If you’ve got a 1998, 1999 or 2000 Ford Ranger 4×4 and the factory vacuum hubs are acting up, three manual hubs drop right in: the Mile Marker 426, the Rugged Ridge 15001.70 and the AVM 470. No conversion kit needed, and the same hubs fit the 2001-2008 Mazda B3000 and B4000 4×4. One catch: they won’t fit Rangers built August through December 2000, or any 2001 and newer Ranger, so check your build date before you order.
I’ve been selling locking hubs since 1996, and I’ve done this hub swap on a Ranger myself. Here’s what fits, what doesn’t, and what to watch for when you do the install.
What manual locking hubs fit a 1998-2000 Ford Ranger?
Three part numbers fit the 1998-2000 Ranger 4×4 with the factory PVH hubs: the Mile Marker 426, the Rugged Ridge 15001.70 and the AVM 470. They fit the same trucks, mount the same way, come with the same parts in the box, and work the same way: a quarter turn of the dial from FREE to LOCK.
I don’t have paperwork to prove it, but in all my years installing and selling these, they look and act like they come from one manufacturer. Same hub, different badge, as far as I can tell. One caveat: it’s been a few years since I personally installed a set of any of these, and manufacturing processes change. Check the current listing and specs before you buy.
So the choice really comes down to price and who has them available when you’re ready to order. Here are the three, each with my notes and a link to the current price:
The hubs in my install photos below are the Rugged Ridge version.
Are the cheap no-name Ranger manual hubs any good?
Not in my experience. Since these hubs first came out, a lot of copycats have hit the market. The ones I’ve seen use cheaper materials and looser quality control, and they’ve given manual hubs for these trucks a bad name. Stick with a known part number like the Mile Marker 426 or the Rugged Ridge 15001.70. A hub that fails out on the trail costs you a lot more than the few bucks you saved.
Why replace the PVH hubs on a 1998-2000 Ranger?
The factory PVH hubs use vacuum to lock and unlock the front hubs. When a vacuum line cracks or a seal gives up, the hubs stop doing their job. You either can’t get 4WD when you need it, or the front end doesn’t fully let go when you’re back in 2WD.
Manual hubs take the vacuum system out of the picture. You turn the dial a quarter turn at each front wheel, and that’s it. If you want the full rundown on how the two types work, I wrote it up in how locking hubs work and manual vs automatic locking hubs.
Will these manual hubs fit my Ranger?
They fit if your truck is one of these:
- 1998, 1999 or 2000 Ford Ranger 4×4 with the factory PVH hubs
- 2001-2008 Mazda B3000 or B4000 4×4
They won’t fit:
- Rangers built August through December 2000. If your truck is a 2000, check the build date on the certification sticker in the driver’s door jamb before you order.
- 2001 and newer Ford Rangers.
- 1983-1997 Rangers. Those use a different hub. For a 1990-1997 Ranger or Explorer, look at the Mile Marker 428 hubs for 1990-1997 Rangers. For a 1983-1989 Ranger or Bronco II, see the 1983-1989 Ford Ranger and Bronco II locking hubs.
How do you install manual hubs on a 1998-2000 Ranger?
There are no bolts in this swap. At each front wheel the old PVH hub comes out, and the manual hub goes in its place, held by the clips around its edge. No cutting, no conversion kit. Here’s what I learned doing it.
1. Go easy on the clips. The clips around the edge of the hub are the tricky part, both coming out and going in. Take your time and don’t pry too hard. Bend or break one and you’re stuck waiting on parts.
2. Get the o-ring right. Use the new o-ring and make sure it’s seated properly before the hub goes in. It keeps water and grit out of your new hubs.
3. Do the tug test. Once the hub is in, grab it and try to shake it or pull it off. It should stay put. If it moves or pulls out, the clips didn’t lock in. Pull it and do it again.
4. Work the dial by hand. Make sure you can turn the dial from LOCK to FREE and back on both sides. If it binds, find out why now, not on the trail.
5. Drive it in 4WD. Lock both hubs, shift into 4WD and drive it. Make sure the front end is pulling under power. That’s the real proof the swap worked.
Ready to order? Check the current price on the Mile Marker 426 or the Rugged Ridge 15001.70.
1998-2000 Ford Ranger manual hub FAQ
Do I need a conversion kit to put manual hubs on a 1998-2000 Ranger?
No. The Mile Marker 426, Rugged Ridge 15001.70 and AVM 470 replace the factory PVH hubs directly.
Will 1998-2000 Ranger manual hubs fit a 2001 or newer Ranger?
No. On the Ford side they fit 1998-2000 Rangers only, and not the ones built August through December 2000. They do fit the 2001-2008 Mazda B3000 and B4000.
Is the Mile Marker 426 the same fit as the Rugged Ridge 15001.70?
Yes. Both are made for the 1998-2000 Ford Ranger 4×4 and the 2001-2008 Mazda B3000 and B4000 4×4, and both replace the factory PVH hubs.
How do I lock and unlock manual hubs?
Turn the dial on each front hub a quarter turn. LOCK before you shift into 4WD, FREE when you’re back in 2WD. Do both sides.
Are cheap no-name manual hubs OK for a 1998-2000 Ranger?
In my experience, no. Many of the copycats use cheaper materials and looser quality control. Stick with a known part number like the Mile Marker 426 or the Rugged Ridge 15001.70.