AVM hubs for 98-00

[almostclueless]

To be honest, the PVH hubs themselves rarely let go. It's either the oring, axleshaft seal, or vacuum lines that fail. Then the hubs go bad.

On mine the passenger side oring failed, and the solenoid leaked and always routed vacuum to the hubs.

 

[Jspafford]

Ok, I'll let him know that it IS a vacuum system. Thanks!!

Ok here's what I did, I jacked up the front of the Ranger so the tires were off the ground and I spun the front drive shaft....the tires didn't spin. The front axle's were spinning but not the tires. Hubs???

Wait, that won't work. In order for the hubs to be locked the dial would need to be in a 4wd position, which would then lock the front driveshaft to the transfer case, therefore this test won't work.

Not sure how you can test out the hubs.

 

[99RangerKrazy]

Ok so I put it in 4hi and did the same thing and the I could hear the hubs lock in and the front drive shaft would no longer spin. That's where I'm at now.

 

[Jspafford]

What you heard was most likely the transfer case fully engaging.

That's the reason the test won't work because now the case is locked in and preventing the driveshaft from turning.

 

[99RangerKrazy]

Well I'm stuck...what else could it be/what else should I check?

 

[99RangerKrazy]

Well I'm stuck...what else could it be/what else should I check? We just got about 9 inches of snow..so 4WD would be handy haha. Just goes to show how useful it really is.

 

[Jspafford]

All I can offer is to do this and lock them permantly.

http://www.therangerstation.com/Magazine/Apr04/offroad.htm

 

[99RangerKrazy]

Ok sweet deal! I just did that this morning and 4WD hi and low work! Thanks a ton! I appreciate you putting up with my questions!!

Should I just do a manual hub swap, or would it even matter?

 

[Randy960]

I guess having the option to unlock the hubs will help gas mileage, tire wear, and driveline wear, but honestly my avm's have been locked since I got them, because the weather changes quick around here. When summer comes I'll try to get a good comparison gas mileage with and without the hubs locked. I mostly got them because one of my pvh hubs was actually cracked and wouldn't lock at all.

 

[jck_p]

You can get those AVM'S at www.tellico4x4.com. About $115 w/shipping. You can also convert your PVH's to pemanently locked for FREE. Check out http://www.therangerstation.com/Magazine/Apr04/offroad.htm. I did the vacuum hub mod while I waited for my AVM's to arrive. It's a great relief to know I have all four grabbing when I need 'em. - 1999 Ranger XLT

 

[Randy960]

btw, I have noticed about a 1mpg difference with the hubs unlocked. Not much, but it's something. The weather changes affect my mpg more than anything else.

 

[getrdone52]

Hey sorry to bring up an old thread I found this in the search bar but if you buy manual hubs can you still use 4x4 Lo? Or is it in 4x4 hi whenever they are locked?

 

[shovelmike]

Your 4x4 hi and 4x4 low will work as before, the manual hubs simply give you manual control over whether your hubs are locked or unlocked. I'll take manuals any day, if the weather is messy to the extent that you suspect that you will use 4x4 often just leave them locked, the impact on gas mileage is not that bad and a click of the switch has you 4 wheeling.

 

[getrdone52]

So if the switch is on 2wd and the hubs are locked what will it do? And if its in 4x4 hi and hubs are locked and I want it in 4 Lo do I just put the switch into lo? Just one more stupid question! Will my 4x4 lights blink on my dash still if I do this? Thanks

 

[cr_the_machinist]

So if the switch is on 2wd and the hubs are locked what will it do? And if its in 4x4 hi and hubs are locked and I want it in 4 Lo do I just put the switch into lo? Just one more stupid question! Will my 4x4 lights blink on my dash still if I do this? Thanks

So if the switch is on 2wd and the hubs are locked what will it do?
A: The front axle will be disengaged from the driveline (at the t-case) and the front axle will spin freely if the hubs are engaged. There is no issue doing this for a short to moderate period of time. Leaving them engaged all the time will only cause unnecessary wear.


And if its in 4x4 hi and hubs are locked and I want it in 4 Lo do I just put the switch into lo?
A: Do the normal procedure.... Come to a full stop and shift into neutral. Once you have done that, it is now safe it transfer the 4 low.

Will my 4x4 lights blink on my dash still if I do this?
A: No, it will not.


I have these hubs installed on my '99 and they're great. These are a much better option than permanently locking the pulse vacuum hubs (a good quick and temporary fix though). Before engaging and after disengaging these hubs it's a good idea the gingerly rock the truck back and forth before you continue driving. I've had mine for a good 4 years now with no issues to report.

I bypassed the vacuum lines to the solenoid valve the actuates the factory hubs. They are tee'd off of the HVAC vacuum line, under the coolant/windshield washer reservoirs. Also, I removed the old, dry rotted vacuum hoses the route into the steering knuckle and sealed the steel line with vacuum plugs.