98 4.0 wont lock in

[bassmaster123]

I Have a stock 98 ford ranger. The four wheel drive seems to lock in. You turn the knob, you hear the click of the hubs and everything but the front wheels just aren't turning. Any ideas?

 

[TwoTrackMind]

Ford Rep: Gee, thats odd, no one ever has a problem with that system. That must be why we discontinued it after just a few short years. We couldn't fix it either!

Seriously, are you sure its the hubs or the transfer case not engaging? Jack both rear wheels off the ground, carefully engage the transmission and watch the front driveshaft. If it turns, one or more hubs aren't working (even if they click). If not, then transfer case issues.

Let us know what you find out and go from there...

 

[bassmaster123]

i jacked the rear up and put it in drive and the front drive shaft turns. whats the next step?

 

[TwoTrackMind]

Good news is the transfer case is working. Bad news is you're having trouble with your hubs like everyone else. But you can now do some searching to see what can be done. This subject is talked about nearly everyday. Seems the most popular fix is to purchase and install manual locking hubs.

 

[Jason]

Good news is the transfer case is working. Bad news is you're having trouble with your hubs like everyone else. But you can now do some searching to see what can be done. This subject is talked about nearly everyday. Seems the most popular fix is to purchase and install manual locking hubs.

Popular=best. Vacuum hubs are garbage just like the A4LD and Ford knows it. Go to warn.com and check out what you need my man.

 

[TwoTrackMind]

I dont believe Warn handles them for newer Rangers. AVM or Rugged Trail (same hardware different sticker) is what I got and like them, except some people say they fall off (heavier?). I put hose clamps around the small plastic fingers hoping that would help. See:

http://www.therangerstation.com/tech_library/AVM_hub_swap.htm

And poke around the Tech Library and Resources Tabs at the top of this page for tonnes of other good stuff!

 

[bassmaster123]

do the 1997 models have the vacuum hubs?

 

[CheapThrills]

do the 1997 models have the vacuum hubs?

I don't think so, I think it was the 98-00 models.

 

[Sasquatch_Ryda]

^^^^you would be correct

 

[bassmaster123]

think im going to do the manual locking hubs, thanks for all the help!