and even then AWD isnt full time 4wd, youll only get power to the front when the rear starts slipping.
Not quite. I'm sure that some AWD cases may be set up that way, but not the Explorer ones. I'm calling out the Explorer AWD case as it's the most likely to be found in the Ranger behind an Explorer V8 swap. Anyhow the 4404 always torque splits. Normal operation is something like 35/65 front to rear split. When one axle looses traction it it increases the bias towards the axle with traction.
Contrary to what some sources say the 4404 it is not a torque-on-demand unit, which Ford seems to refer to as Automatic 4WD (A4WD). Those A4WD transfercases are normally 2wd, but automatically engage 4wd when slipping is detected. Those units would require a fair bit more work to install and get the elefctronics wired inand working right.
An 07 should have the “live“ front axle, no hubs. Ford/Mazda got away from the vacuum hubs in 99. Too many problems. You lose a little fuel economy by not having hubs, but the “live” front axle is stronger than a hub setup.
If for whatever reason you actually have the vacuum hubs, you can convert by capping the vacuum lines, swapping to the other CV axle shafts and wheel bearings, and calling it a day.
As others have mentioned, you don’t want to run 4x4 on bare pavement. Even a maintained dirt road is a little hard on the system. 4x4 should only be used in low traction situations or off-roading. AWD “transfer” cases allow you to run on hard surfaces because of a sort of clutch system in the case, but most AWD cases are single speed, no low range, so not good for off-road duty. Also, running AWD, you will want the live axle.
I for one would much rather take the slight economy hit and know that my 4wd (or AWD) is going to work. That is why my 99 that came with PVH and later had manual, was swapped to live axle. First the PVH failed when I was stuck in a sand pit, so those had to go. Then the live axle was happening because I was tired of stupid stuff breaking the manual hubs. Finally I did the AWD V8 swap and needed them for that.
I generally agree you you on running 4wd on bare pavement, but I don't know it is as big of an issue on these SLA trucks. The front axle components were designed with the AWD Explorer in mind, so the risk seems to be more in the transfer case itself. The key seems to be that if you're going to run the 4wd on a hard surface, make sure that there is no missmatch in tire size.
It's not on a V6, but a member over on Explorer Forum has a built (blown stroker IIRC) V8 Explorer Sport that is 4wd. Actually a 4wd transfercase, not using the Explorer AWD unit. He says that he uses it on the street and racing with no problems what so ever. Now he is using the BW 4406 which may be the reason. That transfer case apparently comes in three flavors. Two are the normal manual shift and electric shift 4wd, but the third is Torque-on-Deman or A4WD. This third variant is found in Expedition (and Navigator?) and has three modes; Automatic 4WD, 4WD, and 4WD Low. It's normal mode is A4WD, so it is designed such that it can run 4wd on the streets. I would assume many of the same components would be found in the other two versions of the 4406, so they would probably handle running on hard surfaces as well. This is just my speculation, it's difficult to actually locate information on the various versions of this transfer case. I've been looking because it is a candidate for a few future projects including my V8 Ranger if the 4404 gives out or I want to go back 4wd with it.
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no RBV built after 2001 should have PVH, all after that should have lived axles. That includes the Mazdas. There should be nothing at the hubs to lock in, just the transfer case.
