Hub help?

[jamesj]

Okay so I have a 1991 ford explorer, When i bought the truck the 4x4 system did not work at all. After reading some great info posted here on the forums I was able to determine that the 4x4 shift motor was dead. I replaced the motor and lo and behold the 4x4 lights on the dash lit up. I thought for sure it was fixed. The truck shifts in and out of 4x4 correctly, I can hear the change in the t-case and also I was able to observe the front drive shaft engaging correctly. So I decided to go for a mountain drive and test her out. As soon as I got into some rough terrain i knew that something was not right. I slowly put the truck up against a small tree and gave it some gas only to see the rear wheels spinning and nothing from the front. So I know that the 4x4 is not correctly engaging the front wheels. I am new to 4x4 stuff and I have assumed that it is probably a problem with the hubs, does this sound right?

Currently the truck has the stock auto locking hubs. I am thinking they need to be replaced? Should I replace the auto hubs or convert them to manual?
Are the hubs the cause of my problem?
(Off topic) what size tires can I fit on the stock rims with no lift?

Please advise
thank you everyone

 

[red.EDDIE.4x4]

Okay so I have a 1991 ford explorer, When i bought the truck the 4x4 system did not work at all. After reading some great info posted here on the forums I was able to determine that the 4x4 shift motor was dead. I replaced the motor and lo and behold the 4x4 lights on the dash lit up. I thought for sure it was fixed. The truck shifts in and out of 4x4 correctly, I can hear the change in the t-case and also I was able to observe the front drive shaft engaging correctly. So I decided to go for a mountain drive and test her out. As soon as I got into some rough terrain i knew that something was not right. I slowly put the truck up against a small tree and gave it some gas only to see the rear wheels spinning and nothing from the front. So I know that the 4x4 is not correctly engaging the front wheels. I am new to 4x4 stuff and I have assumed that it is probably a problem with the hubs, does this sound right?

Currently the truck has the stock auto locking hubs. I am thinking they need to be replaced? Should I replace the auto hubs or convert them to manual?
Are the hubs the cause of my problem?
(Off topic) what size tires can I fit on the stock rims with no lift?

Please advise
thank you everyone

to me (im no expert) but it sounds like your auto lock hubs are toast. im in the process of converting to manual hubs. but if i were you i would convert to manual hubs as well. everyone who ive talked to that has switched to manual hubs has told me great things about them.
http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=255176

this is a current thread on diff and hubs i am discussing. hope this helps...

and for the tires, a 31x10.5x15 inch tire is the max with no lift.

 

[Tbars4]

...As for your hubs, here you will find what you are looking for...
http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=232754

 

[nitro71]

Take the hubs off, see if anything is broken. Clean them with gas(no smoking) soak them in ATF. Drain well. Put back on.