i have a 1999 ford ranger 4x4, and I'm having problems with my 4 wheel drive. when i put it in 4 when drive, it locks in at the transfer case, but the front wheels don't lock in. any advice?

 

i wanna say it's a vacum problem. either there is a vacum leak and they are not engaging the hub or the hubs are bad. please wait for others to chim in. i think it's a vacum problem but i forget what year they went to live axel in the front.

if it turns out to be the hubs, man up and get the manual locking ones from warn or whoever else makes them.

 

thats what i wanna do anyways!

 

Go with the manual like morris says. You will never have an issue with them. Just a pain sometimes to lock them in instead of on the fly like the vacuum ones. Much more reliable then the crappy vacuum one's from Ford, less expensive too.

 

I thought you can only get manual hubs on the 98 and older 4x4's?

 

It's what I run. Never had a problem with them. Granted I used 98 4x4 parts to convert my truck to 4x4, that's why I have these as I couldn't use the vacuum system.

Save yourself the headache of PVH and just get the Rugged Ridge ones.

15001.70 - AVM - NOW SHIPPING - Ford Ranger Manual Locking Hubs PAIR - AVM Manual Locking Hub PAIR For 1997-00 Ford Rangers : Tellico 4x4

EDIT: The description says 97-00, that is incorrect. It's actually 98- early 2000.

EDIT 2: Cheaper price

http://www.jeepsandstuff.com/15001-70.html

Reputable seller

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/RGG-1500170/

 

I had the same problem on my 99, There is vacuum lines running in to the back of the hub, check them for cracks or switch to manual hubs.

 

this was why i said for the OP to wait. i wasn't sure if it was 98 or 99. i knew others would know fo sho but i put him in the right direction.

 

also check the acutator that locks the front hubs sometimes they go bad...i think its mounted on the front diff

 

Yep its most likely the Vacuum hubs not locking in. Its a common problem during the 98-00 years. Get the AVM hubs from Rugged Ridge very reliable, I've got them on mine. You can switch it to 4wd on the fly you just have to make sure the hubs are locked in.