BY: 4x4Junkie
After a solid 19 years of faithful service from my Warn 4WD Locking Hubs (the pt# 37780 “Jeep” hubs I previously reported on HERE), I finally managed to break a passenger side hub climbing up a rock face.
While looking for a replacement, I found to my dismay that Warn no longer sells the hubs. However, it popped up in my searches that AVM (a company from Brazil) now has a set of “Xtreme Performance” hubs available for Rangers & Explorers with the TTB Dana 35 front axle.
AVM has long-had 4WD hubs for the limited run of 1998-2000 A-arm IFS Rangers, so it certainly perked up my curiosity to see these.
As was the case with the Warn hubs, there are two versions available: AVM pt# 465HP, and # 465XP. The 465HP appears to be a replacement for Warn’s pt# 29071, while the 465XP replaces Warn #37780.
With AVM basically being the only choice now, I purchased a set of the 465XP hubs (like the Warn hubs, they are sold in pairs).
Unlike the Warn hubs (which have a body made from a type of alloy), the AVM XP hubs are made from cast steel (verified with a magnet), making them 3/4-pound heavier.
The locking dial at first glance looks like it might be (red painted) cast metal, but (like the Warn) it is plastic.
Visually looking them over, I see nothing in my opinion to suggest they couldn’t stand up at least as well as the Warns to offroad (ab)use. But time will tell…
AVM includes an “Auto-to-Manual hub conversion kit” (spindle nut kit) with each set of hubs (something Warn always charged extra for), which consists of two new wheel bearing locknuts and a locking washer for each side. Since I already had manual hubs, I held onto my old hardware. Having spares is nice (I did have a locknut break one time in the past while servicing the bearings).
The AVM hub employs a slightly simpler internal mechanism than the Warn. The locking dial both pushes and pulls the clutch gear (seen here inside the hub) in & out of engagement with the inner gear (removed from hub), whereas the Warn only pushes the clutch gear into engagement with the inner gear (relying on a spring to disengage the gear)
As I write this, so far I have put two good wheeling trips on these hubs (Oct. 2024, one trip on Swamp Lake trail, and one trip to Coyote Lake Trail, both quite-rugged trails in California’s Sierra Mtns.), along with multiple more-local trips, which so far has easily proven their strength is superior to the old #29071 Warn hubs.
I will be sure to submit updates here if any events happen, or if I receive reports of breakage from other users.
For information on attaching the hub to your rotor with screws as seen above, see this link:
Securing your front 4WD hubs to the rotors – The Ranger Station
You can find these hubs at:
AVM 465 XP Ford Ranger Explorer 1990-1997 Mazda B4000 Lock outs Hubs EXTREME!! – C&C Equipment LLC
Jim Oaks is the founder of TheRangerStation.com, the longest-running Ford Ranger resource online since 1999. With over 25 years of hands-on experience building and modifying Ford Rangers — including magazine-featured builds like Project Transformer — Jim has become one of the most trusted authorities in the Ford Ranger off-road and enthusiast space. In 2019, he was loaned a Ranger FX4 by Ford Motor Company to test and document across the TransAmerica Trail. Jim continues to inspire and guide Ranger owners around the world.