Why does this happen? Took my 97' Ranger for a little mud play yesterday and got stuck. While trying to get the ole girl out, I heard a "pop" and noticed the hub had broke on the drivers side. While using the winch to pull her out, the drivers side wheel, where the hub broke, was not rolling. After getting her out, I took off the wheel and removed all the broken hub pieces and put the wheel back on. It seemed to roll as usual so I drove her home (about 2 miles). Is there anything I should be looking for before putting a new hub kit on?

 

Yes, check that axle is not locked up, differential issue or u-joint/CV

Hub lock is suppose to be weak link in the system, so most likely something happen to lock axle on that side.
Could be AVM just broke but check out the rest before replacing.

Transfer case in 2WD, other AVM hub unLocked, front drive shaft should be easy to turn by hand
Lock AVM and try to turn again, should still turn fairly easy
Front differential is OPEN type so easiest axle to turn gets the power, with 1 HUB locked the other axle becomes the easiest to turn.
4 wheel drive is actually 3 wheel drive from the factory, lol.

 

Well that's just messed up...hahaha
I tested what you said (RonD) and everything seems to be fine on those parts.
So I just need to replace the manual locking hubs?
I though Rugged Ridge hubs were a pretty good brand and maybe they are. I bought these Rugged Ridge hubs off of eBay so that was probably my first mistake.
What brand would you suggest that I put back on?

 

1998 to 2000 Rangers could only use AVM(Rugged Ridge) manual hubs, replaced Ford Factory PVH(pulse vacuum hubs)

1997 and earlier would be best using Warn manual hubs, so not sure why you would have AVMs?
Maybe a late 1997 model, if so you have no other option than AVM.

yes, AVMs seem to be fairly bullet proof, anything mechanical can break of course, just not alot of posts about it happen with the AVMs

 

I will be receiving the new hubs today. I got the WARN 29071 Standard Manual Hubs along with the WARN 32720 Spindle Nut Kit. I also found this: http://www.therangerstation.com/tech..._hubswap.shtml is this a good write up on the conversion procedure?

 

Yes, that is a good article

My concern is that you have the 1998 hub design on a 1997 Ranger, so maybe a late 1997 built Ranger

AVM made manual hubs for many years and models of vehicles, but as far as I know they only made one model that fit Rangers, and only 1998 to 2000 PVH model hub Rangers

Here is what those hubs look like: 1998-2000 Ford Ranger Rugged Ridge (AVM) Locking Hubs

You already have the article on what 1997 and earlier hubs should look like