95.5 aftermarket wheel question! Locking hubs

So i have manual locking hubs on my tacoma! I also have the 4wd lever next to my shifter. My question is I can upgrade my rims correct? I don't need a special type of aftermarket locking hubs!

 

Yes you can ugrade as long as they are 6 lug toyota pattern.

 

Also what do the locking hubs do? When should i use them? Do I even need them! And what do they do?

 

Locking hubs are part of 4wd. If you go off road and might get stuck you lock in hubs and shift inside truck to 4 hi or 4 low to engage your 4wd. Snow covered roads also. Should be explained better in owners manual. Also on drivers visor.

 

So how does it work if I get new rims that don't have locking hubs?

 

The locking hubs aren't part of the wheels, they just stick through them. BTW not all 6 lug wheels will fit. For example, my Ivan Stweart TRD rims will not fit over manual hubs. You just need to make sure the center of the wheel is a big enough diameter for the hubs to fit through.

They're pretty nice to have because without them your CVs spin all the time and wears out parts quicker since they are always in use. Just be sure if you need 4wd to lock them because just using the 4wd shifter and not locking them will still just be 2wd.