Ford-Rangers.com Ranger Forum HomeFord-Rangers.com Ranger Forum Home
Home Recent Topics New posts Search search Menu menu Not logged in - Login | Register
Ford-Rangers.com Ranger Forum > Tech Section > How-To Section > Vacuum hub to live axle

Ford-rangers.com is a discussion forum, a Ranger forum for people who have questions about fixing or modifying
their Ford Rangers or people who just admire their Ranger. Please join and enjoy sharing experiences!

Vacuum hub to live axle       #: 1588
 Moderated by: NoPower, Mike69, MaDMaXX,
New Topic Reply
 Rate Topic 
 Posted: Mon Apr 15th, 2019 06:27 am
PM Quote Reply
1st Post
black06xlt
Coal miner


Joined: Sat Nov 25th, 2017
Location: Flushing, Ohio USA
Posts: 1738
Name: 
Occupation: 
Interests: my wife my kids ford rangers ...
Status: 
Offline
Reputation: 
Reputation Points: 1738
Member's Gallery
 Ditching the vacuum hubs in favor of a live axle setup. Parts list is small and readily available.
1. Left and right knuckles
2. Left and right hub bearings
3. Left and right axle shafts




Remove the left and right vacuum hubs, knuckles, and axle shafts. It's very important to cap off the vacuum lines going to the knuckles. Replace with parts listed above. Tourqe all bolts according to specs. For non abs trucks simply cut the abs wire as close to the wheel bearing as possible. 

Parts can be found at any salvage yard or if you choose new any parts supplier. You will parts from a 95-01 explorer or any non vacuum hub ranger with the 2 piece right upper ball joint. I will post more detailed pictures of my conversion as it take place. Stay tuned...



____________________
1995 ranger splash (pieces)
Back To Top PM Quote Reply

 Posted: Tue Apr 16th, 2019 01:24 pm
PM Quote Reply
2nd Post
Scrambler82
Old Bastard !


Joined: Fri Dec 22nd, 2017
Location: California USA
Posts: 2108
Name: Grev B ...
Occupation: Quality Assurance Engineer ...
Interests: Rangers, Photography, Metal Bending ...
Status: 
Offline
Reputation: 
Reputation Points: 2108
Member's Gallery
 Which truck are you doing this on, thinking 2000 back ?

I watching, good project !

I would luv to get rid of the Hubs on my '03... not sure there are parts to go manual hubs !

Luck to ya, Ltr !



____________________
Ltr,
2003 EDGE, Std Cab, Steppie, E4 Red, 5sp, 4x
5" SuperLift, 33" x 12.50 x 15"
Hurst Shifter
Mod'd Backrack to fit Steppie
Front and Rear Bumpers by Custom 4x4 Fabrication, OK; now Mike's Welding and Fabrication.
Working on more Mods, just need more time, longer days would work !
Back To Top PM Quote Reply

 Posted: Tue Apr 16th, 2019 01:56 pm
PM Quote Reply
3rd Post
black06xlt
Coal miner


Joined: Sat Nov 25th, 2017
Location: Flushing, Ohio USA
Posts: 1738
Name: 
Occupation: 
Interests: my wife my kids ford rangers ...
Status: 
Offline
Reputation: 
Reputation Points: 1738
Member's Gallery
 Doing this on my 98



____________________
1995 ranger splash (pieces)
Back To Top PM Quote Reply

 Posted: Tue Apr 16th, 2019 09:20 pm
PM Quote Reply
4th Post
Scrambler82
Old Bastard !


Joined: Fri Dec 22nd, 2017
Location: California USA
Posts: 2108
Name: Grev B ...
Occupation: Quality Assurance Engineer ...
Interests: Rangers, Photography, Metal Bending ...
Status: 
Offline
Reputation: 
Reputation Points: 2108
Member's Gallery
 Ok on the '98

Good Luck on your project !



____________________
Ltr,
2003 EDGE, Std Cab, Steppie, E4 Red, 5sp, 4x
5" SuperLift, 33" x 12.50 x 15"
Hurst Shifter
Mod'd Backrack to fit Steppie
Front and Rear Bumpers by Custom 4x4 Fabrication, OK; now Mike's Welding and Fabrication.
Working on more Mods, just need more time, longer days would work !
Back To Top PM Quote Reply

 Posted: Fri Apr 19th, 2019 08:42 pm
PM Quote Reply
5th Post
black06xlt
Coal miner


Joined: Sat Nov 25th, 2017
Location: Flushing, Ohio USA
Posts: 1738
Name: 
Occupation: 
Interests: my wife my kids ford rangers ...
Status: 
Offline
Reputation: 
Reputation Points: 1738
Member's Gallery






And as easy as bolting a few parts on conversion is complete. No modification needed. Live axle swap



____________________
1995 ranger splash (pieces)
Back To Top PM Quote Reply

 Posted: Tue Apr 23rd, 2019 05:13 pm
PM Quote Reply
6th Post
aroundincircles
Member
 

Joined: Sun Nov 19th, 2017
Location: Chino Valley, Arizona USA
Posts: 361
Name: 
Occupation: 
Interests: 
Status: 
Offline
Reputation: 
Reputation Points: 361
Member's Gallery
 I need/want to do this on my 98. I know you just finished. follow up if you notice any big difference in driving/fuel economy, please!.



