Hello,
I too have a 1998 Ford Ranger that the 4 wheel drive does not engage. I have been doing some research online and have found one main reason for this. Since our Fords are shift on the fly 4 wheel drive the hubs automatically engage for us when we switch that little nob. Well after 100,000 miles of doing this the automatic hubs wear down and the 4 wheel drive is unable to engage. I have done some research and those automatic hubs are about $200 each. But you can get the manual locking ones for about $75 each. If you get the $75 ones you will have to manually lock your hubs when using 4 wheel drive, but they will not wear out like the automatic ones do and they are cheaper.
A 1998 Ford Ranger is rear wheel drive ( or 4X4 capable )
Yes, there is a light to indicate 2 wheel drive; 4 wheel high; and 4 wheel low. I have a 1998 Ford Ranger XLT 4x4.
On the 1998 Ford Ranger , rear ABS brakes were standard on the XL and XLT 2 wheel drive and 4 wheel ABS was an option on the 2 wheel drive models. The more expensive 4x4 XLT version came with 4 wheel ABS according to my Consumer Guide book - Helpfull My Ranger does have 4 wheel ABS.
does your front axle hav lockouts? engage them. What kind of axles do you have. Is the sshifteractually hooked up?
Exhaust manifold.
Sounds like it might be the vaccum switch on the front axle.
There should be a dial next to the temperature controls that say... 2wd/awd/4l/4h
in the dash behind the glove compartment
front wheel drive
front wheel drive
It is rear wheel drive, until you shift it into 4 wheel drive.
The only way to get true 2-wheel drive would be to replace the transfer case.