I have automatic locking hubs on my 1991 ford ranger 4.0 supercab. I broke one and it cost $50 at a junk yard. I just found out our local 4x4 shop has WARN manual hubs for $150 for the set. Has anyone ever changed theirs and what's the procedure is it hard. I did the automatci ones they just slid on. Do i need to do anything with the transfer case or anything else for the manual hubs.

 

I would just get the conversion kit. Auto-Manual.

 

I had to replace my automatic hubs for the WARN locking hubs on my '96 Ranger. There is a conversion kit that I believe you need to purchase as well.

 

Yeah i found the whole kit for 150 and they are WARN thanks guys

 

my 97 b series, b4000, has auto locking hubs. over christmas went up to tahoe and 4x4 would not engage. i heard it click, and heard some grinding like it wanted to go in, but couldn't. local mazda dealer said nothing was wrong with it, but hey have always proved to be incompetent (Diablo Mazda, if anyone cares to know). Local ford dealer, which for some reason has always been a little hesitant to work on it even though it is made by ford, found that the front left hub was shot. It's a tiny little plastic part, that of course you can buy separately, you need to get the hub, for $460. plus labor. I said no.

So, has anyone gone ahead and done the conversion? If so, was it as easy?

Should the manual hubs actually last longer? Or are they just cheaper? Once the conversion is done, how do you shift into 4x4? I think this logic would work:
1) before you need 4x4, get out and engage the hubs
2) when you actually need 4x4, switch the lever on the dash to 4hi or 4 lo
-then reverse the process and drive for 10 feet in the opposite direction you last travelled in 4x4.

I am considering a new model full time 4x4...but part of the fun of 4 wheel is not using it! slinging mud, getting stuck, spinning donuts? Who's with me on this? The reliability worries me tho'...and that the 4x4 system has a harder time engaging in cold temps, which is often when i use it.

Thanks all.

 

Yeah but with manual hubs you can wait until your stuck and then lock them

 

The procedure for switching to manual isn't hard at all. It's a little more involved than just sliding them on but the instructions should come with them.

 

Go manual!!! You can lock them before you go out and if you need 4wd press the button and you're already locked. Ford auto hubs lack a little in the toughness department. Just my opinion.

 

How the heck do you get in low range by converting to manual hubs? You would have to replace the transfer case?

 

Power goes engine , tranny, transfer case, wheels (however many that may be)...transfer case goes into four lo, then power goes to the wheels. So, it should not affect it at all.

 

No impact whatsoever on the 4Lo. All the hubs do is lock the wheels where they spin on the axles which spin as soon as you put it into 4wd. Like 03EDGE said, you can lock them before you go out and are much more reliable. In reality, it's the exact same thing. It's just 'manual' instead.

 

No need to drive in any direction when disengaging 4WD with manual hubs (if I understood you correctly).

Pat

 

The only way to disconnect manual hubs is to unlock them yourself. reddog99 is on the money. Once you take the case out of 4wd the front driveshaft is disengaged so there is no need to unlock your hubs. (except for fuel mileage)