Ok, this might sound like a dumb question. But i was thinking of installing warn manual hubs on my 92, Anyways, mine has 2 buttons, a 4x4 and a low range. WHere the low range can only be engaged when the car is in 4x4 and in park. My question is when i install the manual hubs how do i engage the low range? Thnx

same exact way.

So the 4x4 low range button would work on the dash?? Is there another way to engage this?? Im having the manual hubs installed because ive had problems with the auto 4x4 working, electrical problems, button doesnt' alwyas work or hubs dont engage. Or Are they separate mechanisms?

the buttons on your dash operate the transfer case. the hubs engage your actual axle. without the hubs locked, you aren't in 4 wheel, without the transfer case in 4 wheel, you aren't in 4 wheel.

well if the lights come on... your buttons work.... but if they dont...... you may need new ones... they are both diferant

to shift into low range the truck has to be COMPLETELY stopped. you also can only shift it while in neutral, NOT park.

so:
1) stop the truck
2) lock both front hubs
2) shift to neutral
3) engage 4x4
4) engage Low Range

to disengage:
1) stop the truck
2) unlock both front hubs
3) shift to neutral
4) disengage Low Range
5) disengage 4x4

Dont forget to lock the hubs. also, if you dont lock the hubs, you can get 2wd Low Range which is pretty cool :D

Originally posted by jiimi
So the 4x4 low range button would work on the dash?? Is there another way to engage this?? Im having the manual hubs installed because ive had problems with the auto 4x4 working, electrical problems, button doesnt' alwyas work or hubs dont engage. Or Are they separate mechanisms?

If you were having electrical problems with your 4wd, new hubs won't fix that. The hubs, whether auto or manual, are a mechanical device. There are no electronics involved whatsoever. All the hubs do is mechanically connect and disconnect the axles from the wheels. The buttons on the dash electronically control the engagement of the transfer case, so if your buttons aren't working right, the transfer case is not engaging. If that's the case, check out www.glue.umd.edu/~singletn/web/pages/tcase.html . This tells you how to repair the most common transfer case problems.

with manual hubs, can you drive on dry pavement w/ the hubs locked, but with the transfer case NOT in 4X4? does it cause damage or tire wear, etc??

if not, why not get the warn hubs over the auto ones? just leave the hubs locked anytime you think you may need 4X4?

Originally posted by paul_c_nicols
with manual hubs, can you drive on dry pavement w/ the hubs locked, but with the transfer case NOT in 4X4? does it cause damage or tire wear, etc??

if not, why not get the warn hubs over the auto ones? just leave the hubs locked anytime you think you may need 4X4?


Leaving manual hubs in on dry pavement with the transfer case NOT in 4x4 might cause drivetrain damage and will make it a little harder to steer.

The reason for the Warns over the auto hubs is that the Warns are much more durable than the autos and they are less expensive than a new set of autos, and yes, when I had a '92 Sport, we just used to leave the manual hubs locked in when we thought we might need 4WD.

On your truck, you don't have hubs. The axles are permanantly attached to the wheels. There is no known conversion kit to convert it either.

i used to have a 91 with tons of hub/ wheel issues. it is such a shame to not have known about manual hubs until recently. i definately would have put those in, instead of reinstalling the automatics at a cost above $750 (or something like that).

thats actually one of the reasons i opted for AWD in my new X. especially here in New England, having to 'elect' 4X4 is rediculous. road conditions vary so much during winter storms, you don't know when a dry road will turn into snow, etc.

its hard to hit a button when you're trying to steer away from a snowbank:eek:

If you go off road at alll, they're worth getting.

On my 97 Ranger, I got auto hubs replaced once under warranty and then I blew another one and almost had to walk home. I spend $250 on the Warn conversion and an hour or so, totally worth it. Walking out sucks.

A major advantage of my wife's 98 Explorer is the lack of "hubs". The axles turn all the time, no big deal, and the magnetic clutch in the case is sweet. Apparently Ford doesn't think it's a big deal to have the front axles turning all the time (nor does Jeep et al).

If you leave the hubs locked, your steering is *slightly* heavier. I've noticed no difference in gas mileage attributable to forgetting to unlock hubs, so it's not very much additional drag = not much additional wear.

Regards,
Brian in CA

PS If you have the 5L AWD don't go offroad - no low range. Dirt roads should be fine.