I'm considering buying a new ranger and have a few questions that I'm hoping you guys can help me out with. First off I want to buy a Ranger to replace my Jeep Cherokee because I need a pickup. Now you'll have to bear with me because I don't know much about 4x4 systems. My Jeep has both "part time" and "full time" 4x4 meaning that it can be used on both dry and slippery surfaces and I think this is very convenient in the snow. After doing a bit of research it seems that the Ranger only has "part time" 4x4 which I believe means that the front wheels are always locked when in 4x4(correct me if I'm wrong). So what I'm wondering is if there are any modifications that can be made that would allow me to have "full time" and "part time" 4x4 in a ranger? I basically just need an explanation of how the Ranger's 4x4 system works and what modifications are benefitial. Thanks!!!

 

You are correct in your thinking.

There is no modification that can be done to make a Ranger into an "full time" 4WD vehicle like the Jeep.

On the other hand, the Ford Explorer Sport Trac, with it's pickup style bed in back and AWD option, might be something closer to what you are looking for.

 

Thanks for the reply. I'll check out that explorer. I think that I'd still be better off with a ranger just because I have more use for bed space than cab space. I do appreciate it!

 

Do you do any off-roading? Drive in conditions where you experience more than 2 feet of snow?

If not.. then you won't benefit any with the full-time 4wd.

The rangers have CV axles in the front which are always connected at the wheels, just like a front wheel drive. The front differential has a motor which engages it to the transfer case when 4wd mode is needed.

But unless you agressively go looking for places to use the 4wd, you'll find this is plenty enough for your uses.

If you are an AVID off roader, then you should consider a sport trac or perhaps another jeep.

Here in st louis we get a couple inches of snow and everyone freaks out and drives around in full time four wheel drive, which sometimes can be more dangerous than not haveing 4wd at all!

 

Just to clearify, on new rangers, there is no motor in the front diff that locks/unlocks it. The only thing that engages the 4wd is the transfer case. the front driveshaft is always connected to the front wheels so that both are constantly spinning when the truck is moving. The only place where there is a connection/disconnection is in the transfer case.

As long as there is snow on the ground, or you are on dirt, mud or some other very slippery surface, it is alright to use regular 4x4 high. And usually, awd incorporates some sort of traction contol system that uses the brakes to slow spinning wheels, and that kind of system is actually a lot WORSE in most kinds of off-road situations. A good example is in sand, where you need to keep your wheels spinning. When I took my ranger to the sand dunes there was a guy who was trying to drive his awd escalde in the sand also......he would make it about 100 feet before the traction control system just brought the vehicle to a dead stop. It was pretty funny.

 

Air locking differentials are definitely a 4wd modification worth while. That would give you full contol over your 4wd system.

 

Higgin, do you know what year they elimitated the shift motor? I can't decide whether that is a good thing or not. On one hand it is a simpler system with less to break, but I would imagine that this also takes more power and gas.

Gopher, where do they sell air lock kits? And how much do they go for?

I think you guys are right that I probably don't need "full time" 4x4.

Thanks everyone for the replies!!!

 

As far as I know, there never was a shift motor in the differential of rangers. What the rangers have had, as my 98 does, is a auto-locking hubs. they just unlock the wheel from the front half-shafts. So when you shift into 2wd, the auto hubs disengage, and the transfer case disengages, so the front driveshafts are not turning all the time. For me (and many others on this site), the auto-locking hubs have been nothing but trouble. They break very easily. I've replaced mine 3 times (at $700 each time). So when they stated going bad the last time, I took them apart and modified them so that the hubs would stay engaged constantly. I suppose it may cause a little extra wear and tear, and I may be giving up a little in gas mileage, but in the 8 months since I did the mod, I seem to be getting the same mpg as before. And my 4wd always works now.

Now on 00's and up, they decided to just get rid of the auto-locking hubs. They have no locking hub at all. They are just a constant engagement system. So they work just like mine.....wheels are always connected to the driveshafts and the t-case is the only thing that engages/disengages 4wd.

And gopher18 is right, air locking diff's are awesome.....If I had the money, i'd have some now. But they are more for serious off roading than for just occational 4wd use in snow. They do make a huge difference in certain off-road situations. But the bad part is they are fairly expensive....