just a few questions...FX4 vs. 4x4? and locking hubs

[351Mazda]

I had a 98 with the vacuum hubs a few years ago, I switched them to manual. The spring in there you have to break something off and put it back together, I forget how for sure. There was a write up on this site on how to do it, I can't find it now. Having a live axle is like driving around with the hubs locked all the time, no big deal performance wise.

 

[rangerdude91]

alright well i would rather have them locked and putting the power down like you guys have been saying

thanks alot

Nathan

 

[c_note]

Better shocks, skidplates, more offroad oriented gearing, and an OPTIONAL gear type Torson limited slip all in one package is what really matters. The rest is appearance stuff.

Shocks are wear items, gearing is still optional on lower models, skidplates are available on other models (I got mine off of an '86 XL) and a Torson still isn't a locker.

Anything with more aggressive tires, limited slip rear and 4x4 should be more than a contender for one.

If you are building a wheeler, the Torson, shocks and gearing will do nothing but increase the cost of your truck... because you won't be using them anyway.

Not to mention a dent in a older truck doesn't quite hurt as much as one you are still making payments on...

the newer trucks have a better 4.0, better manual and auto tranny and the bw1354 is stronger than the 1350. it also comes with a 31 spline 8.8 instead of the 28 spline.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

the newer trucks have a better 4.0, better manual and auto tranny and the bw1354 is stronger than the 1350. it also comes with a 31 spline 8.8 instead of the 28 spline.

And all of that is the same as if it was a regular XLT of the same year aside from the rear axle.

The ol' M5OD was nothing to laugh at for strength, and the OHC 4.0 would hang with most 5.0's so it really isn't an issue either. With its simpler valvetrain I would almost prefer it if I would out in the middle of nowhere anyway. It was about 1990 the 1354 came out so a '95 would have that as well. Even then, there isn't much difference in strength between them.

I got a 8.8 out of an Explorer disc to disc with springs for $100 that I can put any locker or limited slip in I want, so the FX4 8.8 doesn't particularly impress me as a selling feature.

A 83-97 truck is cheaper enough to lift that it would offset most of what the FX4 offers anyway, and the TTB D35 is a stronger axle than the IFS D35.

 

[Fx4wannabe01]

F the M5od. I blew mine up when I was stock. And yes, I know how to drive a manual, thank you. If I could put in a ZF, I would.

 

[c_note]

And all of that is the same as if it was a regular XLT of the same year aside from the rear axle.

The ol' M5OD was nothing to laugh at for strength, and the OHC 4.0 would hang with most 5.0's so it really isn't an issue either. With its simpler valvetrain I would almost prefer it if I would out in the middle of nowhere anyway. It was about 1990 the 1354 came out so a '95 would have that as well. Even then, there isn't much difference in strength between them.

I got a 8.8 out of an Explorer disc to disc with springs for $100 that I can put any locker or limited slip in I want, so the FX4 8.8 doesn't particularly impress me as a selling feature.

A 83-97 truck is cheaper enough to lift that it would offset most of what the FX4 offers anyway, and the TTB D35 is a stronger axle than the IFS D35.

im comparing these two as stock. and even a mildly built pre 98. face it, the Fx4 is better.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

im comparing these two as stock. and even a mildly built pre 98. face it, the Fx4 is better.

Stock for stock then yeah, the FX4 is better. Not stock face it, the FX4 gets made a fool of cost/performance wise pretty quick.

The way he made it sound he would keep the '95 around to play with in addition to the FX4, which I fully reccomend if you can afford it so you are not thrashing on your new truck/dd, and the '95 is a better/cheaper truck to modify and find parts for. If you can't afford to keep the '95 around, then keep in mind you probably can't afford to get too carried away wheeling the FX4 either. I don't care what it is, you will break something and walking to work until parts come in is no fun because you broke your only set of wheels.

 

[Hahnsb2]

im comparing these two as stock. and even a mildly built pre 98. face it, the Fx4 is better.

How?
Only thing it has going for it in my eyes is the 31 spline 8.8 and 4.10s...

 

[rangerdude91]

i am going to keep the 95 now, but if i didnt keep it, and i broke my newer truck i would always have my Mini Cooper to drive to work. But i also need to keep the 95 so my girlfriend can drive one of my trucks to school. i still want to get an FX4 and might lift it and put tires on it

Thanks for all the help guys

Nathan

 

[feellnfroggy]

Somone mentioned at hte beginning of the post about the vaccuum hubs. Do the 1993 auto hubs run off the vacuum setup as well?

 

[Toms01PSD]

Somone mentioned at hte beginning of the post about the vaccuum hubs. Do the 1993 auto hubs run off the vacuum setup as well?

No.

 

[Downey]

Somone mentioned at hte beginning of the post about the vaccuum hubs. Do the 1993 auto hubs run off the vacuum setup as well?

no like stated above they lock in when power is put to them

 

[rangerdude91]

well now i have found a friend that has a 2001 XLT 4X4 fully loaded with only 60,000 on it. automatic with a 4.0L. im going to see it tuesday and i want to find out what geas its has. ITS EVEN THE COLOR I WANT!!! he only want like $5500 for it and i was originaly looking at spending 12k on an FX4. i just cant pass this up, i have to wait like 2 months to get it. He really wasnt goning to sell it but he said he would sell it to me. ill try and get some pics of it.

FINALLY A VEHICAL THAT HAS AC AND POWER WINDOWS ON IT!!!! SWEET!!!!

Nathan