AVM Versus functioning Pulse Vacuum hubs

[mountainhorse]

I know that the topic of AVM manual conversion has been dealt with on forums already.

BUT... this is a differernt question.

I have already searched around this forum and was not able to find the answers that I'm looking for.

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Everything has its "pluses" and "minuses" ...

I understand that I will gain reliabilty when going to the manual hubs.

What are the drawbacks or disadvantages?

My 4x4 currently functions well as do the auto hubs. (1999 Ranger, xlt, 4x4, 4.0, 5 spd auto, tow package)

Will I be able to leave them locked in BUT with the 4x4 turned off on the dash while driving around town in the winter?

I need to replace the Hub assys (bad bearing on one side) anyway so I figured I'd do the AVM conversion at the same time.

So... If you have some input here I'd really appreciate it.

I've seen in some of the other threads that "Do the switch... you'll never look back"

... I'm wondering, though, what do I give up??

 

[Sasquatch_Ryda]

The only thing you will give up is having to get out of the truck to lock in the hubs.

Yes, you can leave the hubs locked in and run the truck in 2wd without any problems. The 2000+ trucks are all live axle (permanently locked) which is basically the same thing.

 

[Original_Ranger84]

you will lose MPG's going with the live axle setup though... the engine isn't turning the wheels but the wheels are still connected and turn everything else.

I keep hearing that the avm hubs eventually wear and break off for like no reason... I don't get why but they do in some cases.

If your pulse hubs are working just fine i wouldn't even bother with it.

 

[Downey]

I know that the topic of AVM manual conversion has been dealt with on forums already.

BUT... this is a differernt question.

I have already searched around this forum and was not able to find the answers that I'm looking for.

===============================================================================

Everything has its "pluses" and "minuses" ...

I understand that I will gain reliabilty when going to the manual hubs.

What are the drawbacks or disadvantages?

My 4x4 currently functions well as do the auto hubs. (1999 Ranger, xlt, 4x4, 4.0, 5 spd auto, tow package)

Will I be able to leave them locked in BUT with the 4x4 turned off on the dash while driving around town in the winter?

I need to replace the Hub assys (bad bearing on one side) anyway so I figured I'd do the AVM conversion at the same time.

So... If you have some input here I'd really appreciate it.

I've seen in some of the other threads that "Do the switch... you'll never look back"

... I'm wondering, though, what do I give up??

draw backs you have to get out to turn in the hubs.

yes you can leave them locked in i do this all winter on my 94. the only time i unlock them is if im going for a longer trip on the highway and i know i wont need them.

i will tell you this. if you get caught in a bad snow story and say you slide off the road into the ditch and you go for 4wd and you go to back out and your stock hubs fail you will wish you put the manual hubs in so you know when you turn them in you have 4wd. ask me how i know how that feels like lol

 

[srteach]

I have the exact same truck you have, with the AVM switch. You have to get out to turn them in, you do lose about 1.5 MPG with them locked in (in use or not), and you will have no problem leaving them locked in if you aren't using them (with the standard open differential, don't know about LS or locked diff).

Never had a problem engaging or disengaging them if I could get to the hub, and they have saved my butt on a few occasions.