2003 SWB Ranger 2x to 4x conversion

[Ruffinit]

Tell me this; I have a '03 Ranger with the 2.3 dohc/5spd. What would it take or is it possible to drop one of the front drive axles (given the ratio is the same) from my '88, '89 BII or '94 Exp under it? All three of them are complete vehicles.
I know that some of the 4x2 Rangers/BIIs don't have a crossmember that the 4x4s have. Is that still true on this generation?

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

The 98+ Rangers have a totally different front suspension compared to the older trucks that you have. I'm sure it would be possible to do the front suspension from an older one, but it's gonna take a TON of fab work to do.

 

[ati190]

If it's a sport, or an edge you would only need to add whats missing, IIRC.

 

[pjtoledo]

the 2wd front coil spring trucks have different frames, no EASY way to do 4WD conversions on them.

 

[Fx4wannabe01]

^^x2.


Solid axle it on the existing frame. OR...front half or swap frames with a 4x4 98+ with the same cab/bed config(or get a 2wd torsion bar frame then do the conversion. Only one bracket needs welded to he frame, everything else is bolt-on. Go manual tcase.).

 

[exbass94]

IF (and that's a BIG "if") you have a torsion bar front suspension, look at THIS LINK. Notice how he had to disassemble his entire transmission. Even though you have a manual trans, you still need to disassemble it completely to swap the output shaft. It would be easier to swap out your transmission for a 4wd one, but Ford never made the 2.3 Duratec with 4wd, so you're stuck with disassembling the one you have.

Now, if you have a coil spring suspension, you'd be better off either swapping frames, or doing an SAS. And you'd still need to take apart your trans.

 

[Ruffinit]

Bummer.. I was hoping that this was going to be a simple swap, but wasn't sure about the twin axle fronts.. Didn't realize that they used different frames on the 4x2 vs 4x4. My Ranger is in new condition, so I'm not willing to do the frame-off and was hoping to do it with a light budget. Ahh well, thanks for the info.

 

[Ruffinit]

BTW, the truck is a regular cab step side like the original Splash.

 

[Fx4wannabe01]

IF (and that's a BIG "if") you have a torsion bar front suspension

OP says 2.3L in the OP.....2.3's Duratec's are only found on coilspring 2wd's. Not torsion bar.

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

yep, there is no simple or cheap way to do it with these newer trucks.

i did it with my choptop but BIIs use a 4x4 frame and trans on their 2wds

 

[Fx4wannabe01]

yep, there is no simple or cheap way to do it with these newer trucks.

correction...there is no simple or cheap way to do it with the OP's truck. Converting a Trailhead/Edge/Sport 2wd(torsion bar) to 4x4 is really almost a bolt in project and can be done for pretty cheap....only one bracket needs welded onto the frame.