Hey AXE and fellow board contributors, I have a question about the Warn ALH's #61918. Are these a true mechanical locking hub or do they need vac. to lock. I haven't gotten any responses from Warn themselves. I know this sounds dumb, but I like the non-vac. action without having to cut an access hole in the center caps. Thanx in advance. Chris.

They are mechanical autolockers. No vacuum required.

But the hubs are larger than the vacuum hubs and the plastic hub center cap will not fit over them unless you trim it on the inside.

Indeed you have to trim the hub cover...But the trim job I did nicely using a Dremmel tool. First remove the black plastic KIA cap (the glue is strong )pushing from the back after cutting a 2" circle from the inside through the cover main body. then trim the edge to a taper. You will be able to save all the chrome circle if you trim to a taper from the back; the overall hole diameter from the front will be smaller than the hub diameter, but the taper at the back will contour the hub. The hub itself does not protrude through the cap. It just comes very close.

Hey Guys, thanx for the replys. Sorry it took so long to respond. Another question---Has anyone had any major problems with the auto-lockers or is the norm. to just install the manuals? I need your honest opinions. I like the ease of use from the auto's but I don't want to have to replace them twice. My sport. doesn't see any hard off road use. Just the everyday street grind with the occasional incliment weather.

I had the mechanical locking ones and when they failed I put the manual ones, you know get off the car and lock them by hand. I order to reduce this thing I lock them when I see that I will use them in the next 10-20 km so I kan shift to 4WD immediately
That trick is NOT to be used for long distanses

The mechanical autolockers work well and will last if used lightly. If you do mud and track, use the manuals. I use them only for "emergency" use in normal driving, so I know they will last. Also, their construction is such that they WILL shift IN on the fly, but this is not good practice.
SO choose your way of using them

Hey guys thanx for the info. I'll take it under advisement.