The "best" lockout hubs?

[akaFrankCastle]

So, the other day I was kicking around the salvage yard. I saw quite a few different makes of lockout hubs on the trucks in the yard. Got me to thinking. What, in your opinion, is the best lockout to run on a truck? I have a set of basic Warns on the Bronco now. A set of Warn premiums in the garage I pulled from the yard some time ago. Saw some MileMarkers and SuperWinch the other day.

[Gunnibronco]

I've heard/read that the stock Ford hubs are strongest, even better than aftermarket. I've been running Mile Marker for 15 years and only had one break. It was working, but I noticed that there were some pieces floating around when I was greasing stuff. MM replaced it no questions asked.

[akaFrankCastle]

Still kicking myself in the butt for sending the '66 to Tennessee with the stock 1966 hubs on the truck.

[sbolt19]

If you have stocks, stay with them. If you have any of the others, when they break, get a set of the stock hubs.

[Justin]

I've always heard stock as well. Besides, they say Ford on them, what could be better?

[Gunnibronco]

Still kicking myself in the butt for sending the '66 to Tennessee with the stock 1966 hubs on the truck.

Kicking myself for being young and dumb, and ASSuming aftermarket must be better than stock, right. I probably threw them in the trash when I swapped in the MM hubs. My MM hub only broke when I busted an axle u-joint and the outer axle shaft pushed out.

If you have stocks, stay with them. If you have any of the others, when they break, get a set of the stock hubs.

I grabbed the hubs from my 79 axles, and kept them, but one got buggered up. So I keep the one good one as my trail spare.

[Colorado75bronc]

Stocks are strong, warns aren't to impressive, the hub fuse, the part actually touches the splines on the stub shaft, is really weak, they split almost every other time you break an axle or ujoint, I switched to the super winch hubs on my 79 after breaking a few warn premiums, and never had an issue again, and that was on a full size with 38.5x14.50 tsl sx's

[sbolt19]

I should add that I had the lock ring spin the keeper off once and it trashed the entire outter hub & spindle. I am still using the original inner hubs, but I had to cut the outter hub off. I was told by a local expert that if it had been a Warn, I would have been in the market for a new set.

[Jesus_man]

I have broken a stock one, so on went some warn premiums and haven't had trouble since. I wouldn't have gone warn if the deal wasn't so good, but I carry the last stock as a spare.

Of the aftermarkets - the word on the street is Warn's are probably the weakest. From there, I don't know.

[Kinder]

Running Warn premiums on mine, came the way from previous owner, so far no probs. Running a stock set on Willem's, again what was on the axle. My motto is run what you've got.

[PaulW]

Trouble with stock is they are plastic and break very easily. The Warn premium are all metal and will take a beating. Also the warn use a larger rotation than stock which works like a switch. Its much easier to use the Warn for that positive feeling for lock and unlock.
Paul

[TIM]

I don't know if warn premiums are the best but I broke a gear in one, mailed the broken gear to warn with a letter and they mailed me back a complete set. Their lifetime warranty is for real.

[ZOSO]

On my 79 I run warn premium and keep the stockers for spares. My 74 has stockers on it and will be doing the same.

[GB67]

No one has mentioned it but keep in mind cost comparison and circumstances to the build or project that is being taken on to include predetermined fail safes that are supposed to break before another more serious or costly item, kind of like the purpose behind your home circuit breaker. Any breakage sucks however, lock out hubs are supposed to break before axle shafts (hubs are cheaper and easier to repair / replace vice axle shafts etc. Of course tire size, weight of vehicle, use, power train / drivetrain combos and set ups all contribute to when the failure will be likely. You see this all the time with most budget minded "average joe" enthusiast without deep pockets that modify in stages... you save up your hard earned money and the most common first upgrade for anyone is a lift and tires and you take that newly lifted vehicle with those big meats they always wanted on a stock Dana 30 front end and the owner "upgrades" the lockout hubs since it is not a very expense change and takes to the trail to push the limits and boom snaps that short side or outer axle shaft...which leads to an option debate about... (insert, well lets just say a lot).

So my 2 cents of opinion is it is not so much about a "best" lockout hub, but more about the combination of load limits matching the purpose and build. If that is correct then a stock or aftermarket part will likely perform in the same manner without failure and does not play much effect. It is probably the main reason those with the deep pockets overbuild with over beefy stuff which equals less failure.