I just got my first 4x4, 95 bronco, auto, 351. I finally got some time to play and when I engaged 4 low I hit the mud and it felt like the front wasn't pulling. I put it on jack stands and the front wheels don't move. Since this is my first 4x4 I'm looking for any info on what might be the problem since I'm clueless. Thanks.

 

If you have automatic hubs than you need to get some warn manual hubs

 

That'shat I'm hearing from other folks, different brand but manual hubs. Do you know if it's and easy swap or should I take it to the shop?

 

Before you replace. Pull them (easy) wipe out all of the greese (leave a lite coating) and try again.

 

If you can handle wheal bearings you can handle the swap. I can do both sides in 20 minutes, but I’m well versed.

 

Is your 4x4 manual or eltronic ?is 4 wheel high working? could also be the motor on your transfer case TR

 

lets start simple and work from there.
climb under the bronc and turn the front drive shaft by hand.can you turn it more than a few revolutions? if you cant then we know the hubs are working, if you can than your auto hubs are not locking or your manuel hubs are not engaged.if the hubs are not locking take them off and clean them out real good with brake parts cleaner. now lube them with a LITTLE auto trans fluid and reinstall. now try the drive shaft test again.
now start the truck and put it in 4x4 and have someone watch to see if the drive shaft is spinning as you drive slowly forward. if it is them your hubs are at fault and must be repaired or replaced.if it is not then your transfer case is not engageing. is it manuel or is it elestric? if manuel start by adjusting the linkage. if electric you may be able to free it up by lightly tapping on it with a hammer.if not then you will need to repair the motor or replace it.

my bet is that there is a hub engagement problem. alot of people do not like auto hubs. mine have always worked and they are convenient. for normal driving and light 4x4 they should hold up just fine. they are not suitable for heavy 4x4 because theuy cant take the strain of the rocking sometimes needed when 4x4ing

 

I do have auto hubs. The most I do is try play in the mud when we get what little rain we get in S. New Mexico otherwise it's just playing in the sand. Neither low or high work and I found those out whenI got stuck in a little ravine that I would have made it through with a little lift. Now that question is pretty much answered, I plan on a 6 inch suspension lift and going from 32's on 15's to 37's on 17's. Will I need to upgrade my axles and transfer cases or will stock work with just a few mods? I have also been told that I should go to a bigger aftermarket brake system and convert the rear brakes to discs. I planned on the rear swap anyway later down the road but since I have heard this it's making me wait to do the lift until I have the funds for everything.

 

37s on 17s?
Your best bet is 37s on 15"x12" rims.
A 6" lift should hold 35s nicely, 33s at least. 32s will look like 10" rims on a car.
Stock parts should hold up fine, the 8.8 is plenty strong for minor offroading, and so is the D44 TTB.
If you go with 33s, then gear ratio I reccomend is 4:10s. If 35s then 4:56.

 

I don't totally agree with that. I can lock my hubs doing that but they'll give out as soon as I hit the mud. If I ever see an insurance check they'll be getting replaced with some manuals. I nearly got stuck in very little mud because they disengaged on me. And they keep engaging whenever I back up...

 

That is one of the major drawbacks of auto locking hubs. Whenever you go from forward to reverse or reverse to forward they unlock and relock for the other direction. If you are on the gas when this happens you can blow a hub or even worse a front axle or u-joint.

 

Thanks for the input folks. I almost bought manual hubs but then checked my warranty and now I'm getting them replaced from ford with a 12 month 12,000 mile warranty. That should do until I get ready to swap the axles. Thanks again.