Still learning, don't flame........ Is there a such thing as non manual hubs for my 88 IFS p/u? It sucks having to get out and lock them, then unlock them. Does anyone make anything automatic, ya know, from inside the truck??

You have manual and automatic hubs in that vintage truck, see:
http://www.off-road.com/toyota/tech/aisin/

If you can find someone with automatic hubs, you can probably make a trade for your manual hubs, since most folks with the automatics want to get rid of them

It would be a fair amount of work to retrofit the automatic differential disconnect into the early truck. With the manual hubs, there is no rule that says you must always unlock them after use. Some folks I know who live in snow country, lock their hubs at the first snow and leave them locked until it melts in the spring. Then you just shift in and out of 4WD as needed with the transfer case shifter.

So this doesn't hurt the hub at all?? You see, I hunt alot and would love to be able to lock them in before I leave, then unlock them when I get home. So I can lock them, then switch into 2 wheel drive while locked?? Because I will be driving at highway speeds with them locked and in 2 wheel drive. No damage to hubs will happen??

Assuming that things up front and mechanically sound (no torn CV boots or worn out parts), then no, should be able to drive all the time with the hubs locked. Only reason for the hubs is to be able to unlock them to reduce wear and tear on the front end components (when 4WD is not needed) and to reduce the drag for slightly better fuel economy.

So if you have a long drive to go hunting, best option would be to lock the hubs once you get close to the area. I do that when I go skiing, I'll drive to the base of the mountains w/ hubs unlocked, then when I gas up before heading into the mountains, I'll lock the hubs and if 4WD is needed, just pull back on the t-case shifter and keep going.

The manual hubs are also better for rugged terrain as sometimes the auto hubs can unlock for a tire rotation which gets anoying if you're in a tricky spot. On the snowy road auto hubs are fine though.

-Scerb

Like everyone else here Drewdaddy: Keep those manual hubs <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />!

I will now that I found out I can ride with them locked (for a limited time)

You can ride with them on forever if you dont mind the extra (mild) hum, and the extra fuel efficiency cost. I forget to turn mine off sometimes, for hundreds of miles. No harm really. I love it when someone finds this out. They get really exited about not having to stop and get out of the truck.
You can shift on the fly too you know, at any speed! Well, I would at 80 mph, cause you shouldn't be doin 80 in the snow anyway.
4lo up to around 10 mph is fine too, at least according ot the manual of my 89.

You can also get front drive flanges that drive all the time. Replaces you locking hubs altogether, IIRC. Good for trailer queens and rock buggys.

I drive with my hubs locked and the truck in 2wd. If i hear "snow" I'll lock them the night before, and when the snow hits, I just put the t/case in 4wd.

I say hang on to the manual hubs.