'98 Ranger Hub ?'s

[jsfordboy02]

Have a '98 Ranger, 4x4, 5-speed, 3.0L. with vacuum hubs, 4x4 works, but am I correct in assuming that while in 2wd, with the engine shut off I would be able to turn the front axle shafts by hand? If so and I can not turn them (which I can not) the hubs are seized in the locked position......What is the best remedy for this? Can they be freed or am I just going to have to buy new parts? Can you put manual hubs on somehow? (Im sure you can put manual hubs on "somehow" but I mean realistically this is a daily driver and will never be on the trails)

 

[gribly]

How long have you had the truck? I suspect a previous owner may have gone ahead and disconnected the vacuum system and manually placed the hubs in the lock position before re-assembly. You can just buy a manual hub set that bolts on. Use the search function - common fail point and common modification.

 

[Original_Ranger84]

AVM is the only manufacture that sells hubs for the 98+ trucks, they are sold by rugged ridge and baseline4x4.

I wrote up a how to to try and fix the vacuum hubs and so far I haven't had any problems. but I also did the manual conversion just incase.

http://www.therangerstation.com/forums/showthread.php?t=72000

 

[Nathan123]

Does anybody remember the email from Jim awhile back about testing another manufacturer's manual hubs for the 98-01 trucks? Anyone ever get them and test drive them? We put the AVM's on my dad's 99 ranger. They say rugged ridge on them, got them from 4 wheel online.com. To take the old ones off, we just broke the plastic tabs. They pretty much just snap on, but then you need the special tool to hold the tabs up to get them back off. Tech library says to use jigsaw blades, but I didnt have enough at the time. They've been working great ever since

 

[Original_Ranger84]

Does anybody remember the email from Jim awhile back about testing another manufacturer's manual hubs for the 98-01 trucks? Anyone ever get them and test drive them? We put the AVM's on my dad's 99 ranger. They say rugged ridge on them, got them from 4 wheel online.com. To take the old ones off, we just broke the plastic tabs. They pretty much just snap on, but then you need the special tool to hold the tabs up to get them back off. Tech library says to use jigsaw blades, but I didnt have enough at the time. They've been working great ever since

Yeah I remember that email, i wanted to be picked so bad... Don't know if they have come out with them yet. To get the hubs off I just pulled on them gently and rolled it gently till they came off.