Manual Lockouts

[Duce7753]

I have a 98 B 4000 with pulse vacuum hubs. Is there a manual replacement? Every part in this thing has Ford all over them. I can find lockouts for 98 Fords, they also fit 2001 up, B series. Is there a spline difference? The axle shafts are 24 spline, if my math is right. Thanks <><Duce

 

[North Idaho 5.oh]

In all honesty man, I would get rid of all that garbage and convert it to a 2000 ranger front end.
You would need knuckles, wheel bearings, and CV axles and completely do away with all the vacuum actuated junk.
If you’re specifically looking for a set of manual hubs, I think I may have a set that I bought and used for a week or so and did the knuckle, bearing and axle swap.

Hope this helps.

 

[Duce7753]

Thanks for the reply. Being in central Indiana don't think I could run by and buy or do some trading. But maybe could post the brand and model number. I think I may have solved the mystery. It appears Mazda used 24 splined axles until 2001 while Fords used 27. Go figure. As I understand it, Ford built the B series trucks.

 

[RonD]

Welcome to TRS

There are two other options to lock PVH hubs

Full time lock https://www.therangerstation.com/tech/permanently-lock-your-98-00-pvh-hubs/
Same as 2001 and up Rangers and Mazdas with Live Axle

and

Manual control: https://www.therangerstation.com/tech/adding-manual-control-to-your-1998-2000-ford-ranger-pulse-vacuum-hubs/

I have not tried either one

 

[4.0blue98]

I ran the full time lock that RonD linked above for a year or so with no problem. I did eventually put on a set of AVMs though.

 

[00t444e]

Just throw a set of good quality Mile Marker hubs on if and be done with it, no need to overcomplicate something simple. Mile Marker Premium Locking Hub (426) https://a.co/d/1aqURKa
Also you can get a set of these cheap ones to keep with you as spares.
USTAR Manual Locking Hub Fit for Ford Ranger 1998-2003, Ford Explorer 1995-2001 Mazda B-Series Pickup 2001-2008 Replaaces:F87Z-3B396-BA (2Pc Pack) https://a.co/d/iXAe9ma

 

[James Morse]

As I understand it, Ford built the B series trucks.

Yes the B series were built by Ford, not sure if it's all years, but my '99 was built right up in Edison NJ at the same place my '97 was built. You may have found some differences. Mostly they are the same except for the badging, grill, stuff like that. But when you start looking at mechanical parts, they're all Ford. And even though the '97 and '99 are different gens, the dash is identical. There is tons different in my 2 trucks but that's primarily because they are different gens and different models.

The Mazdas phased out in '09 (vs '11 for Ford) and actually the '09's were '08's leftovers. I've even seen some Mazda sold as '10's but I'm pretty sure there was no such thing.
Interesting thing about the Mazda B4000 in the last years they were loaded with skids etc basically an FX truck. Limited colors. It was a different approach than Ford where there were a zillion ways you could get things, the B4 just pretty much came with everything (4.0L, 4x4, etc). So they could be a nice truck, problem is, not many were sold compared to Rangers so you don't see many decent ones out there (at least I didn't).

I think the build quality is equal to Ford - after all - Ford built it with Ford parts on contract to Mazda.
I'm surprised the splining would be different.

 

[RonD]

The AVM models(Mile Marker and Rugged Ridge) won't work on the Mazda B-series 1998-2000 because they had a different axle splines than Ranger in those years
And AVM never made a version for them
Even the ads say "Mazda B3000/B4000 ’01-’08", none for 1998-2000

 

[4.0blue98]

Yes like the OP said too, the AVMs won't fit. Remember seeing that when I ordered mine. Just lock'em and roll on. I saw no drop in mpgs in the year or so that I had mine locked.

 

[00t444e]

The AVM models(Mile Marker and Rugged Ridge) won't work on the Mazda B-series 1998-2000 because they had a different axle splines than Ranger in those years
And AVM never made a version for them
Even the ads say "Mazda B3000/B4000 ’01-’08", none for 1998-2000

Are you sure about that? The reviews and questions under both the Mile Marker and Rugged Ridge hubs people are saying the fit fine on a 98 and 99 Mazda B400. I have a hard time believing that they would make a different hub than what the Ranger used for those years.

 

[RonD]

Yes, me too, but thats what the ads say and I have read that on other Ranger forums in the past

But it really doesn't make sense to me, since the rest of the drivetrain in 2WD and 4WD were the same on 1998 to 2000 Rangers and Mazda B-series

 

[00t444e]

Yes, me too, but thats what the ads say and I have read that on other Ranger forums in the past

But it really doesn't make sense to me, since the rest of the drivetrain in 2WD and 4WD were the same on 1998 to 2000 Rangers and Mazda B-series

I would order them and see if they fit and if they don't send them back.

 

[RonD]

The thing is, if you go to the AVM website, the OEM for these, it has the same thing, seen here: http://www.avm.com.br/products4.htm

Ford
Ranger 98-00 27 spline model 470

Mazda
B3000&B4000 01>, and up, 27 spline model 470

​

 

[Duce7753]

I'll be counting splines again! Wonder if some of the confusion is because original Mazda axles halves were replaced with Ford?

 

[RonD]

Not sure, that AVM site list 1994 to 1997 Mazda B-series, using same as 1990 to 1997 Rangers model 465
1994 is when Ford started building B-series in US

Every one goofs on part or model numbers and what fits what............. but its been 20+ years to correct the goof if it was wrong, lol