck/hubs/premium_application_chart.shtml

If you've got any questions, feel free to PM me here.

- Andy

For a street rig, auto hubs are the way to go.  Very convenient!  For offroading, swap to manual.  If you are on the rocks and have to back up or roll back a few inches or so to take another shot at an obstacle, the hubs can release.  It can take a few inches or so for them to lock back in when you go forward again.  Sometimes a couple of inches of traction will make or break ya!     

Auto hubs will unlock and relock everytime you change directions....there is no "maybe", "might" or "can" about it.  And it doesn't matter whether you roll, or power backwards....auto hubs will unlock every single time you change directions, no matter what the situation.  So I think it is when people are "rocking" the vehicle back and forth, trying to get unstuck, is when it breaks auto hubs. 
Personally, I have pulled every set of auto hubs off of every trackick I have owned and replaced them with manuals (they do not unlock, until you get out and turn the dial to unlock them).