4x4 Solid axle into a 97 4x2 Ranger


WyoCowboy

15+ Year Member

Joined
Sep 20, 2007
Messages
22
Points
3,101
Age
40
City
BFN Wyoming
Vehicle Year
1997
Transmission
Manual
I want to convert my 4x2 ranger into a 4x4 I have a wrecked 95 ranger 4x4 with a good transfer case and front end. I have a T5 in my 97, is there a adapter for the ranger t case to the t5? I don't want the TIB front end I want a solid axle. Is there a simple kit to convert. I don't need a D44 I think a D35 will work fine. I have access to a Jeep D35 axle. The differential is on the correct side. Im up for any suggestions. If you can help that would be great.
 
Well, no one makes a kit that I know of. You have to fab everything yourself. Look in the extreme suspension section for more info. All the D35 axles were rear axles on the jeep. You might mean the D30's from the XJ's. They are said to be weak, but I think if you don't abuse them to much it'll hold up fine. As for a stronger axle, most people do choose D44's or 30's from Early Broncos. And with most solid axle swaps you need at to lift it aleast 6in, to clear cross members.
I wondered how you had a t-5....turbo swap!!! As far as I know there isn't an adapter for a 1350 or 1354 to bolt up to a T-5. Plus it being a 2wd you'd have to find a different tailhousing for it to (4x4). You'd have to find a full size t-case to bolt to it. Maybe someone else can chime in and add something.
 
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The T5 swap was really easy. Its behind my 2.3 Turbo. Everything is off of a 88 Tbird Turbocoupe. The 87 and 88 tbirds are the only 2.3 turbo that had an hydraulic clutch. Stock ranger clutch master cylinder, modified the line, stock tbird slave cylinder. Welded a plate the the stock cross member to bolt the tranny mount to the truck. Other than that the stock drive line fits right in. Oh i had to convert to bucket seats because the sifter moved back 9 inches.

Is the D44 axle from the early bronco's wider than the stock ranger TIB? You are probably right on the jeep axle. I was thinking of converting that jeep axle with leaf springs into the truck. Eliminating the stock coil buckets. I'm not after all out rock climbing. I like to trail with 32" tires. The engine ain't a big power house. I working for 300hp with like 400torq. Right now its 190hp and 220torq at the flywheel.
 
Well shit... I hit the trails with 30's and stock suspension, and 100hp, 130ft/lbs. of tourqe 2.3!! Lol.
 
They may be a little wider.
 
thanks I can do a lot of trails in the summer but nothing serious so thats why I'm trying to convert. I have a 91 SHO that I'm thinking of swaping into my 94 Mazda B2300 its 220hp and 200 torq I think. You should swap for a turbo motor its well worth it at least in my BAJA truck.
Thanks for the help I'll move this question to the other Thread
 
The early Bronco D30 is probably the weakest one of any (lo-pinion and small u-joints), I'd be looking for the '95-'99 Jeep XJ axle if you want a D30 (hi-pinion & larger u-joints).

If your Ranger is a reg-cab shortbox, you should be fine with the XJ D30 and 32" tires. A heavier Supercab Ranger would be putting it closer to it's limit though.

XJ D30 width is right about 60" (about 1-2" wider than the stock 2WD TIB on yours)
 
No my truck is a single cab long box. There not as heavy as the super cab are they?
 
No, the Supercab is still a lot heavier.
Your reg cab long is probably around 1900-2000lbs on the frontend with the 4cyl engine, whereas a S/C Ranger can be a bit over 2400lbs (although compare that to the 1750 or so lbs for the Jeep that the 30 comes from).

Don't abuse it too much and you'll probably be fine.
 
certain S10 blazers in the mid to late 90s came with 4wd T5's, you can use the tailhousing off of one of those trucks to convert to 4wd, you would need to find a 21 spline np231 or something to run for a tcase though.
 
i looked at the s10 and blazers T5 and the problem that exists is the speedometer is in the wrong location and this being a everyday driver I need the speedometer. Is there a way around this? Is maybe a divorced Tcase an option?
 
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