'93 Manual Locking Hubs - Newb Questions

[projectRanger93]

I'm missing the manual locking hub mechanism (the guts) on the driver's side, it was gone when i got the truck. I just have the "shell."

My questions are the following:
1.) Can i still dive the truck in 2wd with it missing? Would that cause any issues?
2.) What is the original brand, Ford/Motorcraft or someone else?
3.) What brands do you recommend or would advise not to get?
4.) I know the hubs can be interchanged in the 93 - 97 years. Am I able to switch it out with older versions?
5.) If i get a replacement, is it advised to switch out the passenger side too or it doesn't matter?

Feel free to answer whatever you can.
Thanks!

 

[Uncle Gump]

Just get a set of Warn hubs for your year and replace both sides... keep the other for a spare.

 

[adsm08]

I agree with Gump.

The originals would have been branded as Ford, but I don't know who made them.

Warn is a great brand, but they only sell them in pairs, so get both and put them both on. It is safe to drive like that for a while, but not indefinitely.

The alternative is to gamble on a JY unit, which they are pretty sturdy and rarely fail, so might be worth it.

 

[projectRanger93]

Thanks guys! Yeah the Warn would definitely seem more enticing if it was half the price but maybe I'll bite the bullet. Thanks for the advice.

 

[Denisefwd93]

I'm missing the manual locking hub mechanism (the guts) on the driver's side, it was gone when i got the truck. I just have the "shell."

My questions are the following:
1.) Can i still dive the truck in 2wd with it missing? Would that cause any issues?
2.) What is the original brand, Ford/Motorcraft or someone else?
3.) What brands do you recommend or would advise not to get?
4.) I know the hubs can be interchanged in the 93 - 97 years. Am I able to switch it out with older versions?
5.) If i get a replacement, is it advised to switch out the passenger side too or it doesn't matter?

Feel free to answer whatever you can.
Thanks!

Replace both with Warn and be done. Bad or parts missing just mean trouble but you should probably be able to drive it in 2wd, does your shift motor work?

 

[projectRanger93]

Replace both with Warn and be done. Bad or parts missing just mean trouble but you should probably be able to drive it in 2wd, does your shift motor work?

I have a manual transfer case, so happily don't have a shift motor.

 

[4x4junkie]

The factory hubs were made by Warn, and have a narrow "4x4" decal on the dial knob.

Any 27-spline hubs made for the Dana35 axle should fit yours (year range is from mid-'90 to '97 models and includes '91-'94 Explorers).

Mile Marker is the only brand I might suggest to avoid... In the past there were numerous reports of them breaking in use, though I also have to say I've not seen anything real recent (not sure, maybe they changed the design).

If you have any plans to add a front differential locker and oversize tires, I'd suggest going a step further and get the Warn pt# 37780 hubs, which are considerably stronger than the standard-issue Warn #29071 hubs.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

The alternative is to gamble on a JY unit, which they are pretty sturdy and rarely fail, so might be worth it.

JY, Explorers have them. Locally they are $9.99/pr and they don't care if the bearing nuts/washers are in the hubs or not.

 

[projectRanger93]

I found hubs off a 91/92 ranger. They'll fit right?

 

[scotts90ranger]

They should, as long as the pumpkin has 10 bolts on the front of the beam it's for a Dana 35 which should be factory on any '90.5 to '97 Ranger, but you never know what people put in after the fact...

 

[racsan]

I did run mile marker’s and only had a issue once, I was backing into a parking spot in the winter. There was plowed snow pushed into the parking spots on this back row, I didn’t like how far the nose of the truck stuck into the drive so I tried backing up into/on top of the snow pile. Of course the back tires started slipping once the hitch and back bumper started pushing snow and the rear tires themselves were on snow. Hubs were already locked in as there was quite a bit of snow that week. I put it in 4L and went back some more, front tires were on clean pavement. Well after about a foot & a half of travel there was a loud “pop” from the front. No more help from the front axle. When I checked things out later the drivers side hub had broke the large engagement ring - in 3 places! I got another set and had a spare then. Was the only problem I ever had with mile marker. I did have issues with the stock auto hubs, more than once they didn’t want to engage.

 

[projectRanger93]

I think I will be going with new ones. I wasn't convinced with getting the JY ones in the end because i've had mixed experiences with JY parts. I would rather not deal with failing parts in the near future, so eh screw it i'll go with new.

 

[projectRanger93]

Anyone familiar with the brand Ultra Power? Looking at the ULTRA-POWER 600212 off rock auto right now.

 

[wildbill23c]

No experience with the Ultra Power, or Warn hubs, I have the Mile Marker Hubs on my 88 Bronco 2, no issues with them. Had the passenger side hub decide that making odd clattering noise was the result of trying to use the 4WD, so I replaced both hubs with Mile Marker brand hubs and they've been working fine for what little 4WD use my Bronco 2 sees. Some of the knock off names kind of make me stray away, stick with Mile Marker or Warn and you'll be fine. Might cost a couple bucks more but at least you have a part the company will stand behind and more than likely lend assistance with if it breaks or other issues.

 

[projectRanger93]

No experience with the Ultra Power, or Warn hubs, I have the Mile Marker Hubs on my 88 Bronco 2, no issues with them. Had the passenger side hub decide that making odd clattering noise was the result of trying to use the 4WD, so I replaced both hubs with Mile Marker brand hubs and they've been working fine for what little 4WD use my Bronco 2 sees. Some of the knock off names kind of make me stray away, stick with Mile Marker or Warn and you'll be fine. Might cost a couple bucks more but at least you have a part the company will stand behind and more than likely lend assistance with if it breaks or other issues.

Thanks for the input! Ultra Power is a brand sold from Rock Auto. I guess I'll go with Warn when more funds become available.