Convert my 3.0 L 2wd to 4wd

[justinp21]

Ok heres my situation.

I own a 2008 Ford ranger sport.

Its got the 3.0 L and is only 2wd.

I really want to convert it to 4wd

What would I need to do and what parts exactly would i need?

 

[mjonesjr]

Look up a member by the name of 04EDGE. He did his '04 Edge.

 

[Wicked_Sludge]

arent the 2wd edges about 1000X easier to convert to 4wd than a regular 2wd?

 

[mjonesjr]

arent the 2wd edges about 1000X easier to convert to 4wd than a regular 2wd?

The 2wd Edge and the 2wd Sport have the same frame and torsion bars as the 4wd '98+ Rangers. The standard 2wd Ranger has a completely different frame with coil springs.

That is what makes the 4wd swap easier on the Edges and Sports.

 

[Wicked_Sludge]

ahh. didnt know the sports and edges were similar.

 

[justinp21]

O thats what I like to hear. Well since my sport sits at the same height as the 4wd and I was looking underneath and I have mounts for the front axle stuff like that. My only concern is the fact that mine is only the 3.0L. Most the 4wd's are 4.0 L's

 

[Wicked_Sludge]

the engine doesnt matter. there are plenty of 3.0 4x4s out there (i have one).

back when the SOHC 2.3 was still being made, ford put those in 4x4 trucks all the time and they only made 90hp at one time.

 

[justinp21]

Ok, that sounds more like it. Now i just need to figure out the parts exactly all that Id need to do the convert

 

[04 EDGE]

been there, done that

 

[wvcat]

I have done the swap. Here's what you need:

4wd transmission
transfer case (manual is easier, electric requires you to change the dash harness)
front drive shaft(Older style manual transfer case takes an older style front driveshaft)
rear driveshaft
front axle
both front cv shafts
both spindles(with wheelbearings and ABS if required)
front rotors
Front axle with matching gears to your existing rearend
Rear axle mount on the frame(buy from a junkyard or make)

If you go with the electric transfer case you have to change the dash harness and body computer. The cluster is optional if you want the 4wd lights.
If you go manual transfer case you will need the shifter also.

I went the electric route but I had a complete wrecked parts truck. Of course this only applies if you have a tortion bas frame, not coil springs up front.
I think thats it.

 

[justinp21]

I have done the swap. Here's what you need:

4wd transmission
transfer case (manual is easier, electric requires you to change the dash harness)
front drive shaft(Older style manual transfer case takes an older style front driveshaft)
rear driveshaft
front axle
both front cv shafts
both spindles(with wheelbearings and ABS if required)
front rotors
Front axle with matching gears to your existing rearend
Rear axle mount on the frame(buy from a junkyard or make)

If you go with the electric transfer case you have to change the dash harness and body computer. The cluster is optional if you want the 4wd lights.
If you go manual transfer case you will need the shifter also.

I went the electric route but I had a complete wrecked parts truck. Of course this only applies if you have a tortion bas frame, not coil springs up front.
I think thats it.

Thats helpful, thanks for that list. Now the search will have to go on.

 

[justinp21]

Does anyone know if the transmissions are the same mounting for the 3.0 and 4.0 ??

 

[wvcat]

They are different

 

[justinp21]

So the 4wd transmission from a 4.0L wont fit on a 3.0L?

 

[Wicked_Sludge]

no.