1986 Ford Ranger 4x4 Problems

[dylanr]

Hey y'all. i'm new here. my name is dylan and i had a 1986 ford ranger stx 2.9 v6 with 4x4. currently, the 4 wheel drive is not working. it has low and high 4x4 and works by simply pressing a button. there are lights by the button that light up but the 4x4 does not engage. has anybody had to deal with this or know what a usual problem is with this? let me know! happy to be here!

 

[rusty ol ranger]

Shift motor failures are pretty common on them

 

[dylanr]

is that an easy fix ?

Shift motor failures are pretty common on them

 

[rusty ol ranger]

is that an easy fix ?

Never did one on a old ranger...i did on my 97 expedition. It was pretty easy, 3 bolts and a plug IIRC. Yours is pry similar.

Someone will be along more familiar with them to help more

 

[scotts90ranger]

If the high and low lights are turning on and not flashing then the shift motor likely works, from there it's probably the hubs as they are probably automatic if they don't have the little knob in the middle. First you have to shift into 4x4 hi or low then there has to be some slip between the front and rear axle to get the auto hubs to engage

 

[SenorNoob]

Just you know, the shift motor is similar (if not the same) on the early ones.

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

I have had the 4x4 module crap out on me once, but usually it’s the shift motor that becomes a problem. Or automatic hubs. The auto hubs are not the greatest. The shift motors are a common failure and part of that is because people go for long periods of time without shifting in and out of 4x4. I‘ve even had manual t-case shifters seize up because they weren’t used frequently enough. Periodically throughout the year if I’m going straight down a road I’ll kick over to 4hi for a couple minutes just to sling some oil around the diff and make sure everything moves like it should. I’ll kick it down to 4lo in the yard sometimes too. I want to make sure it’s gonna work when I need it.

Shift motors aren’t hard to change but you need to do some troubleshooting. 4hi should engage at any speed up to 55mph. 4lo you need to be stopped and in neutral to get it to engage. When you hit the buttons to switch, you should hear some clicking in the cab from wherever the 4x4 control module is (my 88 Bronco II has it in the dash, my 92 Ranger has it under the drivers side jump seat in the extended cab). The modules also have a test button on them.

 

[00t444e]

If the light is coming on then the transfer case is shifting. Your auto hubs are most likely bad, put manual ones in.