http://www.ford-trucks.com/article/idx/9/277/article/Adding_Manual_Control_to_your_19982000_Ford_Ranger _Pulse_Vacuum_Hubs.html i hope this helps. i did mine and it took five minutes

what about dirt and crap getting in there, wont it screw something up?

I have been running like this for about a year and no problems. i leave the hubs engaged at all times like 01 and up rangers.

what do you do for a 1997 model? my hubs are not like that but I want to accomplish the same thing that you did. Can you help?