Locking hub delete?

[Gonchar]

I want to get new wheels, but don't want the huge locking hubs sticking out. I see some Rangers and B2s that have wheels with center holes way smaller than mine. Obviously there are differences between 2WD and 4WD, but I thought all the hub bores were the same for the second gens?

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Nope if you want 4wd you are kinda stuck with them. Depending on the style of wheel the center hole can vary.

 

[4x4junkie]

Rangers after mid-2000 (or any 2WD truck) don't have locking hubs, which is probably what you saw.

Be glad you don't have a '96 or older Ford full size 4WD... The Ranger hubs are rather small by comparison.

Best suggestion I have to "hide" them is to get a set of '95-'97 Ranger hub caps & lug nuts or '91-'94 STX/Explorer wheels. The hub caps on these fit around the hub with the end flush (or if you can't find those, some careful work with a Dremel or similar tool on any '98-'11 hub cap should produce a similar look).
:

 

[Gonchar]

I was just wondering if i could have a hub setup that wasn't so huge. Maybe try to make something?

I was looking at this thing. It's obviously 2WD

2 more things:

1.)How much space is there between the front suspension and the bump stops at stock height?
2.)Can I buy the ground effects on the Bronco in the picture somewhere online? Or would I have to cut them off of a Bronco that already has them?

 

[Captain Ledd]

When you're trying to get that custom, one-off look, you end up doing a lot of custom, one-off work.

Not sue if the hubs could be hidden, but possibly have the end machined off and some of the internal parts welded together or bushed/splined/pinned together to the housing for a permanent 4wd solution. Effectively removing the space for the selector knob. How feasible or practical that venture is, I have no idea.

Can't answer about the suspension heights right now.

I also suspect that body kit might be a custom fiberglass project. It's not the highest resolution, but it looks like there's some Bondo work in front of the rear fender.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Bronco II XLS had bottom molding like that, I have never seen one in real life but I think it is fiberglass.

 

[4x4junkie]

1.)How much space is there between the front suspension and the bump stops at stock height?

I've seen it vary.

Some have a paltry 1.5" (like my '94 Ranger had when I bought it new), I've seen others with close to 3".
IMO, 3" is about where it should be (or putting it more precisely, having your axle beam pivot bolts right at 1" higher off the ground than the centerline of your wheel hubs). This keeps everything in the suspension centered in it's travel, with the steering linkage angle where it should be.