Auto hubs unlocked?


Natedog

15+ Year Member

Joined
Aug 7, 2007
Messages
917
Points
3,101
City
CA
Vehicle Year
87
Transmission
Manual
I have auto hubs in my 87 Ranger at the moment....front driveshaft is removed due to different gear ratios in axles (still looking for a complete front pumpkin with 4.11s). How do I ensure that my auto hubs are unlocked so that my whole front axle is not spinning?
 
first thing would be raise the front end up and spin the tires while holding the pinion still . if you can't the hubs are locked. 2nd would be install manual hubs.
 
why did you remove your front driveline? having different gear ratios wont hurt anything with the transfer case in 2wd.
 
first thing would be raise the front end up and spin the tires while holding the pinion still . if you can't the hubs are locked. 2nd would be install manual hubs.

Yeah, I know...lol...got the manual hubs on another front axle assy, just need time do do the converrsion. :D Guess I shoulda phrased the question differently, it was late and I was tired. What I did was grab the front pinion and rotate it by hand in reverse so as to hopefully ensure that the hubs stay unlocked. They were unlocked and in 2wd when I pulled the front driveshaft. Does this do the trick?

Pulled the driveshaft to make access to fuel lines, pump, wiring harness etc easier because I installed the dual tanks from another parts truck. Haven't put it back in because I still need to get a good five speed and manual tcase to swap in, so it's coming out again anyways.

EDIT: Oh yeah also removed the electric tcase wiring when I swapped everything around, so even though tcase was in 2wd when I unhooked it all, I can't shift it at the moment.
 
Last edited:
turning the front pinion will lock the hubs in place...turning the wheels unlocks them. drive in reverse in a straight line for 10 feet and if your hubs are working properly, they'll be unlocked.

FYI, you can shift an e-case with a pair of pliers or vice grips if the motor is off (you probably noticed the case has markings under the motor for 2hi, 4hi, and 4lo). i it was in 2wd when you removed everything, it'll stay there (its not going to "slip" into 4wd).
 
DOH! :D Ok, already done backed up that way several times. Yeah I recall being able to shift the electric case with pliers. Thanks! :)
 

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