Help with hubs

[luckyg]

Recently got manual 2000 ranger xlt 4x4 and realized a previous owner did a mod on the hubs where you now have to manually push in the hubs to lock them however 4x4 doesn't work unless I put switch in 4x4 position. I assume this is to engage the transfer case? Can someone tell me if it will hurt anything if I leave the hubs locked while the switch is in 4x2 position. I was thinking since its shift on fly anyway it might be ok but I don't want to hurt transfer case. If it doesn't hurt anything then this would allow me to go between just with the switch,but am concerned that's too easy. Thanks

[Skylark65]

About halfway through the 2000 model year ford switched to a "live axle" setup, meaning the hubs are permanently locked. Leaving your Manuel hubs locked it shouldn't cause any harm, but you will notice some increased drive line noise & possibly slightly lower mpgs on the highway. ( rangers tend to not be super good on fuel no matter what so you may not see any decrease in mpgs lol).

[luckyg]

Ok that makes me feel better thanks. I'll keep an eye on it and probably still manually disengage them when I will be on road for longer trips, because I'm like that. But I really appreciate the quick help

[WVJefo]

Unless you live on a muddy, hilly dirt road or in the far cold north. I would leave the hubs unlocked.
No reason to put the wear and tear on the hubs. Before you get to the dirt road or far cold north it is easy to lock the hubs.

[luckyg]

Yeah I would normally agree but I do have a large hill with gravel drive that I use every time I take it out. Back gets all squirrelly if I didn't engage 4x4 so if I'm just doing a short run I wanted to make sure it didn't hurt anything if I just used the switch in the cab and left the hubs engaged. I know lazy.

[Jason35]

Even the owners manual allows the hubs to be locked with transfer case in 2hi, but does warn of increased wear. pg 170 from the 1996 manual says "Operating in 2H with the hubs in the LOCK position increases fuel consumption, noise, vibration, and wear. For prolonged 2H operation on dry pavement, set the manual locking hubs to the FREE position.", right after it talks about disengaging 4x4 on the fly

[luckyg]

Thanks Jason I'll check it out.