picking up a 94 4x4. oddball questions about making it permanently 4x4

[RossBeef87]

alright here we go. looking for a link to permanently lock the hubs and also looking to find a way to make the transfer case always in 4 high. I hate push button 4x4. I'm only using it to plow my driveway, no road action at all except to maybe do my neighbors driveways. say I were to drive it a few miles on dry pavement would I be risking anything? like I said the push button is just not as reliable. I owned a 96 explorer that only had 4x4 auto and low, no high. it was awful. it didnt have 4wd while in reverse. worst setup ever. any suggestions, links, videos, transfer case conversions, anything is appreciated. thanks in advance!

 

[brinker88]

get lock out hubs, lock them in, and don't touch them. As for 4x4, look at buying the Shiftster.

 

[RossBeef87]

will the shiftster work on my model truck? all I'm seeing is broncos on their site with no list of applications.

 

[RossBeef87]

but if so thats an awesome setup

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

It works. I have it on my race truck.

 

[4x4junkie]

I wouldn't drive it more than a couple blocks on pavement in 4x4 (and don't ever turn sharp), otherwise you stand some chance of breaking axle and/or t-case parts.


On Rangers, it's the auto hubs that are usually more problematic than the electric shift t-case (I ran the e-shift on my BII for a few years before I swapped a manual-shift t-case in. During that time I never had a problem with it).
What I would suggest is either simply get yourself a set of manual lockout hubs for your axle, or if you take apart your auto hubs, there is a way you can lock them in permanently (by reversing a spring or some other part in there, I forget exactly how... SHould be fairly obvious I would think if you have some mechanical inclination), and run them always locked (using just the t-case to shift in & out of 4WD for those short jaunts).

If the e-shift setup ever does give you an issue, then like others suggested, put a Shiftster on it, done.

 

[adsm08]

Yeah, get manual hubs on it, throw it in 4-hi, and then unplug the shift motor. Lock and unlock the hubs as needed. Odds are good that you will want to take it to a gas station at some point.

 

[FritzTKatt]

Are you just trying to lock it permanently to avoid breakage? Or what?

Manual hubs and a shiftster will definitely keep you in the clear. For plowing, manual hubs (preferably warn jeep hubs, stronger) are a must.

The e-shift is pretty reliable, I've had mine completely submerged so many times... It takes its sweet time but doesn't fail me. The guy I bought it off of rode it hard and put it away wet too. You should be fine, the motor isn't what breaks from the usage, per se. You'll break more things from plowing and being in 4x4 on the street.

Could also hammer a socket onto the shifter post on the t-case and use a ratchet to shift...