I understand that gen1 ('96 Tracker) manual hubs will fit my gen2 ('01 Tracker), but will they allow the '01 front wheels to FREE-WHEEL without the axles spinning all the time? If I knew that, I'd be ready to make the switch. THANKS!!

Yup, they will let the front axle shafts freewheel just like on an older one.   

yup, just make sure you get the cone washers  that go with the hubs.


-Lance

Basically, the shift on the fly fixed hubs (under the plastic covers on your wheels) have splines cut in the caps which engage the splines on the outside CV ends ALL the time.... so anytime you are moving your vehicle....  the wheel turns and the Shafts have to turn as well.  All the time.  The manual hubs engage the splines on the outside CV when "locked" and release when you dis-engage them so the CV shafts don't turn when you are running in two wheel drive.  This is the primary advantage to the manual hubs.  The SOTF diff set-up with the air pressure pump powering the diaphram remains the same and precludes  locker moidifications to the diff.  You could still change ring and pinion ratio.

All true, except calling it SOTF is really misleading.  The 1st generation vehicles, with no air-operated clutch, can also SOTF between 2WDHi and 4WDHi, provided their hubs are locked.  It is really a "freewheeling axle" arrangement.

Hey, I really want to thank you guys for helping me out with this hub situation! I've got two '96 Trackers and this one '01, and I really like the gen1 much better than the '01. But, the '01 does have a more comfortable ride on streets. I'd much rather use the '96 in the rough though. Also, the best built-in lumbar support seats are in the older Trackers. I guess it's just a little "give and take". THANKS AGAIN!!!   

Here's a funny.  I removed the drive flanges on my GV so I can have locking hubs, only to remove the locking hubs from my Sammy to install the drive flanges!