1998 Ranger Locking Hubs

[JARSTV]

Could Someone Give Me Some Reasons Why The Hubs Wont Lock In On A 98 Ford Range

 

[lifeguard379]

i believe you don't have locking hubs. it should be a unit bearing, like one heeps.
is your transfer case working?

 

[4x4junkie]

'98-early '00 Ranger uses the PVH (Pulse-Vacuum-Hub) locking hubs. They are not known for their reliability.

Common causes are mud/dirt getting into them and freezing up the locking mechanism, and/or the vacuum valve.

There are a few mods floating around out there to convert them to manual locking (you take it apart and cut part of the cover out so you can push the mechanism in with your finger (works like a ballpoint click pen).

The best way to fix it though is to swap a set of AVM manual hubs on it.

Hope that helps.

 

[beachbuggy73]

4wd pops out at the worst time!

I have a 1999 Ranger 3.0 v6 with 4wd (sometimes). My thought is the hubs are shot, because the 4x4 pops out under resistance. Like on the beach! My question is, I think I have 4 wheel abs... is this an issue when swapping out to AVM manual locking hubs, and one more thing, they say they are not for live axles. Is this for guys who've swapped out live axles, not stock independant?
Thanks in advance for the help!

 

[4x4junkie]

That's misworded, it should be "live spindles". You do not have live spindles if you have PVH hubs.