PVH won't disengage

[DirtyDan]

I recently bought another Ranger, it's a 1998 4.0 XLT 4x4 5spd. I have recently noticed that my front hubs won't disengage. Also, the A/C blows on the defrost and when switched the Max A/C doesn't open the recirc door behind the glovebox. Oh but wait, if not to complete the Triad of a vacuum leak the truck idles like dog crap and gets HORRIBLE gas mileage. I've tried looking for vacuum leaks and am a little lost. I've disconnected the line that is Red and connects to a black line just on the passenger side of the engine (pic). The Red Line pulls a strong vacuum, but I have no vacuum from that connection on. Any tips would help a lot!

 

[The_Epsicle]

The disconnected line your holding in that picture looks just like the vacuum line for a fuel pressure regulator on my 1994. If you're not sure if vacuum line leaks are causing your bad idle I'd cover the ports on your tree and see if that makes it go away. I thought I had leaks from my vaccum lines when I originally got my truck, turns out there was no upper intake manifold gasket! As for the hubs, I don't know too much on that and just direct people to the tech articles. Hopefully someone more knowledgeable can swing by than myself.

Here's the tech article for troubleshooting PVH hubs: http://www.therangerstation.com/tech_library/troubleshoot-fix_pvh_hubs.shtml

EDIT: Now I realize you've been a member longer than I have, and probably knew where the tech articles were... sorry.