Hi I'm new here, i am looking for help diagnosing the problem with the 4x4 on my "new to me" 1997 Ford Ranger.
Before buying it i made the assumption that i could swap in Manual hubs and have the 4x4 working for a reasonable amount of cost and effort but now I am worried that there might be more to it. The Truck switches into low gear which brings me to believe that the transfer case is functioning as it should and it is indeed the hubs.
What else can I do to Troubleshoot the issue? (I've searched and searched google and this forum but there isn't any sort of detailed troubleshooting available.)

are there any other aftermarket products to engage the hubs? something more convenient than manual and more reliable than vacuum?

 

I don't think you ever defined what "the problem" is...

 

woops!

problem = my front wheels don"t spin when i put it into 4x4

there's no sort of noises coming from everywhere.
the previous owner said it didn't work for the past 8 years.
I'm not sure where to even start.

 

Tomorrow I'm putting it up on blocks to get a good look in there...

I'll be checking in the hubs to see if theres any signs of dysfunction.
switching in and out of 4x4 to see if my front axles spin while in either mode.
and looking for a vacuum line and checking it for leaks i guess

So far these are the best troubleshooting methods i could come up with. If anybody wants to chime in and give me a hand it would be appreciated....regardless I'm going document this diagnosis and repair just in case some other sucker like me is stuck in the same situation.

 

TRS has some very good information available for troubleshooting Ranger transfer cases and hubs (among other things). TRS Tech Articles

 

i put warn manual hubs on my 93 4x4 not long after i got it due to a auto hub failure. that also gives you the benefit of 2wd low, such as backing a trailer in low range but not really needing 4wd.

 

I love my auto hubs and the convenience of engaging/disengaging them in-cab rather than getting out in the cold, snow, mud, etc. to engage manual hubs. I figured out how to fix my auto hubs and here are a few links to get you started. I trust them. I've taken them on some pretty gnarly 2-tracks in Colorado (Mosquito Pass, Hancock Pass) and have hundreds of miles with them engaged without a problem.

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/4...-pictures.html This link has the original discussion but the pictures expired so go here to my Microsoft OneDrive to get the discussion and pics (along with a few other docs) in pdf format:

https://onedrive.live.com/?authkey=%...C27C881C7BC608


Another link with more info: https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/5...esnt-work.html GREAT pics in this one.

A couple things you can start with:

• Are your 4x4 and 4x4 Lo lights on the dash coming on properly? No blinking? If so, that's a pretty good sign the electronics are working right.
• Get the front tires off the ground and rotate the front driveshaft (clockwise, I believe) by hand to see if the front hubs engage and start turning the wheels.
• Engage 4x4 while moving forward. Then stop, disengage 4x4, and reverse. Listen carefully to see if you can hear each hub clicking as it disengages. You also might be able to do this by turning the driveshaft the opposite direction by hand.
• Engage 4x4 while moving forward. Have a friend look under the vehicle while you inch forward to see if the front driveshaft and front left and right axles are turning. That might help you determine if the transfer case is at least engaging properly and the front differential is working properly.
• If you can determine that your transfer case is working, your driveshaft is engaging and your front axles are turning, then the next step is to tear into the hubs using the guides linked above.
• *Note: There are no vacuum lines on the '97 4x4 system. Everything is electronic and mechanical. Vacuum actuation started with the '98 models.