97 2.3l conversion from 2wd to 4wd

[97xlt12]

Im thinking about converting my 97 ranger extended cab from 2 to 4 wheel drive. i wanna stick with the original 2.3l five speed but was wondering what would be the best front end components to use and what tranny and or tranfercase i would need 2 do this swap.

 

[Mikel89us]

The transmission, and driveshafts from a late 80s ranger will work. You may need to relocate the trans crossmember, or swap it. If you're doing a conversion like this, I say get the mounts and do a Jeep Dana 30 axle... But if you plan on offroading, the Dana 35 ranger ttb axle will work too. Just a daily driver a Dana 28 front end will do the job

 

[Haywire6000]

This has been gone over before, your best bet would be buying another truck that is a 4x4. Basically this project would need another truck for parts anyway. Transmission, cross member, transfer case, drive shafts, Matching rear/front end. Also the 2.3l 4x4 would be a dog with anything under 4.10s even with stock tires.

 

[KnockKnock]

I know it isn't popular, but I like the idea. My picture-perfect Ranger would be a SuperCab 4x4 with a 4-cyl./5-speed, but sadly Ford opted not to make one; I'm sure, because as stated above, it would be a bit of a "dog" ...even though gm & toyota have theirs.

I agree that you would undoubtedly need a parts-truck... My guess would be that it would still likely be easier to put the 4-cyl. in the 4x4 parts-truck than swapping over the entire front-end from a 4x4.

 

[Mikel89us]

The only difference in oil pans is the drain plug location.any 2.3 oil pan except the pinto/mustang 2 front sump pan.

As for your idea with the extended cab 4cyl 4x4, I am trying to talk my dad into putting one on his 83, and custum making an extra shortbed.

 

[RangerSVT]

I bought a 94 ranger x cab, 2wd 3.0 auto with a wrecked front clip. Going to make it 4x4. You will need to change the engine crossmember as 2wd and 4wd x members are different. For what needs to be done, swapping the frame is less work, which is what I'm doing. My swap needs a new frame regardless as the original frame is bent too bad. In my area 2wd frames are the same price as a 4wd frame, so thats my justification.
Swapping in a ttb axle will require an engine crossmember swap, or frame swap. Either wsy you need yo pull the engine and unbolt the cab from the frame as the framerails need to be widened to get the old x member out and the new one in. If you SAS, then your 2wd frame can be used, and is actually easier than SASing a 4wd frame...

SVT

 

[KnockKnock]

The only difference in oil pans is the drain plug location.any 2.3 oil pan except the pinto/mustang 2 front sump pan.

As for your idea with the extended cab 4cyl 4x4, I am trying to talk my dad into putting one on his 83, and custum making an extra shortbed.

Thanks for clarifying that - I wasn't 100% sure.

 

[Mikel89us]

No problem! Let us know the route to take, if you're willing to spend some money, there's a company that makes a 2 arm setup for the jeep axle, its meant for high lift jeeps, but it has been adapted into a ranger before, someone on here has done it. I have some pictures of my jeep axle swap and can provide some info as needed, from what I did.

 

[cammeddrz]

if your transmission is an M5od (which I bet it is), you just need to get the tail shaft from a 4wd M5OD and swap it in, and then you can bolt a t-case to it. a buddy of mine (DOPIESLC) is doing this right now

 

[RangerSVT]

if your transmission is an M5od (which I bet it is), you just need to get the tail shaft from a 4wd M5OD and swap it in, and then you can bolt a t-case to it. a buddy of mine (DOPIESLC) is doing this right now

4wd output shaft and the tcase adapter...

SVT

 

[cammeddrz]

4wd output shaft and the tcase adapter...

SVT

^^obviously the t-case adapter with the t-case