I've had manual locking hubs on mine for several years now. Combined with a TOD disconnect switch, it's great.
The VX is noticeably quicker in RWD only, and a lot more fun as well. Noticeably better mpg too, when not observing the "noticeably quicker" bit. The only "AWD get up and go" I've ever noticed is having to stand on the brakes at a stoplight to counter the AWD trying to drag me into the intersection. Can't say as I miss that at all...
The point of reversing to unlock hubs is to unload the torque from the hub gear's mating surface with the axle so the hub is free to move away from the axle and unlock. Think of hubs as just another gear engagement that binds up after miles and miles of being pushed by the axle to move the wheels. Reversing to unlock applies equally to both auto-locking and manual locking hubs.
Stock, the VX comes with a flange. It's a solid metal gear that connects the axle full-time. It's not something that can be unlocked without being modified or replaced.
-Daver
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