4wheel drive transfer case on a 2WD

[4.6StangRage]

My friend gave me n interesting idea one day. I live in the foothils and sometimes my 2.3L has trouble getting out of steep areas. My friend was thinking that if i got a transfer case and installed it onto my transmission that would be a good solution. He was explaining that if shifted into high, it will act normally but in low it will have reduced gearing. I really dont want 4wheel drive yet, but it will give me a good start until i find the whole front axle system. I know this question has been asked plenty of time but i want to reaffirm what i reasearched.

Parts i need

-Output shaft+ housing from a 4x4 M50d-R1 (which i have the 2wd version in my ranger)
-Transfer case + electronics because i want the electronic version not manual.
-Drive shaft from a 4x4 explorer 4x4 or ranger

that is it, right?

thanks

-

 

[feellnfroggy]

I would look into maybe regearing, before trying that option. And Im guessing your 2.3l when it isnt lacking power will get the one wheel peel thing going on alot too, maybe look into a locker or welded diff. A set of 4.11's wont up your rpms too bad, but should get you farther into your powerband so as you can pull up hill. As a matter of fact, I can almost guaruntee it, and that gearing wont totally kill your highway mileage.


BTW electronic is crazy for what your doing, you will need the vehicle speed sensor and all that jass. Thats just crazy, I think you would be happier with the Manual. However, depending on what foothills you live in If you find a manual T-case, I will swap you my electronic t-case and wiring even steven in a new york minute.

 

[cammeddrz]

if you were in fact looking to go with a 4wd conversion in the future anyway then you might be on the right track. but what i would do is find a complete married trans/t-case from a donor truck. and most of the time it is pretty cheap and would save you a bunch of trouble, and would also provide you with a complete and functioning 2wd trans that you could re-sell.

if possible getting a slightly older trans/t-case setup giving you a manual t-case which is more desirable. and since you already have a manual you can use just about any ranger manual trans that came with a manual 1354 t-case and a 2.3 with very little modification at all. i would bet the married setup would be around $300 which is almost how much you could sell your 2wd m5od for

and no matter what you will likely need to get whatever driveshaft you find shortened. which is no big deal because it cost me $60 to get new u-joints installed at both ends, and to have it shorted and balanced

just how i would do it. you don't have to listen to me

 

[4.6StangRage]

if you were in fact looking to go with a 4wd conversion in the future anyway then you might be on the right track. but what i would do is find a complete married trans/t-case from a donor truck. and most of the time it is pretty cheap and would save you a bunch of trouble, and would also provide you with a complete and functioning 2wd trans that you could re-sell.

if possible getting a slightly older trans/t-case setup giving you a manual t-case which is more desirable. and since you already have a manual you can use just about any ranger manual trans that came with a manual 1354 t-case and a 2.3 with very little modification at all. i would bet the married setup would be around $300 which is almost how much you could sell your 2wd m5od for

and no matter what you will likely need to get whatever driveshaft you find shortened. which is no big deal because it cost me $60 to get new u-joints installed at both ends, and to have it shorted and balanced

just how i would do it. you don't have to listen to me

I appreciate your responses; I wanted 4.10s but with the N/A 2.3 that would be perfect, however if i changed to a DOHC 3.2 liter i will probably loose fuel mileage on the highway in which i don't want. Actually I am stuck between the 2.3t and the SHO 3.2L for I am not too sure of what i want to do. I was told that the 3.2 wouldn't be good for 4x4 application but I want to try to keep my truck 2wd because the terrain i have to actually deal with is very minimal. I have driven my 2wd in the snow with no problems, but on the fly gear reduction would be great! I will consider manual t-case over electric version but we will see. thanks for the ideas!

 

[86 slo-vo]

it wouldnt technically be on the fly gear reduction, to put it in 4lo you need to be stopped

 

[feellnfroggy]

The recommendation against the 3.2l is primarily because the engine has a power band much higher in the rpms than the torquier motors of our 4wd's evne the 2.3l. However geared properly and depending on your application 3.2l would be fine, great for slippery high revving mud runs, not so great for slow rock crawling. If your crawling with an engine like that then you start looking into doublers and other hsyt like that and its alot more work then neccessary.