sport track: No front hubs anymore?

[Bored_2wd]

Coming from the part-time bw1350 with dana 35 and manual hubs, how does the sport trac compare strength-wise and how reliable is it? I know the old automatic hubs were horrible, I replaced mine with manuals as soon as I had a chance. How exactly does the stracks work, are the 'all wheel drive' garbage or are they really strong off-road capable? Thanks!
--Bob

 

[TPLYNCH]

The '95+ hub setups have worked extremely well with only a few complaints regarding
the bearings going and the dust seals being bad.

 

[JohnnyO]

Sport Trac hubs are the "always live" versions like the '95-up Explorers have. '98-early '00 Rangers used the same axle but with vacuum disconnect hubs that proved troublesome and unreliable. As long as you stay with tires 33" or less and don't go crazy with the skinny pedal, they're fine. People who have tried 35" or bigger tend to break parts.