All wheel drive to 2 wheel drive conversion

[6770shelby]

Finding a V8 2 wheel drive explorer donor vehicle for my V8 conversion is proving to be harder than I anticipated. My question is if I find a 2000 V8 explorer AWD, swap out the output shaft and transmission tail housing into a 2 wheel drive configuration and then install the engine/transmission into my 2000 V6 Ranger is it still a plug and play installation? My understand is that that the AWD transmission is always engaged and has no off/on PCM functions.

 

[don4331]

Why not just get a 2nd transmission out of a Mustang?

The 3.8 shares the same bellhousing pattern as the 5.0, so a Mustang 4R70W is basically same transmission as in a 2wd Explorer.​

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Why not just get a 2nd transmission out of a Mustang?

The 3.8 shares the same bellhousing pattern as the 5.0, so a Mustang 4R70W is basically same transmission as in a 2wd Explorer.​

4.2L F-150 also.

 

[JoshT]

Electrically a 2WD 5.0L Explorer and an AWD 5.0L Explorer are the same. Because it is always engaged and nothing to shift, there are no additional electronics to run the AWD transfer case.

Transmission is up to you on how you approach it. It should be noted that changing the output shaft likely requires a full tear down of the transmission. Since you would likely have to purcahse a 2wd transmission to acquire the outputshaft and tailhousing anyway, following the advice posted above might be worth while. If you do decide to go the route of completely swapping out the transmission, look into the electrical revisions of the 4R70W. While anyo f those suggestions can be made to work, there were upgrades and circuit changes over the years which will affect what is best and most compatable.

 

[scotts90ranger]

I agree, I know one of the changes was in '98 although I don't remember what it was...

Would be easier to get a trans from a Mustang or F150 as the output shaft is the first thing to go into the transmission case so EVERYTHING has to come out...

 

[SenorNoob]

Semi-serious question: Why not just leave the transfer case with no front shaft? I know it's potentially more to go wrong...

 

[JoshT]

@SenorNoob it's not a good idea on the AWD transfer case.

For one it will allegedly kill the transfer case running it much without the front shaft. IIRC it burns up the viscous coupling. I don't know if that would be a big issue for driving without the shaft, but it might result in lost power/efficiency?

The other big issue is that park won't hold the vehicle without the front driveshaft. If you have the AWD case without the front shaft you better set the parking brake any time you get out of it. If you don't it likely won't stay where you parked it and it's not because it was stolen. Several alleged cases of that happening over on the explorer forum.

 

[fastpakr]

@SenorNoob it's not a good idea on the AWD transfer case.

For one it will allegedly kill the transfer case running it much without the front shaft. IIRC it burns up the viscous coupling. I don't know if that would be a big issue for driving without the shaft, but it might result in lost power/efficiency?

The other big issue is that park won't hold the vehicle without the front driveshaft. If you have the AWD case without the front shaft you better set the parking brake any time you get out of it. If you don't it likely won't stay where you parked it and it's not because it was stolen. Several alleged cases of that happening over on the explorer forum.

I heard a first hand account of that happening recently. Definitely a valid concern.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Semi-serious question: Why not just leave the transfer case with no front shaft? I know it's potentially more to go wrong...

I would do that with a normal 4wd t-case. Then you could have low range if you ever wanted it too.

 

[JoshT]

Just for info if OP is interested in doing that, they want to look for a 4406 from an F-150 or Expedition to bolt behind the 4R. Be careful on selecting one as there were a few versions. All manual shift were straight 4wd transfer cases. Some electric shifts were torque on demand, which is a full time 4wd/awd setup with additional modes.

 

[tinman_72]

No one has brought up that you still need the steering knuckles (or spindles or whatever you want to call them) from a 2WD. Shouldn't be hard to find, I think all 2wd knuckles are the same V8 or V6.

 

[JoshT]

No one has brought up that you still need the steering knuckles (or spindles or whatever you want to call them) from a 2WD. Shouldn't be hard to find, I think all 2wd knuckles are the same V8 or V6.

He doesn't need to find them, his truck came with them. He's asking about putting an AWD drivetrain into his 2WD truck.

 

[6770shelby]

Thank you for answering my questions