Transfer case

[tamnative]

Hello all,
I have a 2000 Ranger XLT 4x4 auto. w/4.0, it has the electric "on the fly" transfer case (a Borg Warner 1354) I believe. My question is can this be changed to a manual transfer case by using the parts from a donor case that is a manual? I would like to be able to flat tow it without having to disconnect the drive shaft.

 

[Mac]

You would also have to change out the extension housing between trans and transfer case. It has the two bosses that the linkage mounts to.
Dave

 

[AgPete139]

Howdy,

I have a 1997 that originally came with the BW1354 electric. I swapped out an entire BW1354 manual. It's easier.

There was something around called "The Shiftser" which changed the electric motor unit to a knob. That's the closest you'll conveniently get to a reliable manual unit in the electric case. The downside to this is that to activate it, you have to get out and under your truck to switch it.

Pete

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

You would also have to change out the extension housing between trans and transfer case. It has the two bosses that the linkage mounts to.
Dave

There is a work around for that:

As seen in this article:

http://www.therangerstation.com/Magazine/January2011/M5OD-R1HD_swap.shtml

 

[4x4junkie]

^^
That's a clever setup. I hadn't seen that before.

 

[AgPete139]

Same.

I remember Nathan's tranny swap, not the lever setup. Selective reading, I guess.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

I have no idea how I remembered that but Mac kinda clued me onto that thread when I was researching shifters for my M5OD.

 

[04_Ranger4x4]

I too have an interest in flat towing a '04 Ranger 4x4 automatic (has the electronic BW1354 transfer case).
Converting it from electronic to mechanical shifting (e.g. via the Shiftster with a hole drilled for 'N' position) looked interesting.
However, my understanding is that when the BW1354 transfer case is in 'N', you get the input shaft disconnected, but the two output shafts for F & R wheels are *connected*. As I understand it, this would not be good for flat towing.

 

[franklin2]

I too have an interest in flat towing a '04 Ranger 4x4 automatic (has the electronic BW1354 transfer case).
Converting it from electronic to mechanical shifting (e.g. via the Shiftster with a hole drilled for 'N' position) looked interesting.
However, my understanding is that when the BW1354 transfer case is in 'N', you get the input shaft disconnected, but the two output shafts for F & R wheels are *connected*. As I understand it, this would not be good for flat towing.

Do you have a source for that info? From what I understand the front driveline is connected via a electric clutch, much like the clutch on the front of a A/C compressor. This brings the front driveline up to speed so you can shift on the fly into 4x4 at speed. I would think with the key off, this clutch would not be activated.

What I am also not sure of, which maybe you already know, is there a button sequence to put this transfer case in neutral? It does have a neutral position, just don't know if the control system will let you select it. My control system failed on my truck, so I wired the motor up directly on a switch I mounted under the dash and manually selected what I needed that way.

 

[04_Ranger4x4]

My 2004 Ranger 4x4 does not have a Neutral position on the Transfer Case (TC) selector knob.
But apparently the transfer case (BW1354) does have a Neutral position.

I found this video on YouTube that shows the BW1354 TC with the shift motor removed.
Refer to time 4:00 and later for the explanation of the 'N' position.

You can see the 'N' position marked on the TC casting.
*HOWEVER*, when the TC is in the 'N' position the result is the following:
- input shaft (i.e. transmission) is disconnected -- this is good for flat towing.
- Front and Rear output shafts are connected to each other -- not good for flat towing a vehicle

I have no experience with transfer cases, so let me know if I am misunderstanding the info above.

 

[franklin2]

This link sort of verifies what you are saying. If it has a manual shift transfer case, yes it can be towed. If it has a electric shift transfer case, no it can't.

https://images.goodsam.com/newmotorhome/towguides/1990DinghyGuide.pdf