2wd or Awd Expo donor for my '99 4wd

[4wd]

I read all the articles and threads I could find on trannies but couldn't find the exact answer. I have a '99 4.0l 4wd auto and planning to swap in an explorer 5.0l and the 4r70w auto tranny. One of the tech library articles used a 2wd expo tranny, the second tech lib article list using an awd expo tranny. What donor expo should I look to get AWD or 2wd?

 

[RangerSVT]

If you want 4wd, use the awd donor, which uses a 4wd trans, if you want 2wd, use a 2wd trans...

SVT

 

[4wd]

After reading MudSlangers article in the tech lib, he had swapped in a 2wd expo into his 4wd ranger. I though that a 2wd was required, or a better choice. The 2wd expos are a little cheaper to buy, guess I'll keep looking for an awd.

 

[RangerSVT]

The only difference between the 2wd and awd explorer is the trans' output shaft and tail housing. Everything else is the same, year for year. If you find a 2wd and you get it, you'll need to either source a 4x4 trans from another explorer or f150, or buy the advance adapters kit (about $560), rebuild the 2wd trans with the AA parts, and use your stock ranger tcase...

SVT

 

[4wd]

Ok I think I am getting a much better idea. So I think my three options are below, please let me know if I am totally incorrect.

Option 1:
Easiest is to use a 5.0L awd expo donor and swap over the 5.0l engine, 4r70w trans + AWD transfer case. No Advanced Adapters need, front and rear drive shafts do not need to be modified.

Option 2:
If I used a 5.0l 2wd expo donor, I coud swap the engine easily, but would have to use the Advanced Adapter parts to modify/change the 2wd 4r70w tailshaft and housing to accept the ranger Borg Warner 1354 t-case. Front and rear drive shafts would need also need to be modified, but I would gain the part time 2speed t-case.

Option 3:
If I wanted to keep the Borg Warner 1354 t-case, in both donors 2wd and awd. I would still need to use the Advanced Adapter parts to modify trans same as option 2. would I need to change the awd tailshaft or just the housing?

Thanks to all for putting up with these dumb questions.

 

[RangerSVT]

Option 4: use awd setup and get a full size tcase to use (1356, 4406, np 208, np 205, etc). On the 4x4 tcase, you will use the advance adapter output shaft and tail housing to run the ranger tcase. The ranger tcase is a 5 bolt pattern, the full size a 6 bolt pattern. AA has two different length tail housings, 5 and 9, and the possibility exists that you may need to modify your driveshafts, depending on what tcase you use...

SVT

 

[4wd]

Just what I needed more options. The problem with more options is that it usually makes more work and my wallet alot thinner! RangerSVT thank you very much for the info, I appreciate it.