converting to 4x4

DesertStorm · Oct 17, 2007

hey everyone. Need to ask the experts a few questions. I have a 94 ranger 2wd. 2.3L 5 speed i believe the trans is a m5od? Any how i am wanting to convert it to 4x4. I have a bw 1350 out of my wrecked 85 B2. What kind of adaptors will i need to mount the t-case up to the 2.3L man. tranny? Is this even possible. I am going to be getting a Dana 35 for my front axle. This is going to be my winter project. Has anyone done this before? If so how much trouble did you run into? I have the stock driveshafts out of the B2 I am planning on getting them modded to work for my application. Any comments/suggestions greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

DesertStorm · Oct 17, 2007

i searched the forums couldnt find any helpful info. Maybe someone can help me. I am going to convert my 94 2wd to 4x4. My question is will the factory 2wd pivot brackets accept the 4wd ttb axle? Or do i need to get a set of stock 4x4 pivot brackets? Also do the 4x4 coil springs sit in the 2wd spring buckets the same? Not planning on any lift. Thanks in advance.

Wicked_Sludge · Oct 17, 2007

this has already been covered quite a few time.

the coil buckets (supposedly), pivot brackets, and engine crossmember are different and all the rivets (lots) will have to be ground out, peices swapped, and bolts inserted. it can be done, but its way more work then its worth (if you crawl under your truck and look at the tight location and number of rivets that need removed, you'll see what i mean). its much easier to sell your 2wd and buy a 4x4.

DesertStorm · Oct 17, 2007

i couldnt get any search results to pull up. Most likely my fault.

PARKINGLOT · Oct 18, 2007

well, I believe most who have tried, have figured it's easier to do an SAS to convert a 2wd to 4wd. If you plan on swapping the Dana 35 TTB, you'll need to change the engine crossmember as the 2wd one is different. As for the t-case, you MAY be able to swap a 4wd tailhousing onto it, but I'm not sure on that one. It may be easier/less hassle to find a 4x4 tranny instead.

Either way, good luck!

JohnnyO · Oct 18, 2007

I'll second Sludge. It's been covered, possibly the info was lost in the server changeover. It's possible but frankly not worth the time and effort when there are so many 4x4's out there anyway.

metalmacguyver · Oct 18, 2007

i am pretty sure that the M5OD has a different output shaft for 2wd and 4x4.

projectnitemare · Oct 18, 2007

The output shafts are different between 2wd and 4wd; most all transmissions are that way. Like said earlier the TTB engine crossmembers are different between 2wd and 4wd. That is the main reason the SAS is less time consuming. The easiest way you can make that a 4x4 is to find an older divorced t-case like a Dana 24. You will need to make a crossmember for it and 3 driveshafts. Add a solid axle in the front and done. Just another option to removing the engine and crossmembers and finding another transmission.

Matt

PARKINGLOT · Oct 18, 2007

a divorced NP205 may work as well, but I can't remeber if they are driver's or passenger side drop...

DesertStorm · Oct 18, 2007

Thank all of you for your info. Very informative.

DesertStorm · Oct 18, 2007

Thank you for yalls input.

AllanD · Oct 18, 2007

The coil buckets are NEARLY the same, the difference is in the placement of ONE rivet hole that is located differently because where it passes through the frame rail it would interfere with the rear vertical flange of the crossmember.

The Entire engine crossmember is DIFFERENT.

On the 2wd there is no "bracket" per say for the passenger side beam
it is actually a folded part of the crossmember.

And you can't simply cut it away and mount the 4x4 bracket, because the 4x4 crossmember is physically WIDER so that the diff chunk can partly "tuck" up
inside the crossmember.

The crossmember MUST be changed.

Or you must do an SAS swap instead.

The EASY way to convert if you really want to convert is get another frame from the junkyard.

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