2wd-->4x4: tranfer case.

[rangerluigi]

im eventualy going to swap some d44s from an old ford into my 02 xlt 2wd. right now im looking at everything i need to do for it to happen. my question is would i have to get a new tranny or could i just put a manual transfer case on my existing tranny?
thanks,

 

[bduke23]

I think you need a 4x4 transmission. I've been told that the output shaft on the 2wd, even it it is the same model tranny used in a 4x4, is too short to properly engage the tcase. So you need a tranny out of a 4x4, because it has the correct length output shaft. I think though that you could simply take apart your 2wd tranny and replace that output shaft with a longer one, and then you'd be good to go. Provided of course you can take apart and put a tranny back together.

 

[cammeddrz]

there is always the possibility of divorced t-case setup. in fact if you find an old donor truck for your axles it may in fact have a divorced t-case anyway so then the donor driveshafts would only need shortening as opposed to total custom built shafts.

 

[rangerluigi]

alright thanks
i dont think taking the tranny apart would be a problem but i could see myself being more lucky to find a 4x4 tranny then to find that output shaft and a matching transfer case

 

[Original_Ranger84]

Yeah its definately easier to swap out a whole tranny then take it out and take it apart and get the part you need.

It already out why not just pop in what you need.

 

[rangerluigi]

yeah lol plus i looked at both the 2wd and 4x4 tranny, and they look completely different so the internals are prob different

 

[Original_Ranger84]

They should be the exact same tranny... unless its an automatic in which case you may have looked at a different version. For the Manual they have used only the Mazda M5OD since like 1990, and the Automatics are the A4LD up until about 1995 and then they had 2 options for automatics the 4R44E till 2000 and the 5R44E for the 3.0L and the 4.0l had different trannys 4R55E and the 5R55E. so yeah... lots of difference in auo trannys.

 

[rangerluigi]

yeah i have an automatic, the 5r44e

 

[Original_Ranger84]

Well in that case I don't believe you would be able to do it anyways. The M5OD has complete interchangable parts unlike the autos...

I would just get the 4x4 trans and swap them out. but you have to find the 3.0L trans.

 

[rangerluigi]

yeah looks like im going to be digging through junk yards!
i believe auto tranny's from 01-09 3.0l's will fit so i just have to find a 4x4 one

 

[rangerluigi]

oh and whats a divorced t-case?? is that when it sits behind the tranny?

 

[RangerSVT]

I think you need a 4x4 transmission. I've been told that the output shaft on the 2wd, even it it is the same model tranny used in a 4x4, is too short to properly engage the tcase. So you need a tranny out of a 4x4, because it has the correct length output shaft. I think though that you could simply take apart your 2wd tranny and replace that output shaft with a longer one, and then you'd be good to go. Provided of course you can take apart and put a tranny back together.

Actually, the 2WD output shaft is too long, the 4x4 shaft is shorter due to the fact that the tailshaft housing is removed in place for a transfer case adapter housing...
SVT

 

[cammeddrz]

oh and whats a divorced t-case?? is that when it sits behind the tranny?

most newer trucks have a "married" t-case that bolts to the transmission. but the older trucks had a "divorced" t-case that often utilized the same transmission as the 2wd models, and just had a yoke input with a u-joint connecting it to the yoke on the output shaft of the transmission, they usually had a second cross member for the t-case to sit on (but not always), not too hard to add one piece of channel going side-to-side bolted to the frame-rails

 

[rangerluigi]

alright, nice! that sounds like a plan
i think getting them to match up will be a challenge lol
and thank you guys by the way

 

[bduke23]

Actually, the 2WD output shaft is too long, the 4x4 shaft is shorter due to the fact that the tailshaft housing is removed in place for a transfer case adapter housing...
SVT

I stand corrected