thanks for the reply - I just checked and I do still have the sticker there. I figured as much when I was checking the vehicle out that it probably needed to go backward to get them out of auto from driving some other 80's 4x4s when I was teenager but still wasn't totally sure enough to bank on the guy I got it from just not really knowing - I only know maybe 2% more. ha

sorry I'm prob. asking a ton of dumb questions but really trying to soak up as much as I can -
So what happens to my system if I move to manual hubs? It can't be as simply as just swapping out the hubs themselves can it? I would imagine there's gotta be a vacuum system that engages the auto ones so how do I deal with the light system on my dash that comes on when it's locked if i move to manual? Do i lose that? Is the computer going to do (or not do) something different if the auto hubs aren't there?