Converting To Manual Hubs On Ranger

[brett3858]

I think anyone that has owned a 4x4 Ranger has had the same problems with the PVH hubs, I however have found a quite easy solution to the problem. When you remove the cover over the lug nuts it also exposes a black cap which is what locks and unlocks the hubs from the cv axle. In the center of the cap is a small circle that has wire mesh in it with a thin plastic wagon wheel underneath (best description I could give without pictures). If you knock out the wire and plastic wagon wheel there is "button" that you can push. You are able to lock the hubs manually by pushing this "button" all the way in to engage. When you are ready to disengage push the button halfway in and then release. You can tell the hubs are engaged when it takes some force to push the button, if there is a little "play" when pushing the button they're disengaged. However You still need to use the switch inside to put it in 4 low just so it will gear down. I usually put it in 4 high or 4 low with the switch first and then get out and manually lock or unlock them (same with unlocking them also), that way if the hubs decide to actually start working it won't unlock what you just locked manually or vice versa. If you have any ??? e-mail me at brett3858@sbcglobal.net.

[02rangerfx4]

Originally Posted by brett3858

I think anyone that has owned a 4x4 Ranger has had the same problems with the PVH hubs, I however have found a quite easy solution to the problem. When you remove the cover over the lug nuts it also exposes a black cap which is what locks and unlocks the hubs from the cv axle. In the center of the cap is a small circle that has wire mesh in it with a thin plastic wagon wheel underneath (best description I could give without pictures). If you knock out the wire and plastic wagon wheel there is "button" that you can push. You are able to lock the hubs manually by pushing this "button" all the way in to engage. When you are ready to disengage push the button halfway in and then release. You can tell the hubs are engaged when it takes some force to push the button, if there is a little "play" when pushing the button they're disengaged. However You still need to use the switch inside to put it in 4 low just so it will gear down. I usually put it in 4 high or 4 low with the switch first and then get out and manually lock or unlock them (same with unlocking them also), that way if the hubs decide to actually start working it won't unlock what you just locked manually or vice versa. If you have any ??? e-mail me at brett3858@sbcglobal.net.

Great article! Sadly, I have a 2002 Ranger FX4, and upon removing the front hub center covers, discovered no black rubber pieces or mesh screens or white vacuum reservoirs. Instead, there's a large nut holding what appears to be the bearing cap assembly. I've also found NO LISTINGS for any aftermarket hubs beyond a 2000 model year (Mile Marker, Superwinch, Warn, etc). Anyone else out there have any luck converting auto hubs on a 2002? Any help greatly appreciated!

[bemo415]

what year ranger do you own?