new method 4 locking pneumatic hubs permently 99" ranger

[Mrnicks]

Ok, I want to do away with the pneumatic system and I read the tutorial on how too do it. And, after taking the hub off I can see how it works and my question is... If you engage the hub by pushing on the white piece on the inside and then install it on the truck and remove your vaccuum line and plug it on both sides shouldn't it stay engaged? What is there to make it disengage? It seems the spring force is greater in the engage position than the disengage position. What do you guys think of this idea?

 

[srteach]

It stays engaged like a click type ball point pen.
What you say bout the springs is true. You definitely want the vacuum lines plugged to reduce / eliminate dirt infiltration into the hub.
Do you really want full time locked in 4WD? Lower fuel economy and reduced turning radius will be the result.

 

[metalmacguyver]

It would not be locked in 4x4. Since the front and rear axles are not connect through the tcase, the turning radius would not be affected.

You method of locking the hubs will work just fine.

 

[Mrnicks]

Cool, that's what I thought. I'm gonna try it and I'll let you guys know how it turns out.

 

[Sasquatch_Ryda]

Do you really want full time locked in 4WD? Lower fuel economy and reduced turning radius will be the result.

The 2000+ trucks are all live axle, no locking hubs. It doesn't effect turning radius. Might hinder gas millage a bit, but not anything that noticeable.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

The newer ones have the "hubs" locked in full time anyway. With CV joints the drag is minimal.