Replacing automatic locking hubs with manual hubs on a 1998 ford ranger

[tanman57]

Quick question. When I switch my 99 ranger to 4x4 I hear it click but the front tires don't spin. If I put manual hubs on would I have to still use the switch to put the truck in low gears? Or do I put the auto transmission in 1st or 2nd to have it in low gears

[Ready2Run1]

@tanman57 if it is the hubs that are the point of failure, switching to manual hubs would allow you to have 4x4. the main function of the switch is to control the transfer case, so yes, you would still have to use the switch to put the truck in four wheel drive and to select between high and low range. also check if the shift motor of the t-case isn't faulty, which can cause a clicking and problems shifting into 4x4 or low/high range. Good luck!

[Dubboyy]

I NEED HELP! I have a 93 ranger 4x4 xlt and its bpush button 4x4. When i press the button NOTHING lights up. No noises or anything :( someone please help.

[Ready2Run1]

@Dubboyy you might need a new switch (inside the cab) but you can check if that is the case with a volt meter, try that first. in my truck the t-case is electronically shifted: when my truck initially refused to engage 4x4 it was the t-case...i had the solenoid/shift motor changed out and that resolved the problem. if your switch is still working i would check the vac-pump for the differential, which is a harder fix.

good luck!

[charcoal85]

@Ready2Run1 I will have to agree with it being a relay inside the cab, With push btn 4x4 you will hear a relay clicking, if you do not hear the relay, you can check fuses, make sure power is making it to the relay with a multi meter or power tester, if the relay has power and is no longer functioning, replace.

[darkeyce02]

@Dubboyy my old s10 did that, you could here it go into 4wd but the front wheels wouldnt spin, it was a bad vacuum plunger. easy fix on mine. easy to find out if that it or not, just see if it depresses or not

[sovietsks45]

did you need a conversion kit? cuz i have a 95 F150 4x4 with a d44 axel it said i need a covesion kit

[Ready2Run1]

@sovietsks45 for this application i didn't use nor need a conversion kit. if it is recommended, i would get it. the dana 44 is a far more simple platform that the ranger's torsion bar ifs so i cant imagine what the kit would include beside the hubs and new o-rings, maybe a bypass for the vac-pump? let me know how it works out.

[sovietsks45]

@Ready2Run1 yes it did need a conversion not hard at all

[Ready2Run1]

@sovietsks45 so what all was in that conversion? seals and plugs?

[sovietsks45]

@Ready2Run1 nope on the dana axel the truck the locking mechanism was a little farther in the hub so its just an extention that makes a regular locker be able to reach, basicly if you dont have the extension there will be an empty space from the locker and the actual locking mechanism in the axel, its kinda hard to explane

[sovietsks45]

im looking at these mile marker hubs and it say i need a conversion kit what do they mean and where can i get one?

[Ready2Run1]

@sovietsks45 for what vehicle is this? for this ranger i did not disable the vacuum pump that engages the auto's but that would be a good thing to do-the conversion might include the c-clips needed to do this(the originals often break) and seals/o-rings. my hubs included everything needed to make them work including the o-rings. if you contact the manufacturers of those hubs they should be able to tell you where to get a "conversion kit" and what it actually is.

[grizzlyguy15]

if you still have the autos i want them to

[Ready2Run1]

@grizzlyguy15 where are you located? the other guy still hasn't got back to me so if your still interested, send me an email at gram.cracker@live.com and we can talk, thank for your interest!

[davidsquall351]

Cool looks like an easy fix.I might do that later on. But man @ 2:30 do not work on a truck supported by the jack only. Put it down on your jack stands.

[Ready2Run1]

@davidsquall351 thank for your concern- i can see now how much it was wobbling- usually when working on my vehicles i set them right down on the stand but this jack was a pain in the butt-just wanted to get this job over with (my hydraulic jack finally started leaking and wouldn't lift more than about 4.5-5 inches, got a new one now) .

[TheJerzyrebel]

i want your autos. send me a message if interested. oh. and. DO NOT GREASE YOUR 1998 HUBS. MANUAL OR AUTO. first off it voids warranty on omix-ada hubs(the only manufacturer of 98 manual hublocks) secondly it causes your automatic hublockers to malfunction. it specifically says in the book and omix-ada specifically states to give a thin coat of tranny fluid on ANY 1998 hublockers not grease. trust me. ive been through ALOT of hubs. and rangers. the hubs do not get as hot as you might think

[Ready2Run1]

@TheJerzyrebel thanks for your comment, the original hubs are just sitting in my shed. i was thinking of keeping them as spares but for a few bucks id be happy to mail them to you, or if your around my are you could stop by and pick them up, one in a while i travel to Montana/Idaho, Vancouver, Lethbride, Okanagan valley and around the kootenay reigion, i live in the east kootenays so i might be able to bring them to you. send me another message or your email address and we can talk.

[xacdcx7]

id clean it with brake cleaner before u install the new hubs in to make sure u dont have any metal shavings or dirt inside there good video tho!

[renkennumberone]

thanks very helpful