I'm new at this 4X4 gig and still stuggling to understand this vehicle. I've noticed that the automatic front hubs seem to get a lot of bad press. Can someone out there provide some information?

1. How do they work? As in how do they know I'm in 4-Wheel mode and they're supposed to do their thing?

2. When they fail to operate, why? Are they poorly designed or is it a maintenance problem?

3. Is there anything that I can do to minimize the liklyhood that I'll want of need to convert to manual hubs.

Before someone answers, a little background information. I resisted the 4X4 configuration on the first two Rangers. The logic was that the demands that I put on the truck would probably mean that 4 wheel propulsion would probably only be needed at most, 6 times in any one year, and that on each on those occasions I probably should have stayed home in the first place. This truck has 4 wheel drive because Ford was/is running some insane deals to move the iron, and this truck gives me the body color bumpers, no carpets, graphite interior, fog lamps, and a class 3 hitch for no additional cost. Everything else remains the same - its a comfortable, practical vehicle extremely well suited to what I need in a vehicle.

 

I have only recently become aware of this problem, so don't know all the details yet. I work with a gentleman that had the same setup. When his front hubs failed, he replaced them with manual hubs without even thinking twice about it. He obviously knew of the persistent problem that plagues them, even before HIS failed. If it were mine, I think I'd just go ahead and install the manuals. Save the future grief.

 

>I'm new at this 4X4 gig and still stuggling to understand
>this vehicle. I've noticed that the automatic front hubs
>seem to get a lot of bad press. Can someone out there
>provide some information?

The reason that they have been getting bad press is that in most of the failures were related to doing things that automatics aren't designed for, like for instance running the 4x4 on dry pavement (the whole 4x4 system is'nt designed for this no matter what hubs you have). Auto hubs are okay for the 4x4 emergencys that the average Joe will encounter. If your thinking of rock crawlin and such, manual conversion would be wise.



>1. How do they work? As in how do they know I'm in 4-Wheel
>mode and they're supposed to do their thing?
older rangers used a system that electrically actived the 4x4 system, newer ones like my 00 ranger use a vaccum system, basically engaged by suction. You will know by an Indicator light, and by the change in vehicle action/reaction at low speeds.


>2. When they fail to operate, why? Are they poorly
>designed or is it a maintenance problem?
I'll admit that any thing that is designed and put into production is going to fail most often due to misuse of the product.


>3. Is there anything that I can do to minimize the
>liklyhood that I'll want of need to convert to manual hubs.

Yes, read you owners manual front to back, no exceptions,(especially about 4 high and 4 Low) the hardest thing on a vehicle is an uninformed operator. (who knows you might learn something cool!)

If you encounter a situation that might require 4x4, no matter how remote the possiblity, engage it (with the exception of dry pavement) before you try to negotiate the obstacle. It is alot harder on your 4x4 system to engage it when you're already stuck ( this is where most of the failures come because most people turn the switch and mash the gas even though the system is not fully engaged, then kaplooie the wheels lock and there goes the hubs).

On my ranger I try to find a gravel or sandy road and engage my 4x4 high and low for a bit to keep the parts lubricated, at least once a month.

good luck



super

2000 Ranger 4x4 4 dr, 4.0L 5spd,
Flowmaster 40 dual exhaust
Bosch Platinum +4's
K+N filter
Going to get chipped with some 31x10.5r15 BFG All terrain KO's very soon..... can't wait.. yippee!!!

 

Thanks for the info. I'm grateful that the advice is "moderation". Don't push the machine past the design limit and you probably won't have problems. I'll try to get to the "Bunny Slope" from time to time to give it a little exercise.