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97 Mazda B4000 4X4 (Ford Ranger with a Maxda nameplate) with switch on
the dash that selects 2WD - 4WD HI - 4WD LO. I rarely use 4WD but with eight inches of global warming piled up on the road, I put it in 4WD HI and started out. After running into a ditch -- trying to avoid a doofus in a rea-wheel drive old Buick -- I discovered that my 4WD is not engaging. As I was driving I thought it felt funny -- when the 4WD is engaged, I can feel it in the steering wheel. WARN sells a set of manual hubs for my truck -- requires a spindle nut kit that they also sell. I looked at the installation instructions and it looks pretty straightforward. Anyone out there done this? I'm not really certain how this 4WD system works but it seems to me as though the dash switch engages the hubs and the transfer case -- right? If I put in the manual hubs, what do I do to engage the 4Wd, other than engaging the hubs -- do I still need to use the dash switch and, if so, how do I know it's doing what it's supposed to do. Thanks. |
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#2
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On Mon, 2 Mar 2009 15:19:10 -0800 (PST), "Kickin' Ass & Takin' Names"
> wrote: >97 Mazda B4000 4X4 (Ford Ranger with a Maxda nameplate) with switch on >the dash that selects 2WD - 4WD HI - 4WD LO. I rarely use 4WD but >with eight inches of global warming piled up on the road, I put it in >4WD HI and started out. After running into a ditch -- trying to avoid >a doofus in a rea-wheel drive old Buick -- I discovered that my 4WD is >not engaging. As I was driving I thought it felt funny -- when the >4WD is engaged, I can feel it in the steering wheel. > You may want to confirm that it is the hubs that are the problem, and not the (silly) shifting motor, a fuse, or something else in the system (that is the tcase is actually going into 4x4, not just pretending!) >WARN sells a set of manual hubs for my truck -- requires a spindle nut >kit that they also sell. I looked at the installation instructions >and it looks pretty straightforward. Well, I've done Isuzu trucks before, took about half an hour. Hard? No. Tricky? No. Can you do it? Probably, if you are a reasonably good mechanic. > >Anyone out there done this? > >I'm not really certain how this 4WD system works but it seems to me as >though the dash switch engages the hubs and the transfer case -- >right? If I put in the manual hubs, what do I do to engage the 4Wd, >other than engaging the hubs -- do I still need to use the dash switch >and, if so, how do I know it's doing what it's supposed to do. Yes, you will still need the (stupid) switch. That is the problem with those trucks that tried to make the transfer case shifting 'automatic' and easy for soccer moms. You *never* know if it is going to work right or not! <bg> > >Thanks. |
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![]() > I'm not really certain how this 4WD system works but it seems to me as > though the dash switch engages the hubs and the transfer case -- > right? *If I put in the manual hubs, what do I do to engage the 4Wd, > other than engaging the hubs -- do I still need to use the dash switch > and, if so, how do I know it's doing what it's supposed to do. A manual shifting 4x4 system, also known as part-time 4x4, uses a selectable transfer case to send power to the front axle. Most of these transfer cases also have a Low Range gear for extreme conditions. When the transfer case is engaged the front drive shaft and axle shafts are receiving power from the engine. The hubs on the wheels are there to allow for the wheel to be disengaged from the axle shafts. If the hubs were not present then axles would turn with the wheels all of the time, even when the transfer case is disengaged and no engine power is being sent to the front axles. This would wear out bearings and joints and also would cause poor fuel economy. By having unlocking wheel hubs, the wheels can turn freely when in 4x2 mode and then all of the front axles will remain still. With automatic front hubs like your Mazda, when you select 4x4 mode, the vacuum line engages the hub and locks the wheel to the axle so it can receive engine torque. When you go back to 4x2, in many older vehicles, you have to reverse the truck a certain distance to "unscrew" the locked hubs. Your truck manual will describe if this is required and what distance to reverse. With manual hubs it requires you to get out and twist the hub by hand to lock and unlock them. If you are stuck it is not pleasant to trudge through mud to get to the wheels....so lock them before going off-road. Then all you have to do is use the internal selector to engage the 4x4. But, don't forget to unlock them when you are back on the highway. Manual hubs also have the added benefit of allowing the use of Low-Range with only the rear wheels powered. If you select the 4x4 Low Range but do not lock the front hubs you get a 2WD Low Range. Max speed is usually 30mph or slower for low range so it would not be advisable to drive around this way. You could use it to pull a heavy load up a hill on pavement where it is bad to drive with the front wheels powered. Hope the long explanation helps. OzarkMtbr |
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