leaving front end locked in

[4x4 Ranger Man]

can i take and keep my front end on my 1995 ford ranger 4.0 4x4 locked in and drive it with out messing something up or do i have to unlock every time i get done four wheeling or what any help will be greatfull

 

[4x4 Ranger Man]

ok how fast can i go when they are locked in and the axle is spinning but not in four wheel drive

 

[unclemeat]

I am assuming you mean locking the hubs. You can drive as much a you want with locked hubs. They should be properly lubricated. Most people unlock them because it kills gas mileage and hurts overall performance. It will cause some additional wear in the front end, because what normally does not spin is spinning.

 

[Scott B.]

can i take and keep my front end on my 1995 ford ranger 4.0 4x4 locked in and drive it with out messing something up or do i have to unlock every time i get done four wheeling or what any help will be greatfull

Yes - as long as the transfer case is in 2WD while you are on a hard surface.

Only drawback is the additional drag of the front end turning. But, it makes it easy to transition from soft to hard surface while driving. When off-roading, I usually lock my hubs when I get there, and don't unlock until the drive home.

As for speed, I have shifted from 2-Hi to 4-Hi at 60 MPH with the front hubs locked. Of course, your mileage may vary...

 

[vroomzoomboom]

in the fall i lock my hubs in on my 90 ranger, and i don't unlock them until about april.

 

[4x4 Ranger Man]

oh ok thanks i had a guy tell me that if i left them locked that i couldn't go over 30 mph but thanks for the advise no i know the truth about it now and i'll tell him he's wrong and about it

 

[RangerX]

He may be confusing 4WD with low range. Top speed in low range would be about 30.

If you have the owner's manual in your glovebox, it will tell you all you need to know...how and when to shift to 4x4, etc.

 

[vroomzoomboom]

the only thing that you will notice is when you are doing a u turn is that the wheel might kick back a little bit.

 

[4x4 Ranger Man]

oh ok i'll remeber that hes got an rodeo or something and they told him that you can't go over 30mph while the front end is locked in but i'll irember that i can go over 30 while it's locked in

 

[Scott B.]

You also don't want to turn sharply (especially if you are hard on the gas) when the front end is locked. That can lead to broken u-joints...

 

[4x4 Ranger Man]

oh i c i'll remeber that for sure i'll keep it unlocked untill fall or the first of winter