I'm looking to buy a used F250 4x4 with manual transmission and transfer case. However, few are out there. Most have auto hubs. Should I be worried about additional maintenance concerns or have these electronic transfer cases proven pretty realiable?

Thanks,

 

I use to have manual hubs, bought them for the very reason you had mentioned (Heard bad things about them). Mostly heard people say that a solenoid would stick or malfunction and not allow 4x4 to work. Like I said I have only heard things and have no proof that it is a fact. I now have auto hubs, with a little switch on the dash and love it. Guess I will have to experience a problem before I get out again and lock the hubs in the cold snow along a busy road.

 

early ford auto hubs had LOTS of problems. pre '97. so it depends on what year you are looking at. my '94 and my brothers '95 both had problems with the auto hubs. the ford mechanic recommended that we replace with manual hubs. that's what we did. more reliable and much cheaper. that being said, my 2001 has auto hubs and they have been fine.