84 4Runner 4WD not engaging
 

I just bought a 84 4runner and when locking the hubs, switching to 4H or 4L and going through the gears, the front end is not engaging. This truck is all stock great condition and 178K miles. I havent looked under the truck to make sure the front drive shaft is turning yet, but what could cause the lack of engagement ? Someone may have serviced the factory hubs and didnt assemble them back properly ?

Id check the hubs first. My hub gears were installed incorrectly when I bought my truck

Yes, check hubs first. Easy test is to lift the front tires off the ground and lock the hubs and spin the wheels and see if either the other tire or the front shaft turns. If not, pull the hubs and check the internals. Easy to put the hubs together where they won't lock right.

If the hubs are locking, might pull the t-case shifter base and see if the shifter is stabbed into the shift rails properly. That is also easy to do wrong and if the forks in the rails are not lined up right, it won't shift right. I like to put it in 4W (both rails forward) then stab the end of the shifter into the area between the two rails and then test before putting in all the bolts.

Hubs not engaging issue
 

I lifted the front and locked the hubs and they are not engaging yet when in 4H or 4L the front drive shaft is moving. it must have been the brake shop the previous owner took it to maybe during re-pack and screwed up. Truck has 180K and i'll eventually be going to 33's, should I just install a good heavy duty warn replacement hub set now and what brand / model is recommended ? Thanks all.

Fix the hubs you have. If stock Aisin, those are the best you can get. Just pull them apart and find out what is wrong. Most common is the locking ring is just put on in the wrong location. Threads here on rebuilding them.

Murphys Law twist to the non engaging hub scenario
 

Guys,

Ok, so I take the hub cap off and check the line up, everything is good with the hub. So I turn the drive shaft back and forth and theres no feel of any contact with any gearing in the front diff. ..... Sheared Pinon Gear teeth ? Ring Gear broken ? Spider Gears trashed ?
Running 32's 5-speed 22r, All stock truck. What ratio should I shoot for if I decide to eventually run 33's at the most ? The cheap way out right now would be to just figure out the stock ratio but the stock gears are hard to come by ? Im told by 4wheel parts that if I dont find a used set of gears that id have to go aftermarket of a different ratio, then having to do the rear as well in that case.

Looking for suggestions as this truck "may" run the rubicon at the very most, as this is a street and trail build.

Thanks !

4.88s are perfect for 33s. Are you sure your hubs are functioning? I doubt the ring gear or pinion are completly stripped

You just bought it. Does the front diff even have a ring gear?

Lol yea jsut check the hubs I went to my family friends house to do my brakes i get them done and with ours you gotta pull the hubs, well later that day i decide to go out and wheel a bit thank god i got out and checked my hubs i woulda burried myself in 15 feet of mud =/:bah: