My ranger has lock out hubs (I have to go out and engage them both before using the 4wd) was wondering if it was possible to switch over to (not sure of the term) non lock outs where all i do is flip my 4wd switch. I cant afford to do anything new to the ranger for a while but the idea hit me the other day.

Also a friend of mine bought a 2wd ranger and was wondering if it is possible to put 4wd in it, I figure if so it wouldn't be worth the $.

 

id rather have the lock outs.

 

i dont know about the lockouts(well i do but someone knowledgeable will give better advice)

but your buddy witha 2wd ranger would be better selling his and buying a 4wd.

 

why so?

Im just lazy.../shrug

 

the lockouts are stronger and are less likely to break when you need them.

 

plus they dont vaccuum up mud whenever you get stuck in a hole and switch into 4wd

 

That's why you engage 4wd before entering questionable terrain!

The "lock outs" you are referring to are actually manually locking hubs. Each wheel is bolted to a hub. Your Ranger has locking hubs on the front wheels. When four-wheel drive is not engaged, the locking hubs are used to disconnect the front wheels from the front differential, half-shafts (the shafts that connect the differential to the hub) and driveshaft. This allows the differential, half-shafts and driveshaft to stop spinning when the truck is in two-wheel drive, saving wear and tear on those parts and improving fuel-economy.

The newer Rangers have automatic locking hubs that engage when the driver switches into four-wheel drive. This type of system can usually be engaged while the vehicle is moving.

There really is no advantage to switching to auto-locking hubs, other than maybe not having to get your shoes dirty to lock the hubs in by hand. Just consider it an excuse to check tire pressure while outside of the truck before entering 4wd terrain.

 

2001 and up Rangers have a live axle in the front meaning the axle shafts and drive shaft spin all the time and when you engage 4wd it only engages at the transfer case.

 

yeah i realize that.. but what if i want to try it in 2wd first! its more fun when you dont know if you are gonna make it through!

 

since you have a TTB suspension, when the manual "lockouts" are unlocked, your truck is a 2wd truck......there is NO way to make your truck NOT have the lockouts unless you rip out ALL the front suspension......

 

You can lock the hubs and still have 2WD. You do not have 4WD until the transfer case is engaged while the hubs are locked.

I don't know if it is advisable to run the hubs locked long term. The 2001+ Rangers are designed to have the front differential turning all the time but the pre-97 models may not stand up to having the front drive-train running all the time but it certainly should not hurt short term.

Yes, you can also have 2WD with the transfer case engaged and the hubs unlocked.

 

it doesn't hurt anything.....all it does is turn the axle and carrier...

 

x2 . It also keeps everything lubed better vary rarely when I had the blazer did I unlock them ...OP just keep them locked if you need 4x4 just push switch and go even locked your still 2WD until the tranfer case engauges ....

 

you realize you can drive around all day with your front hubs locked right? you lose MPG but oh well.... thats up to you... or if you know your going mudding before yuo leave the driveway lock them... or if its snowy out yadadyadyady

 

That makes since..thanks to all for explaining and not bashing me.