1998 Ranger 4x4 with brand new manual locking hubs. The transfer case engages front drive shaft spins but the front end does not engage. There is no noises from the front end so it appears nothing is broken I've googled it with no answers and I've search the forums with no luck. Anyone have an idea what it could be or where the heck to go from here.?

 

What brand of locking hub? Did you switch the hub to 'Lock' position prior to install?
A couple of months ago I bought a set of AVM manual lockers for my 1999. One of the hubs went on easily and switch between lock and free normally . The second hub I had problems
when installed where the outer splines would not engage with the splines on the hub. As I tried to push the locker onto the wheel hub (while in lock position), the outer mechanism
of the locker would just get pushed back into the locker, rather than meshing with the wheel hub splines. I had to take a tri-corner file and ease the edges of each tooth on the outer spline of the AVM hub.
Not the whole length of the spline, just sort of put a chamfer on the ends. It seems to work fine now.
My guess is that one or more of the splines had a burr that was keeping it form engaging the wheel hub.

 

+1 ^^^^

The front axle is an OPEN type, this mean BOTH wheels must be Locked or neither will engage
So best guess is that one wheel is not locked

 

They are the Mile Marker hubs. Is there a tool or a way to take the hubs off with out wrecking the plastic part? Im going to remove them and inspect the splines just to be sure there isnt some damage or who know what. Sorry for the late response Life and Work got a little over whelming