____________________
https://aroundincircles.net/
1998 Mazda B4000
Mesa, AZ
Back To Top PM Quote Reply

 Posted: Tue Apr 23rd, 2019 06:32 pm
PM Quote Reply
7th Post
black06xlt
Coal miner


Joined: Sat Nov 25th, 2017
Location: Flushing, Ohio USA
Posts: 1738
Name: 
Occupation: 
Interests: my wife my kids ford rangers ...
Status: 
Offline
Reputation: 
Reputation Points: 1738
Member's Gallery
 Driving it handles no different. The only change was a small decrease in fuel mileage. But not enough to worry about. The benefits from this swap are more then the cons. Parts are cheaper easier to find and 4wd works better



____________________
1995 ranger splash (pieces)
Back To Top PM Quote Reply

 Posted: Sun Apr 28th, 2019 12:52 am
PM Quote Reply
8th Post
Chewy_719
Member


Joined: Mon Apr 22nd, 2019
Location: Colorado USA
Posts: 40
Name: Ethan ...
Occupation: 
Interests: Hunting, Archery, cars/trucks, ...
Status: 
Offline
Reputation: 
Reputation Points: 40
Member's Gallery
 I will be doing this. Just replaced the ball joints on my truck and found out all the vacuum lines are rotted out. I wish there was a why to use actual lockers though.
Back To Top PM Quote Reply

 Posted: Sun Apr 28th, 2019 07:45 am
PM Quote Reply
9th Post
black06xlt
Coal miner


Joined: Sat Nov 25th, 2017
Location: Flushing, Ohio USA
Posts: 1738
Name: 
Occupation: 
Interests: my wife my kids ford rangers ...
Status: 
Offline
Reputation: 
Reputation Points: 1738
Member's Gallery
 You can trace out all the lines but it was getting dark so I just capped the by the suspension



____________________
1995 ranger splash (pieces)
Back To Top PM Quote Reply

 Posted: Wed Mar 11th, 2020 10:12 pm
PM Quote Reply
10th Post
Scrambler82
Old Bastard !


Joined: Fri Dec 22nd, 2017
Location: California USA
Posts: 2108
Name: Grev B ...
Occupation: Quality Assurance Engineer ...
Interests: Rangers, Photography, Metal Bending ...
Status: 
Offline
Reputation: 
Reputation Points: 2108
Member's Gallery
 black06xlt wrote:
You can trace out all the lines but it was getting dark so I just capped the by the suspension
Black06, 

How did this turn out ?

You mentioned losing some mpg, funny, are you using manual locking hubs ?

Ltr



____________________
Ltr,
2003 EDGE, Std Cab, Steppie, E4 Red, 5sp, 4x
5" SuperLift, 33" x 12.50 x 15"
Hurst Shifter
Mod'd Backrack to fit Steppie
Front and Rear Bumpers by Custom 4x4 Fabrication, OK; now Mike's Welding and Fabrication.
Working on more Mods, just need more time, longer days would work !
Back To Top PM Quote Reply

 Posted: Thu Mar 12th, 2020 09:31 am
PM Quote Reply
11th Post
410customs

Idahome


Joined: Wed May 2nd, 2018
Location: Panhandle, Idaho USA
Posts: 2165
Name: Jamie ...
Occupation: Elevator Design Worlds Tallest Buildings ...
Interests: Ranger Based Vehicles and OFFROAD ...
Status: 
Offline
Reputation: 
Reputation Points: 2165
Member's Gallery
 I just did this on a 98

Only 98-99 Rangers had PVH
You are converting from a automatic vacuum hub setup to a live axle setup = NO MORE HUBS
This means both half shafts (CV axles) are spinning all the time, the front diff ring and pinion gear is spinning all the time.
The 2000-11 Rangers, the 97-01 Explorers, 97-04 sport and sport trac are all this way from the factory

If you remove all of the vacuum lines from the valve down to both wheel hubs and then remove the valve itself (below pass headlight)
Then you will be able to route the vacuum line that feeds the hub controller right back into itself, remove the "T" and simply plug the two lines together
Will see if I can get a picture

Also you do not have to swap the entire knuckle, just the wheel bearing and CV axle.....but if your donor is a later model Explorer sport, sport trac or later model ranger the knuckle will have provisions for larger rotors...so in that case you will need the knuckle and larger rotors to take advatange of the bigger brakes



____________________
I build custom RBV, specializing in drivetrain conversions, wiring, suspension and complete custom trucks
Back To Top PM Quote Reply

 Posted: Thu Mar 12th, 2020 11:46 am
PM Quote Reply
12th Post
Scrambler82
Old Bastard !


