Manual Hubs

[xplor_off-road]

I have been having probs with my transfer case it will go into 4 low with ease but will not go into 4 hi, when shifting to 4 hi the case makes a nasty noise but that’s it, I have been told it was the vacuum module on the front axel but the question is, can I put manual lock hubs on and do away with the vacuum module? even though I can not find these hubs for a '96 Ex but I have found them for '90-'97 Rangers would they interchange with the Ex?anyone have any idears?

 

[RangerX]

Nope, there's no manual hubs for your year.

Explorers changed from the TTB front axle to the IFS in '95. Rangers kept the TTB through '97, switching to IFS in '98. Manual hubs are only for the TTB axles.

There's some mod that people are doing to lose the vacuum lock system but I'm not too clear on it. You might search around for it.

 

[Blee1099]

I have been having probs with my transfer case it will go into 4 low with ease but will not go into 4 hi, when shifting to 4 hi the case makes a nasty noise but that’s it, I have been told it was the vacuum module on the front axel but the question is, can I put manual lock hubs on and do away with the vacuum module? even though I can not find these hubs for a '96 Ex but I have found them for '90-'97 Rangers would they interchange with the Ex?anyone have any idears?

You don't technically have 4HI. You only have 2WD, 4 Auto, 4 Low. There is a modification on the forum to give you 4 HI.

 

[IAmTodd]

If you have 4LO, there should be no reason you don't have 4AUTO.

 

[gijoecam]

Indeed, it's not the t-case making the noise, but the front axle. If the Center-Axle Disconnect is not locking the front axle shaft together, it will not engage the 4wd.

Now, that being said, the CAD will either lock or not, and 4auto versus 4 low makes no difference. If it's not locked for one, it won't be locked for the other.

-Joe

 

[xplor_off-road]

You don't technically have 4HI. You only have 2WD, 4 Auto, 4 Low. There is a modification on the forum to give you 4 HI.

well the T-case that's in the ex now is from a '98 ranger, so there is no 4auto feature no more just 2 hi, 4 hi, 4 lo all works fine except the 4hi, the case sounds like its going in, but the front axel dosen't move

 

[gijoecam]

Well, there's yer problem rot thayer.....

The front axle on yours (assuming it's stock) has a center-axle disconnect that breaks the passenger-side axle shaft in 2wd. You have a couple of choices: First, you could rig up a switch to bypass the OEM system that will let you select to lock or unlock the front axle. Second, you could permanently connect the appropriate vacuum hose to a permanent vacuum source, keeping the CAD engaged at all times, essentially turning it into a live axle. Third, you could swap out the front axle with one from a '97-'01 Explorer (they did away with the CAD for '97 as far as I know). A fourth possibility (and this one I'm not sure about ) would be to install a manual actuator, liek the ones made by 4x4posi-lock. I know they make on for the F-150s and it may be adaptable to the Explorers. It's also possible that you may be able to remove the actuator from the axle and replace the passenger side halfshaft with one from a '97-01, but I honestly have no idea on that one....

Hope that helps!

-Joe

 

[xplor_off-road]

sounds good to me, I will try the vac. hose setup first, cause it's tooo cold to go into a lot lot of detail right now, I would like to get the front axel from that Ranger but from the front damage it's got I would say it's shot, and yes it helped a lot, thanks