Hi,

I have a 99 ranger with the fabulous pvh hubs. I am going to temporarily remove 4x4 while I get the Dixon long travel kit, but am wondering how/if I can run my front hubs with some sort of stub shaft.

The axles for pvh hubs DO NOT have a nut on the end of it right? I haven't taken the front hub/axle assembly apart yet, so don't know how it goes together, but how does the hub stay together if there is no nut keeping preload on the bearing?

Is it possible to take out the axles and run a bolt through the hubs to keep preload? I have heard of someone doing this, but making sure if it's possible...

OR is the only option to spend money and get the 2001+ hubs/rotor setup? Thanks and let me know what you think.

-Victor

 

Why are you removing 4x4 at all?

You can take the CV joints apart if you wish to run without the entire halfshaft. Pull the outer boot apart and disassemble the joint, leaving the outer section in the hub.

Or you can also take the 01+ hub/bearing setup. You do not need the bigger rotors but it is not a bad idea if you grab new/used knuckles and everything. A simple swap is just the hub/bearing unit and the axle shaft from a 00.5+ ranger, 95-01 explorer or 01-05 sport trac, they are all the same. IF you get the knuckles and larger rotors, be advised that some 15" wheels will not clear the calipers. I believe most aftermarket wheels will though.

With the long travel 4x4, you may actually wish to keep the selectable hubs up front. AVM or Rugged Ridge sells manual hubs for the PVH hubs. The only real downside is how they are held on, they can pop off with torque. One member here with the DBR kit uses zip-ties to hold the hubs on. Looks silly but it works. Plus when he breaks a CV joint he can unlock the hub and drive the truck.

 

It's really a mixed up situation that i have to temporarily remove the 4x4!

So currently I have the Superlift kit up front and going to take it off soon and go back to stock. I have the stock knuckles on the way, but I found out last night that i also NEED the stock driver side bracket for the front diff. So unless I find that bracket, I'm going to just remove the front diff for now. On top of that, I've been having some squeeky noises up front and replaced the idler/tensioner pulley/belt to only find that the noise was coming from the front driveshaft! So i also need to service the front driveshaft...!

Long story short, I will take the front diff off (until i find that stock differential bracket), and take apart the CV's like you said. However, when i get the Dixon kit, I will be running a live setup to keep it reliable and simple. Thanks for your help!

 

Ahh okay that makes sense. What a pain!
If you stock driveshaft has been used with a superlift, it might just be better to buy a driveshaft off of a stock junked ranger, in my opinion.

I prefer live axles too since they are stronger and simple, but some people prefer the ability to unlock the hubs if they break a CV joint.

 

Hit a junkyard, you should be able to find a driveshaft and the bracket pretty easily.

 

I think i tracked down a diff bracket from a forum member. As for the front driveshaft, it's actually a Superlift shaft... Must be time to replace the u-joints.