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1989 Ranger Transfer Case Motor?


Pono

Active Member
Joined
Nov 22, 2019
Messages
39
City
Hawaii
Vehicle Year
1989
Transmission
Manual
In the last few years my transfer case motor has been intermittent. Now it is not working at all. I have made an effort to exercise at lest once a month but not always the case. I am assuming the issue is due to lack of use. Has anyone had any experience with this. Should I disassemble and clean before buying a new one?

Thank you,
John
 

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After a number of years the rubber stopper at the 4x2 position wears out/compresses and freaks out the rheostat on the motor. I don't remember the fix for that but I know it is a thing...
 
It is built similar to a starter inside. As Scott noted I am also vague as to it's exact position in there but I think it's like a copper washer that tends to wear out in one spot and the simple fix is to flip it or spin it, or possibly replace it.
The first time I pulled the wiring harness something broke and it never tucked in as tightly as before but that made it easier to get off anyway. Other than all the other things to dig through going in it removes easier than a small starter and is similar inside also. The skid plate does a lot in protecting it

I typed that up as if he and I are talking about the same thing but I never had a problem there with any rubber plugs or anything. Fact is I bought an aftermarket and kept the original but haven't had any problems since. If you need photos I can maybe find it and show you a simple fix that could save you the $100
 
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I would rebuild and clean it. But I’m cheap. I think I have pictures of that process somewhere in my build thread.

Here you go.

 
Thanks guy's. Good place to start. Thanks Eric for the pictures. JM
 
I completed the fix. I found a youtube post that was very helpful. I thought I would post it. I took the unit apart and cleaned the electrical contacts and greased the bushings and worm gear. The plastic bushing in the youtube presentation was exactly the problem. I picked up a piece plastic tubing and cut accordingly.

-John

 
I wouldn't mess with it, swap a manual transfer case in and get rid of that slow, unreliable electric shift.
 
I wouldn't mess with it, swap a manual transfer case in and get rid of that slow, unreliable electric shift.
As with almost anything else, they are reliable if taken care of. Mine works great.
 
I wouldn't mess with it, swap a manual transfer case in and get rid of that slow, unreliable electric shift.
I'm with ya, but the manual 1354's are getting RARE, even manual 1350's aren't as common to find in the wild as they used to be... heck I put a manual transfer case on my '00 V8 Explorer Limited, it's fantabulous, should have been factory equipped... and have another setup for my '98 Eddie Bauer... but neither of those started with any of the parts to put in an electric case... if it's not too bad to fix and all the stuff works there's nothing wrong with the electric cases, the most common failure is that rubber stopper and dirty contacts...
 
Do you got to get the model number off of the tag ? I have a 96 Explorer too I need to see what it's made of.
The tranny's a 445? something but has a blown seal, I'd like to check the transfer case and rear differential.

I've never much thought about the front, some way i thought it was likely less than desirable anyhow?
The door label on the 96 Explorer has a T - 45 / axle - T and sprg - B F

Is any of that worth hanging onto ?
 
As with almost anything else, they are reliable if taken care of. Mine works great.
What is there to take care of? There is no maintenance on switches, wires, relays, control modules, and the motor, and if any one of those things fails your 4x4 doesn't work, and even when it is working it takes much longer to shift than with a manual transfer case.
 
I'm with ya, but the manual 1354's are getting RARE, even manual 1350's aren't as common to find in the wild as they used to be... heck I put a manual transfer case on my '00 V8 Explorer Limited, it's fantabulous, should have been factory equipped... and have another setup for my '98 Eddie Bauer... but neither of those started with any of the parts to put in an electric case... if it's not too bad to fix and all the stuff works there's nothing wrong with the electric cases, the most common failure is that rubber stopper and dirty contacts...
Yeah I picked up two manual 1354s for my swap, going to run one and rebuild the other for a spare.
 
What is there to take care of? There is no maintenance on switches, wires, relays, control modules, and the motor, and if any one of those things fails your 4x4 doesn't work, and even when it is working it takes much longer to shift than with a manual transfer case.
Cycle it regularly and, every few years, clean and reduce the worm gear assembly. That's it. It's simple and it works.

Yes. It may take 2 or 3 seconds to shift. So what? It's a 4x4 on the trail, not a funny car at Z Max.
 
Cycle it regularly and, every few years, clean and reduce the worm gear assembly. That's it. It's simple and it works.

Yes. It may take 2 or 3 seconds to shift. So what? It's a 4x4 on the trail, not a funny car at Z Max.
Again there is more to it to make it shift than just a motor, and yes having to be stopped in neutral with you foot on the brake and clutch pushed in to go into 4x4 low is very annoying when you are in and out of low rage often. With the manual shift 4x4 you can just pop it in neutral or push the clutch in, yank the lever back into low put it in gear and be on your way, don't even have to be fully stopped, and you don't have to worry about not getting into low range or being stuck in low range, if a speed sensor or brake light switch gets wet or goes bad.
 
You are mistaken there sir, it will engage while going down the road, up to 55 MPH by the manual, possibly more if one should choose. I would not care to lock in a manual at 55
 

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