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

an easy and simple improvement to the ford ranger. if I can do it, you can to - i'm 16 and the only other mechanical experience I have is a couple oil and filter changes and bolting on new rubber in the spring and fall. Total time including dealing with the crappy jack that came with the truck, taking on and off the tires, torquing to spec (100 ft/lbs) and wandering around to find tools and materials to get a level surface to jack from - 75 minutes
reason for replacing: a common problem with many rangers-a seal in the vacuum system was blown preventing the hubs from locking- I was quoted by a mechanic $1200 to fix and it would probably happen again, he recommended going to manual hubs, of which i am a proponent of.
bought from summit racing for $175

Category:

Autos & Vehicles

Tags:

• Ford
• 1998
• Ranger
• ranger
• hub
• hubs
• rugged ridge
• manual locking hubs
• 4x4
• install
• installation
• DIY
• small
• truck
• off
• road
• upgrade
• modification
• '98
• '99
• 1999
• wrenching

[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]

@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

[Ready2Run1]

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

[sovietsks45]

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

[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.