Do 98+ Rangers have 4wd shift levers, or only push button?

[HankG]

Hi, I'm in the market for a Ranger, probably 93-2000 to fit my needs and budget. I read on the history page about the 98 Rangers having push button 4x4; is this optional or mandatory for that generation? If mandatory, does it still at least have low range? Also, is there a significant difference in off-road ability between the third and fourth generations? I almost certainly won't be going above 33" tires, and maybe just 31" for a while, and it'll be mostly mud, snow, or sand driving. I know that the Rangers switched from TTB to IFS, but I don't know how much that actually matters for lightly modified trucks.

Thanks for any help.

 

[edgerunner]

to my knowledge it comes on all of them i think it was the first year they did only push buttons and yes you will still have low range just like all the others...might wanna wait for another reply to confirm the button lever question

 

[88gt]

my 99 has a switch in the dash for 2wd/4 hi/4lo. i believe that was the only thing available at the time. the electric shift hasnt failed me yet. but has others here. some just swap out to a manual t-case. the big sore spot on that generation ranger is the auto hubs. they are vacuum actuated and eventualy fail dueto dry rot or lousy construction. an upgrade to manual hubs is preferred and that runs around 120-160 bucks. well worth it in my opinion. i converted them, it is a lot of piece of mind to know that they will be there when yo need them! the earlier rangers before 98 have the availability of a manual t-case. the 98-00 have electric. happy ranger hunting!! and welcome to trs!!

 

[Chance]

98-00 4x4 rangers ALL (without exception) came from the factory with electric shift t-cases and a knob on the dash.

Same with the 01+ except for the fx4 like 03-04 or something like that had the manual transfercase.

Had a salesman at the fraud dealersh.... wait ford dealership claim that you can order a new ranger with a manual t-case... you just gotta request it. idk if that's true or not.

As for off road capabitlity... 98+ sucks. Worst platform ever to build on too. Handles great on the road though. I wish I had ttb rather than sla though.

But I must give my truck credit... it does surprise me and takes all my abuse... so I can't complain too much.

 

[mjonesjr]

The ONLY late model Rangers to roll off the assembly line with a manual transfer case was select '02 FX4 and '03 FX4 Level II with a manual transmission.

 

[kshack11]

the 98 does have crap auto hubs, but dont worry about it. either make the auto manual by doing what i did and it works great( http://www.ford-trucks.com/article/...r_19982000_Ford_Ranger_Pulse_Vacuum_Hubs.html ) and its completely free and easy or spend a little money on the manual locking hubs. By the way i dont know what chance is talking about by my 98 tears it up in the mud and the beach, i only have 31s. The electric t-case is fine. i've never had any trouble with it.

 

[mwood1985]

ill second that on chances comment about 98+ 4wd rangers being crap..BULLLLLLLLLSHHHHHIIIIIIIIII.......ive put my 2001 through hell and suprised alot of hardcore wheelers with it. its more the driver than anything else. my 96 dosent feel as firm and predictable from the front end offroad as my 2001. i choose to wheel the IFS every time

 

[Fx4wannabe01]

**My post is regarding 98+ IFS trucks...**

IMO, get a 2000 4.0 w/ live axles. The OHV is a better stronger (IMO) engine compared to the SOHC. And we all know that live axles > PVH problematic crap system. With liveaxles, it's virtually failproof. You click it into 4, you've got 4wd. 100% locked in hubs. But don't let that scare you....I read that ford saw a loss of mpg of 0.05%. Won't even tell. You can easily swap in a manual tcase into it too....most if not all 98-00's have the threaded bosses for the tcase linkage. 01+, NO manuals have the threads...only 02 Fx4OR and 03 FX4LII w/ manual....super rare vehicles. All 98+ Rangers have a dash switch for the Tcase. Only the 02 Fx4OR and 02 Fx4LevelII with manual trans got the manual tcase. Of course, IDK what trans your looking for.

Torsion crank and 32x11.50's fit great. And looks awesome too...without going too big on the tire size. some run 33x12.50's with some trimming...but I think that's just too stuffed. 31's look too small to me.

 

[Toms01PSD]

Where do you live and how much are you looking to spend?

 

[HankG]

Thanks for all the replies, everyone. I was kind of hoping the 98+ still had manual transfer cases, but I suppose technology moves on. I'm in northern California and looking to spend around 3k. Might be limited to the 93-97 trucks with that, but who knows.

 

[Chance]

Eh, to clarify... I require a lil bit more out of my off-road truck... so yes, in mild wheeling, the ifs does great and I haven't broke it yet... But ifs doesn't do the job I want it to do(hence the sas).