Joined: Fri Dec 22nd, 2017
Location: California USA
Posts: 2108
Name: Grev B ...
Occupation: Quality Assurance Engineer ...
Interests: Rangers, Photography, Metal Bending ...
Status: 
Offline
Reputation: 
Reputation Points: 2108
Member's Gallery
 When I first read about the Vacuum Delete Procedure on the 98-99 Ranger my first thought was, I need them NOW !
Too bad some company didn't build a manual hub for that range of Rangers... I would have bought them, I think manual hubs would have given us Ranger owners a few more mpg.

Ltr



____________________
Ltr,
2003 EDGE, Std Cab, Steppie, E4 Red, 5sp, 4x
5" SuperLift, 33" x 12.50 x 15"
Hurst Shifter
Mod'd Backrack to fit Steppie
Front and Rear Bumpers by Custom 4x4 Fabrication, OK; now Mike's Welding and Fabrication.
Working on more Mods, just need more time, longer days would work !
Back To Top PM Quote Reply

 Posted: Thu Mar 12th, 2020 11:57 am
PM Quote Reply
13th Post
410customs

Idahome


Joined: Wed May 2nd, 2018
Location: Panhandle, Idaho USA
Posts: 2165
Name: Jamie ...
Occupation: Elevator Design Worlds Tallest Buildings ...
Interests: Ranger Based Vehicles and OFFROAD ...
Status: 
Offline
Reputation: 
Reputation Points: 2165
Member's Gallery
 they do make manual hubs for the 98-99 Ranger
Problem is they are not very strong, off road with big tires they just do not hold up

The 95-96 Explorer V6 came with a CAD (vacuum operated center axle disconnect) as part of the front axle/diff
This device disconnects the passenger front CV axle from the rest of the system, this way the front ring and pinion and front driveshaft do not spin
The problem with this is the differential will not clear the v8 oil pan easily, and they are getting harder to find.

The live axle setup works just fine, the gain in MPG is negligible, not a large gain to be had IMO



____________________
I build custom RBV, specializing in drivetrain conversions, wiring, suspension and complete custom trucks
Back To Top PM Quote Reply

 Posted: Thu Mar 12th, 2020 01:49 pm
PM Quote Reply
14th Post
aroundincircles
Member
 

Joined: Sun Nov 19th, 2017
Location: Chino Valley, Arizona USA
Posts: 361
Name: 
Occupation: 
Interests: 
Status: 
Offline
Reputation: 
Reputation Points: 361
Member's Gallery
 I went with manual hubs in the short term, running 31" tires. They have been great. Plenty of off road trips with them without issue. It is a temp solution, but I'm not unhappy with it.



____________________
https://aroundincircles.net/
1998 Mazda B4000
Mesa, AZ
Back To Top PM Quote Reply

 Posted: Thu Mar 12th, 2020 04:24 pm
PM Quote Reply
15th Post
410customs

Idahome


Joined: Wed May 2nd, 2018
Location: Panhandle, Idaho USA
Posts: 2165
Name: Jamie ...
Occupation: Elevator Design Worlds Tallest Buildings ...
Interests: Ranger Based Vehicles and OFFROAD ...
Status: 
Offline
Reputation: 
Reputation Points: 2165
Member's Gallery
 Good to hear! 
that's the cool thing about building Rangers, so many different options to keep every build different!



____________________
I build custom RBV, specializing in drivetrain conversions, wiring, suspension and complete custom trucks
Back To Top PM Quote Reply

 Posted: Thu Mar 12th, 2020 08:21 pm
PM Quote Reply
16th Post
black06xlt
Coal miner


Joined: Sat Nov 25th, 2017
Location: Flushing, Ohio USA
Posts: 1738
Name: 
Occupation: 
Interests: my wife my kids ford rangers ...
Status: 
Offline
Reputation: 
Reputation Points: 1738
Member's Gallery
 Scrambler82 wrote:
black06xlt wrote:

You can trace out all the lines but it was getting dark so I just capped the by the suspension
Black06, 

How did this turn out ?

You mentioned losing some mpg, funny, are you using manual locking hubs ?

Ltr
It turned out great.... I did loose a little mpg but after the 5 speed swap I gained it back. But when it was automatic the loss wasnt really noticable



____________________
1995 ranger splash (pieces)
Back To Top PM Quote Reply

Current time is 07:35 am Top  

Ford-Rangers.com Ranger Forum > Tech Section > How-To Section > Vacuum hub to live axle

Users viewing this topic



PHP Version: 8.2.28
Server version: 10.6.21-MariaDB
UltraBB 2.01.01 Copyright © 2008-2025 Jim & Chris
Page processed in 0.0703 seconds (40% database + 60% PHP). 81 queries executed.