So I have a "new" (old) set of axles on the truck and one of the auto locking hubs is going bad (looks like poor maintenance). I can't find a single part for sale out there in internet land. Now I REALLY don't like the idea of getting out of the vehicle in the driving snowstorms in traffic that I deal with regularly and that's why I've always preferred the idea of autos to manuals.

But now I read that you may be able to leave a manual hub "locked" and just switch between 2Hi and 4Hi at will? And that all it does is cost some fuel mileage from spinning the front driveshaft? I don't have experience with manuals, so I need some help verifying this.

1. Does running a "locked" manual hub in 2Hi at full speed (75mph) on dry pavement for a 100 miles or more pose any danger to the system?

2. On the other hand, does anyone have any clue where I can buy an auto locking hub or how to service or repair a failing unit? (it's not disengaging properly).

Thanks for any advice!!