Mod: Pulse Vacuum Hub Fix
Difficulty: 1/10
Time: 15min

Author:Jason Gonderman (inspired by article at TheRangerStation
Please direct all questions and comments to the author.

This mod will bypass the vacuum system on 98’ to 00’ 4wd Rangers there by making them full time live axles similar to the system on 00 ½’ and newer Rangers.



Tools/Equipment needed:

• Two flat head screwdrivers
• Plyers

First step is to remove the lug cover on the wheel.


Next take two flat head screwdrivers and insert them into the indented tabs on the hub. Take it and press in and turn to the left and the same time. The cap will turn a small amount left and unhook.


Under the cap is a black rubber seal. Remove this.


Next, under the rubber cap is a white “locking mechanism”


Take out that white “locking mechanism” and separate the two sides. Inside of the “mechanism” is a small metal clip.


Take your pliers and remove this metal clip from the “mechanism”


Now reinstall in the reverse order.

Do the other side!



Mod Complete:

Your axles are now locked, just like the new live axle set up!



Edited by Jason Gonderman (rngprerunner) for grammar and format.

 

if i make this conversion will i be in constant 4wd or will in dash accuator still take it out?

 

You will be making the front axle on your 1998-2000 Ranger into a 2001 and up Ranger system, live axle.

Transfer case still works the same, the buttons or **** on the dash still selects 2WD or 4WD nothing changes in that mechanism.

After this conversion if you select 2WD then you are in 2WD, no power is going to the front axle, if you select 4WD then transfer case sends power to both front and rear axles

 

thanks ill definatly consider it

 

does anyone have a diagram or pictures of all the components of those hubs?

 

More pictures here: Permanently Lock Your 1998-2000 Ford Ranger PVH Pulse Vacuum Hubs

There is also a manual hub option from AVM, read here: 1998-2000 Ford Ranger Rugged Ridge (AVM) Locking Hubs

While 1998 to 2000 were the "official years" that Ford used PVH on Rangers, Ford started using "live axle" on some Rangers as early as 1999, one report of late 1998.
If you have a 1998-2000 Ranger chances are you have PVH, but it isn't certain.

 

Any adverse or long term issues in doing this mod for those that have been running it awhile?

 

This seems so simple.

I have been having trouble with the hubs on my 99. Last year i replaced all the hoses and still seemed like there was a small leak some where. I cam across this and thought this would be a perfect solution. I read through it a couple of times and then when out and did the steps on my truck. Now I have no 4x4 at all. The front hubs are not engaging at all?. Like I said it seems so simple. What on earth could I have done wrong???

 

At the risk of reviving a very old thread, I just bought a 1998 Ranger with 6k miles on it! Perfect shape but the vacuum lines deteriorated and hubs not working. Was going to replace vacuum lines but this seems a better fix as the lines seem an easy point of failure. If hubs are locked full time any adverse issues with from diff/axle anyone has noticed? Perhaps this is answered somewhere else? I assume then I simply need to plug vacuum lines at source to avoid vacuum leak when in 4WD.