I've been doing a lot of reading about the 1998 Ranger PVH system. It seems as if everyone hates them and that they are unreliable. I've also read about 2 different fixes: explorer axel exchange and manual locking hubs. Which one is best in your opinion?

The Expo axle swap is for the rear, so do both!

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95-02 Explorer and Expo Sport, 01-05 Expo Sport and Sport Trac, and 00+ Ranger are all live axles(hubs engaged 100% of the time). You DO NOT need a new axle, you just need new CV shafts w/ nuts, hub/bearings and that's it.


If you do the Rugged Ridge / AVM manual hubs, you're still stuck with a pretty weak system, but still quite a bit more reliable than the PVH setup. People blow up AVM's more often than don't though. But....the hub is the weak link there and it goes first and if you break a CV shaft in half, you're doing some HARDCORE shit. lol.

Live axles FTW.

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'01 XLT disguised as a '03 Fx4 Level II.

I just read an article that said I could modify the white 2-piece plastic "thing" and make the hubs permanently engaged like a live-axel. All he said you do is to remove the metal piece in the white plastic part and the hubs will always stay locked. Is this better than going with the AVM hubs?

i make sure to engage my 4wd(pvh's) every month if i need to or not. they always work wether its -10 or 100 degrees mud snow or rain. 7 years and counting.

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98 B4000 5speed 4x4 mostly stock
air box mod.
throttle cable mod.

Fx4wannabe01 - this helps a lot - thanks!

So, to confirm, the CV shafts & hubs from the Explorer years you mention will swap right into my '98 Ranger?

I welcome any further insights on this "live axle" swap anyone can offer.

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1998 4.0L Manual 4x4 Extended Cab
w/ 2007 Ranger Wheels