Milemarker vs Rugged Ridge for PVH hub replacement?

[fastpakr]

I was planning to swap in a set of Rugged Ridge manual hubs on my '99 in the next month or so after completing the V8 swap. However, I noticed yesterday that Mile Marker also makes a set (MMK426). Has anybody here had experience with both, or looked at both designs up close to compare them?

 

[Craig0320]

I was planning to swap in a set of Rugged Ridge manual hubs on my '99 in the next month or so after completing the V8 swap. However, I noticed yesterday that Mile Marker also makes a set (MMK426). Has anybody here had experience with both, or looked at both designs up close to compare them?

I do not know about the mile marker hubs but I have the rugged ridge hubs. Looking at the pics they are very similar. I am wondering if mile marker bought an old rugged ridge patent The only problem I am having is my fault. I left it locked in for about 2,000 miles until I realized the grinding noise was not my wheel bearing . It still functions but I have to force it to lock. You could always swap in expo axles and hubs for 170 brand new on ebay and convert to live axle.

Edit: I looked at the pictures again and they look exactly the same.

 

[fastpakr]

There were some references to internal differences between them, but I obviously can't verify that.

The live axle swap is an option, and was the route I was leaning towards. However, quite a few of the guys running the 4406 on the Explorer forums have run into vibrations coming from the front shaft afterward, presumably due to the greater angle caused by the transfer case being further outboard. The manual hub option allows me to ignore that problem for normal use. A little bit of vibration when I actually need 4x4 doesn't really concern me.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

The live axle swap is an option, and was the route I was leaning towards. However, quite a few of the guys running the 4406 on the Explorer forums have run into vibrations coming from the front shaft afterward, presumably due to the greater angle caused by the transfer case being further outboard. The manual hub option allows me to ignore that problem for normal use. A little bit of vibration when I actually need 4x4 doesn't really concern me.

That was my knee jerk reaction too. I hadn't thought about the t-case being wider. Do those have CV front driveshafts?

Some t-cases don't like being ran all the time either.

 

[fastpakr]

Yep, I've already got the case and linkage ready to go. Some people use the front shaft off the 1st gen Explorers because it's got a double cardan setup and apparently works a bit better. I've got a shaft from an F150 that supposedly works but I'll confirm once the case is in place.

Apparently the 4406 front output is about an inch further out than the AWD case.

 

[planeflyer21]

There were some references to internal differences between them, but I obviously can't verify that.

The live axle swap is an option, and was the route I was leaning towards. However, quite a few of the guys running the 4406 on the Explorer forums have run into vibrations coming from the front shaft afterward, presumably due to the greater angle caused by the transfer case being further outboard. The manual hub option allows me to ignore that problem for normal use. A little bit of vibration when I actually need 4x4 doesn't really concern me.

I just did the live axle swap on my '99 Ranger.

I can't speak as to how it works with the engine/drive train swap but I'm very pleased with it so far.

Adios PVH hubs!

 

[fastpakr]

They're definitely going away, I'm just at a fork in the road for their replacement. Outside of the drivetrain swap I'd probably go live axle. With it, the manual hubs is rising to the top.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Yep, I've already got the case and linkage ready to go. Some people use the front shaft off the 1st gen Explorers because it's got a double cardan setup and apparently works a bit better. I've got a shaft from an F150 that supposedly works but I'll confirm once the case is in place.

Apparently the 4406 front output is about an inch further out than the AWD case.

I have heard people like the double cardian better. My '95 D35 came with one, I might run it depending on how the pieces fall in place.

 

[fastpakr]

Hopefully I'll have some knowledge of how the front shaft works in the next 48 hours. Taking tomorrow off to try to get the motor in while the weather is good.

 

[blueovals]

I just purchased my first 4×4 ranger. Ive had several 2.3 2wds and finally found a deal on a 99 extended cab 4x4 with the 3.0. The lady i bought it from thought the wheel bearings were going out in the front. They are not. It growls going down the road. Increases with speed. Almost feels like the front brakes are dragging when letting off the gas. Checked the brakes out and they seem fine. Upper ball joints are shot and will be replaced promptly but i dont think thats causing the noise. From the limited searching my "smart" phone will allow me to do here i think its the pvh hubs. Is this one of the symptoms? If so i was told switching to manual hubs requires leaving them locked. That doesnt sound right. Any insight?

 

[pjtoledo]

They're definitely going away, I'm just at a fork in the road for their replacement. Outside of the drivetrain swap I'd probably go live axle. With it, the manual hubs is rising to the top.

a plus for live axle swap is you can get 12" rotors, but not all 15" wheels will fit over them.
whether you use 11.25" or 12" rotors is determined by the knuckle. both use the same calipers & pads.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

There were some references to internal differences between them, but I obviously can't verify that.

The live axle swap is an option, and was the route I was leaning towards. However, quite a few of the guys running the 4406 on the Explorer forums have run into vibrations coming from the front shaft afterward, presumably due to the greater angle caused by the transfer case being further outboard. The manual hub option allows me to ignore that problem for normal use. A little bit of vibration when I actually need 4x4 doesn't really concern me.

You might try this for free before you do anything, if the vibration isn't bad then go live. If it is get manual hubs.

http://www.therangerstation.com/how-to/axles/permanently-lock-your-98-00-pvh-hubs/

I just purchased my first 4×4 ranger. Ive had several 2.3 2wds and finally found a deal on a 99 extended cab 4x4 with the 3.0. The lady i bought it from thought the wheel bearings were going out in the front. They are not. It growls going down the road. Increases with speed. Almost feels like the front brakes are dragging when letting off the gas. Checked the brakes out and they seem fine. Upper ball joints are shot and will be replaced promptly but i dont think thats causing the noise. From the limited searching my "smart" phone will allow me to do here i think its the pvh hubs. Is this one of the symptoms? If so i was told switching to manual hubs requires leaving them locked. That doesnt sound right. Any insight?

Never heard of having to leave manual hubs locked all the time.

 

[fastpakr]

You might try this for free before you do anything, if the vibration isn't bad then go live. If it is get manual hubs.

http://www.therangerstation.com/how-to/axles/permanently-lock-your-98-00-pvh-hubs/

Mine are currently rigged up to be manual by cutting out the outer screen from the hubs. The conversion works pretty well, but I was looking for a longer term solution. That's a good point about testing things out first. I can definitely lock them in and go for a drive.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0N6qUjq3py8

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Video no workie.

Yeah, if you can do that I would for sure try it. I would rather have it live than hubs if given the option.

 

[fastpakr]

YouTube embedding seems to be broken... Try clicking the link now.

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