4x4 -> 2x4 conversion

[vigness]

I have a '03 4.0 4x4 that is having transmission problems, and it's going to be a when not if I have to dump some money into it. But...

I have a '98 4x2 that has a good transmission, same ( bad ) motor.
Hell, I have a '98 4x2 with a 3.0 to rob from as well. They are both my parts trucks.
Overheated and then a pair of cold center cylinders on the right bank in both '98's. Guess '98 wasn't that great a year.

Is it just wishful thinking that I could swap trans and drive shaft between the 4.0 trucks? Every drive train dimension I can find matches, including the wheelbase.

Has anybody done this? I could see going 4x2 to 4x4 being a nightmare, but 4x4 to 4x2 would just be not using the 4x4 selector and removing the front drive shaft in my mind... or am I missing something obvious? I'd be tickled if somebody said I could pull the tail cone from the 4x2 and the transfer case without having to actually swap transmissions.

 

[Snoranger]

The 3.0 bellhousing won’t bolt up to the 4.0l... so that’s out.

 

[bobbywalter]

He said 1 is a 4.0


You can put the 4x4 4.0 parts in the good 2wd 4.0 trans....or just do what you suggest and convert

The driveshafts may have an issue...but likely not enough to care about.

 

[Snoranger]

He said 1 is a 4.0


You can put the 4x4 4.0 parts in the good 2wd 4.0 trans....or just do what you suggest and convert

The driveshafts may have an issue...but likely not enough to care about.

I missed that and only though 3.0l when he said the “same motor”.

Wouldn’t the ‘03 need the intermediate shaft speed sensor that his ‘98 trans doesn’t have?

 

[bobbywalter]

I missed that and only though 3.0l when he said the “same motor”.

Wouldn’t the ‘03 need the intermediate shaft speed sensor that his ‘98 trans doesn’t have?

He has to swap it all. .and likely shim it too...to make up for the height

Will suck. I would swap the 4x4 parts to the good 2wd trans.

 

[sgtsandman]

Might run into a drive shaft length problem. I had a hell of a time trying to find a drive shaft for my '98 2.5 Lima with a manual transmission. All the other driveshafts were too short. But as long as the engine is the same as the donor, the transmission should mate right up. You may have to do some sorting on the drive shaft. The donor would be the first place I look.

 

[rusty ol ranger]

Might be better off selling some of the pares and finding a good junkyard trans.

 

[bobbywalter]

Might run into a drive shaft length problem. I had a hell of a time trying to find a drive shaft for my '98 2.5 Lima with a manual transmission. All the other driveshafts were too short. But as long as the engine is the same as the donor, the transmission should mate right up. You may have to do some sorting on the drive shaft. The donor would be the first place I look.

That's what me and snow ranger are talking about

Probably have to shim it all down. The intermediate bracket...trans and shim the axle up


Or maybe not

 

[superj]

only one way to find out!

 

[vigness]

Ah, the drive shaft angle was something I hadn't considered.

Drive trains on both trucks are complete. the two I'm looking at are both 4.0. The 4x4 drive shaft has several inches ( 6+ ) of travel in the slider, have not taken the 2x4 shaft off to check it. Did a little digging and did find one discrepancy between them, but not something I'm concerned with, the 2x4 wheelbase is .2" shorter than the 4x4. The 3.0 and 4.0 2x4 '98 drive shafts are the same by the interchange book and the 3.0 is up on stands being stripped for parts so I'll pull that shaft first to see how much I have to play with.

Will have to check on the intermediate shaft speed sensor. The 4x4 does have a sensor of some sort on the rear diff, but I don't have a wiring diagram for the '03. The truck is a fill in for a year or so until a new one can be found. I might get lucky and not even have to do the swap, but I want my ducks in a row in case it becomes necessary.

When you guys are talking shimming... what do you mean.

Just looked on the interchange, and the '98 and '03 4x2 use the same driveshaft for the 2x4 so that's a good sign.

 

[sgtsandman]

The shimming is for the universal joint angles. You want them as close to zero as possible. The shims go between the leaf springs and the spring perch to tilt the axle. If you have a two piece drive shaft, shims are needed under the center support, If I’m understanding them correctly. If you have a single piece driveshaft, it might just be for the axle.

They are more the expert than I. So, they may need to clarify more if I’m off on something.

 

[RonD]

No, it won't work

2001 and up Rangers, manual or automatic, 2wd or 4WD, need the OSS sensor on transmission
So any 2000 or earlier trans won't work in a 2003(2001 and up)

Automatics also needed the ISS sensor in 2001 and up

And yes, transmissions are engine specific, manual or auto
And yes, you would need a different rear drive shaft if a 2WD trans was used, 4x4 drive shaft won't work

Whoever said "sell what you got to buy what you need" was correct, that's the best advice

You can use a 2001-2011 Ranger or B-series trans matching engine size and 4WD

 

[bobbywalter]

Yeah...input and output sensors can be a problem...

I would swap the trans program or just use the parts from the 2wd as indicated earlier...though the problem might be...err probably is the drum the reluctor reads .

I know I can make that pile of parts work ...
For someone who is asking.

Rebuilding the right trans or swapping the spares for the right trans is likely the easy way to go.

 

[vigness]

Well it was an idea. Looks like I have to milk it as long as possible. Thanks for keeping me from going down the rabbit hole guys.