1998 Ranger: I had the hubs replaced today with stock units. They worked but would grind while cruising. When i got the truck home i put in 4 lo. It will not come out of 4lo now. The 4hi and 4lo lights flash in tandem six times then stop for awhile and start back up and i'm stuck in 4 lo..Luckily i was doing this in my yard. What would be the most common solution to this problem? I have to drive this thing 100 miles to the airport to fly to ohio on monday and i'm hoping its something simple.

Thanks

 

I just went out again and tried it and it worked. I didnt do anything so there is still something wrong. It came out of 4lo and i drove it around town and it went into 4hi and back to 2wd with no problem. I didnt try 4lo again. Earlier when i was messing with it the acuator would not click when trying to get it out of 4lo but now it is. Maybe a connection somewhere?

 

Ford used a pulse vacume hub system in the 98-2000 ford 4x4 ranger. This system is very problematic as they develope vacume leaks in the system and are hard to pin point. The best cure for this is a set of AVM manual hubs from tellico4x4.com
part # 15001.70. Unfortunately, the stock hubs are part of the problem and not the solution. AVM are the only ones who make manual hubs for the PVS. The good thing is there not very expensive, 104.95$ the last time I checked pricing. The bad thing is that you have allready invested in new stock hubs. The AVM hubs will fix the problem once and for all as it does a way with the vacume. It's a little old school as you have to get out of the truck and loc them in, but some times simplicity is the best. The other thing you can do is try to run down the vacume leak, even the hubs themselfs are part of the system and can get leaks a long with a million other parts of the system. Ford dropped the PVS after only a couple of years because of the problems with it. The AVM's is the cheapest and easiest solution for years of carefree hub engagement. Sorry it can't be fixed with a piece of baleing wire or duct tape, but not this time ha ha.

 

Thanks for taking the time to give a little insight. Like you said...unforunately i've already invested in new hubs so i wont be buying the AVM's for a while. I only paid $280 for the pair (nice to have friends who work at auto parts stores). I will just take time one day to get under there and see if i can find a leak and untill then i'll keep the truck in 2hi. Since i live in ga the only time i need 4 wheel drive is when i'm playing.

 

I hear ya on the new hubs, whats done is done. However I wish you the best of luck and hopefully luck will be on your side when searching for the leak. Living in good old GA will take some of the presure off, not like living here in northern Ohio. It would be nice to have 4wd for that sticky red clay you all have down there as I'm sure it's fun to play in hee hee!!!!

 

I don't think your problem is with the PVH system. May I suggest the shift motor at the transfer case. This can get sticky after awhile (especially if it doesn't get used much). The reason that I say it isn't the hubs is as follows. Even if the hubs did stick in the engaged position, your 4x4 system would still disengage at the transfer case. The transfer case is the only point where it switches to 4x4 Low from High. To answer one of your questions: the most common cause for not being able to switch in or out of 4x4 Low is the vehicle being in motion.

 

Yea the clay is fun when it's wet and gummy. I will be in Blue Ash, Ohio this week for business. Got any tips for a tourist as far as what to do?

 

I was in the yard not moving. I just put it in nuetral and shifted to 4 low then it wouldnt come out. I think your on to something with the suggestion of the shift motor at transfer case. After doing some more searching i've heard of people cleaning that and fixing the problem. When i get back from Ohio next weekend i'll check it out.

 

Sure, up north here we have the lake and the islands. There a wonderfull amusment park called Cedar Point right on the lake. In Cleveland we have the rock-N-roll hall of fame, in Canton we have the football hall of fame. We have plenty of local speedways and drag strips. There's a great road course in mid Ohio called Nelson Ledges. There' a great off road park in Lima. We have over 100 miles of atv trails a long the Ohio river that boaders W,Va in Wayne national forest The perch are starting to bite up at the lake. The fall can be the best time for perch fishing. Ganbling is still illegal in Ohio, but across the river in W,Va there's a wonderfull resort called moutaineer with caseno's and golf courses. Great sking in the winter, just water sking right now, there's plenty to do, enjoy.

 

Thanks for the tour guide. I'm sure i'll be able to see a couple of those. Unfortunately i wont have my strip car unless i take the rental down the track lol... thanks again.

 

O yeah, you can rent a shelby from hertz just like back in the day. Roast and boast and give them thier car back hee hee.