What would I gain from putting some manual hubs up front on a 95 SR5 auto?

 

You will save your CV's and very minor fuel economy.

 

i swapped manuals into my truck, dumped those auto locks, i just like the fact that i know that my hubs are locked in.

 

you gain peice of mind. There are no mileage gains that im aware of. It just saves a lot of wear and tear on the front end, also allows you to gain the ability of 2wd low range, and its nice to have on the trail

 

Well the OP has a 95 which means it's ADD if it doesn't have Manual Hubs already. This means that it has flanges which are ALWAYS locked, unlike auto-hubs...

OP-Switch to Manual hubs and save the wear on your CVs. Especially if you plan on lifting it.

 

I'm obviously new to all this, but aren't the stock hubs on a 95 SR5 always locked anyway, due to the design of the hub itself? When one of the front wheels is off the ground if you spin it by hand, the axle spins too.

The above wasn't up yet when I started posting, pretty much answers my question, thanks.


ETA, for normal driving manual hubs are left in free, only locking them when in 4wd?

 

yes keep them unlocked while in 2wd lock them when you put it in 4wd

 

That's what I figured, but hell I've been wrong about simple stuff before