2002 ranger edge 4x4 conversion

[Ohhnulix]

I recently acquired a 2002 ranger edge 3.0, it’s only 2 wheel drive but from what I’ve found the front end is almost identical to a 4wd ranger. I would like to try to covert it to 4 wheel drive if possible, I could easily find the front end stuff and a transmission, I plan on using manual locking hubs in whatever goes in the front. My big question is, would it be possible to put a manual transfer case in? I don’t want to have to mess with the electric wiring and such for the automatic transfer case, so I’d like to get an older manual one to throw in

 

[Dirtman]

This topic has been discussed quite a bit. It's basically never worth it in the end. You need a 4x4 automatic transmission from a 2001+ 3.0, transfer case, front and rear driveshaft, front diff with matching gear ratio of your current rear differential, all front end compartments, brakes, axles, knuckles, etc, front frame k member, depending on your suspension you may also need control arms, shocks, and springs. Manual t-case would be rare and only available from an fx4 lv 2. If you have 15" rims you'll need 16".

In the end you pretty much need a whole donor truck and at that point it's easier to just use the donor truck...

 

[pjtoledo]

it depends on which front suspension you have.

torsion bar systems are easy.

coil systems will not be a simple bolt on.

a manual transfer case should be easiest, the truck's other systems won't even know it's there. except maybe the speed sensor, I'm not sure where the 2002 gets the signal.

15 or 16 wheels depend on which knuckles you choose, they both bolt on.

brakes are the same, shocks, torsion bars, control arms (torsion only) are the same.

I'll see if i can get some pics of where the front diff bolts on.

 

[Dirtman]

it depends on which front suspension you have.

torsion bar systems are easy.

coil systems will not be a simple bolt on.

a manual transfer case should be easiest, the truck's other systems won't even know it's there. except maybe the speed sensor, I'm not sure where the 2002 gets the signal.

15 or 16 wheels depend on which knuckles you choose, they both bolt on.

brakes are the same, shocks, torsion bars, control arms (torsion only) are the same.

I'll see if i can get some pics of where the front diff bolts on.

Don't the torsion trucks still use a spindle style front rotor?

 

[pjtoledo]

Don't the torsion trucks still use a spindle style front rotor?

yes they do.
2WD Rangers stayed at 11.25" brakes not sure about the 2009-2011 years.
2001 2WD Sport Tracs have 12" brakes. aside from a 1/2" drop the spindles mounting points are physically the same size as 4WDs.

they both use the same calipers & brackets & pads, there may be a slightly larger pad available for Explorers.

for some strange reason I put the Sport Trac 2wd spindles on the front of my 2001 4wd. they do fit.
I'm tinkering with the front end parts, eventually I'll put a different diff up front. right now it's removed.

 

[pjtoledo]

here are pics of where the front diff mounts on a 2000 4WD.
there is a space on the bottom of each motor mount for the ears on the diff/axle tube, and something that looks like
a small plate on the inside of the drivers side frame where the bracket mounts.


this is the bottom view of the driver side mount, motor mount is on top, rack is on the right.

bottom view of the plate that the bracket hangs from.

passenger side

 

[Curious Hound]

A divorced transfer case may be a possibility. But there's probably a bunch of fab work to make that happen.

With enough money and a hard enough head, almost anything can be made to happen.

 

[Grumpaw]

A divorced transfer case may be a possibility. But there's probably a bunch of fab work to make that happen.

With enough money and a hard enough head, almost anything can be made to happen.

Dose that mean I could drop a Hemi into a Hugo ???

 

[Curious Hound]

Dose that mean I could drop a Hemi into a Hugo ???

You know it does. I will eagerly follow your build thread.