I have a 94 Ranger 4x4 with the push button 4 wheel drive and manual lock outs. Which to me seems to defeat the purpose of having the push button 4x4 if you have to get out and lock it in. Can I swap a set of the auto hubs I've seen on the newer Rangers/Explorers onto my 94? If I can what will I all need besides the auto hubs? What years will fit or am I better off with new etc? I appreciate your time!

 

If you're talking about the vacuum hubs, they're plastic pieces of crap. you're better off leaving your hubs locked. but more power to ya if you want the vacuum. just my $.02

 

Seriously the auto hubs are sh********* keep the lock outs unless your truck never sees any time off road. Then go with the auto hubs for your year the vacum ones are junk

 

The truck may see some off road time but I doubt anything serious since its in such good shape. I only asked about the hubs because my wife also drives the truck and doesn't understand the concept of "locking" it in. We have owned several Dakotas where you just grab the lever and go. Thats what she is used to.

 

Ahhh I see I understand that. New auto hubs usually function very well how ever they are just as much of a hassle to use. Disengaging them requires you to drive in reverse for approx 10_20 feet (does not always work)

If you are going to have weather just lock them the night before they are work the hasle

 

No actually he is not. The TTB rangers/explorers had actual real hubs, not vacuum operated paper weights.

If he grabs a set of auto hubs from Rangers or Explorers that fall in the 1993-1997 year range, they are a direct swap. But they are garbage and I don't recommend doing it as they are weaker and very finicky.

If you don't like getting out to switch the hubs to engaged, I suggest you buy a post 1998 4x4 Ranger.

It surprises me how much RF people know about the earlier Rangers...they just assume they have always been the same suspension and use the same stuff...TTB is totally different than SLA IFS. None of it carries over.

 

I don't mind the manual hubs myself. I was just thinking of something easier for my wife who is not very vehicle savvy. I had someone else just tell me to leave the hubs locked in on it all the time. How bad does that affect the fuel mileage on it? I'm lucky to pull 16mpg with it now without the hubs in. I am really surprised how poor the fuel economy is on these trucks! As I stated earlier I am more of a Dakota person and my last 318 V8 4x4 dakota got 15-16. I expected 20 or better out a smaller truck with a smaller engine. Don't get me wrong I love the truck. It looks and drives like brand new still as it was a one owner truck. Another question? Can you get the transfer case into true neutral? I would like to tow it behind my motor home next summer when I go camping. The owners manual is missing for the truck. I bought it from a divorce situation and the husband stole the manual just to be mean because the wife got it in the divorce but I did get a killer deal on the truck because of that too!