I think my auto hubs are broken but before I pull the plug on some manual hubs I thought I would get the boards opinion. I did a bunch of searching and this is what I narrowed it down to.
I have a 1988 4runner with auto hubs.

When it is up on jack stands and I shift into 4x4, the light comes on and the front driveshaft turns along with the driver side CV/axle shaft. When the truck is off and in 4x4, I can hold the drivers side axle shaft and turn the driveshaft to make the passenger side cv/axle shaft spin. This leads me to believe that the axle and diff and transfer case are all in working order. Am i right in my thinking that the hubs need to be replace?

So I am guessing that the hubs are bad, but do they usually go bad around the same time? That seems strange. Anyways, I removed the hub cover, the bolt and washer that holds the hub onto the axle as well as the bolts that hold the hub body on. I them removed the entire hub. Has anyone had good experiences with aftermarket hubs besides Warn? Are most people buying used Aisin or warn hubs? Any suggestions on where to buy? I believe I also need the install kit as well. Thanks for any help.

 

http://www.4x4wire.com/toyota/tech/add/

 

if you don't mind waiting and spending the coin wabfab has some nice refurbished hubs, he rebuilds and powdercoats them. ebay usually has a few sets. definitely go for the aisin, in my opinion.

 

This wont work as this truck (1988) does not have add.

 

First gen 4Runners didn't have ADD. They might have had auto hubs depending on options/trim level. It is pretty unlikely that both front auto hubs would fail at the same time, but realize that with an open differential, you only need one hub to not engage in order to lose all drive to the front wheels.

 

Get manual hubs. you wont regret it. Find a nice used stock set and clean them up your self, they are very simple.

Heres the correct 4x4wire write up on the auto hubs.

http://www.4x4wire.com/toyota/tech/autohub/

 

Yep, after replacing the auto hubs with manual ones the 4x4 is back in working order. The inside of one of the hubs had smashed up pieces of plastic in it. Pretty easy fix, about an hour total and basic tools other than the 54mm socket. Thanks for the input.