So I wanted to make sure my 4x4 was working so I did the following test. I left it in 2wd and checked if the front axle spun freely. It did. Turned it to 4Hi and checked the front axle. No spin great! Then I tried to turn the front CV axles. No spin. Does this mean that my hubs (auto) indeed locked or does it just verify the front diff is engaged? Did the same thing in 4Lo and with the same results. I didn't want to left each tire and try to spin it so I thought by trying to spin the CV axle it would verify the hub engaged. Am I right? Also if the hubs don't engage would the 4x4 light blink? Oh, yeah I don't have any trails near by to check so that is not an option. Thanks

 

you have a 1998 go buy some AVM/Rugged Ridge Hubs that can be found on the internet that will solve the crappy PVH hubs

if the t-case isnt engaging try this

http://www.therangerstation.com/tech...shiftmotor.htm

 

The auto hubs in the older Ranger engage when there is torque transferred to them. You don't have to be moving. The OP has vacuum hubs on his truck that engage with engine vacuum is introduced to them.

 

So how do I know if my hubs are engaging?

 

your 2008 does not even have hubs at all. its live axle.. the cv's and front diff always turns... the only thing that engages and disengages is the t-case shift motor.. which will engage with out moving you can here it lock..


there junk anyways just order the AVM..

 

2001 and up Rangers don't have hubs at all. It's a CV joint and shaft that spins the front driveshaft all the time. The only locking going on is in the trasfercase.

The easiest way to check your hubs is a lift or jack stands. Raise the truck and put it in 4wd and see if the tires spin. If they don't then it's most likely your hubs. They are known to fail.

 

Hell yeah you can. It's a "clunk" sound or mine is. My question is I never understood wtf a hub does. Would i benefit having them on my 2001? I know our 2006 F-250 has hubs that say "lock" and "auto."

Hub knowledge escapes me.

 

With manual hubs you can unlock them so your axle isn't allways spinning and wearing the parts out plus it can improve gas milage since there is less resistance. When I got the AVM hubs I thought they were totally worth it, it greatly lightened up steering and I got almost a half a mpg increase.

 

So that "auto" setting is torque based?

 

Where do you have an Auto setting?

 

on the 250? could be i never play with full size..

the old ttb rangers where kinda like that also..

 

I know on my buddy's 04 Exploder the Auto setting, which is the closest to 2wd that you can get, locks the front wheels in whenever it senses tire spin. It kind of crappy when you are on ice and when you hit the gas you get half a second of wheel spin then clunk and you lurch forward. Ford FTL once again.

 

no offense, but if you dont plan on actually using your 4wd whyd you get a 4wd truck

 

I do tons of snowboarding, also back at my parents their are plenty of trails just none close by here at college.