Explorer / mountaineer AWD transfer case?

[PetroleumJunkie412]

Talked to @lil_Blue_Ford last night about a transfer case available on the 5.0 mountaineers/explorers. Did some reading, and now I'm just confused.

Apparently there were two different awd transfer cases available in Explorer in the 90s and early 2000s. One is full time, and the other is apparently part time. Idk.

Interested in them for the 2011, and if they will bolt to the M5OD (whatever revision is in the 2011 4.0 trucks) without machine or fab work.

I've read that the BW 4404(?) was one available, and there seems to be a second one that I cannot find the model number for.

Anyone know anything about them? Reliability? Drivability?

Keeping in mind that my 2011 is not being built as a off road truck, just a commuter and runner. I'm interested in it because it supposedly splits power 35/65 at all times. To me, seems worth doing to a truck that's going to continue to live its life on mostly wet pavement.

 

[scotts90ranger]

The one on the V8 Explorers isn't a candidate unless you are running a 4R70W transmission in something as they are set up for a full size transmission with the standard 6 bolt mounting and I think 31 spline input. It's a cute little guy and weighs like 25lbs, viscous coupling front output and full time rear drive, I have 3 of them on my property, don't remember what model they are...

You want whatever they put in the V6 models, but I don't know what that is

 

[PetroleumJunkie412]

Solid tip! And thank you!

 

[PetroleumJunkie412]

Explorer AWD T-cases?

I've got a couple of ideas involving Ford drive trains and AWD bouncing around in my head, and realized I know little about the AWD transfer cases. Did the 4.0l Explorers ever come with AWD? What was the model? Would that t-case require a control module to work? If they exist, I'm wandering if...

www.therangerstation.com

Found this with some familiar faces

 

[Ranger850]

Been doing some research in these things myself. I have a v8 version but havent figured out which one yet.

 

[kunar]

The 4404 is the full time viscous unit that was used behind the 5.0's. They're the full size bolt pattern like scott said above. The 4405 is the part time unit that was used behind 4.0's, theyre the one that stand a chance of bolting up to your trans. Not sure how they are controlled though, i believe its some sort of an electric clutch. Probably not out of the question, but would be more work for sure. As far as i know, when the 4405 is locked, it's 50/50 split. Ford has a habit of labeling automatic 4wd systems as awd

 

[Snoranger]

The 44-05 is very similar to the 13-50/13-54. Some of the internal are even interchangeable. The automatic 4wd is controlled by an electromagnet when power is sent to the brown wire.

 

[Blmpkn]

Personally, I wouldn't bother with a full time awd setup unless it was some sort of wheeling/racing rig.

Having driven Subaru's for years the downsides of full time awd are a real bummer. Decreased economy, increased tire wear, and the inability to replace just two tires sucks.

The donuts you can do in the winter are good though, damn good.

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

I think I have a 4405 in my parts pile. Haven't done any research yet, it was bought on a whim for $50 for my race truck. Was thinking pwm for control via raspi using steering angle as input.

 

[adsm08]

I wouldn't bother with it.

Like @Blmpkn said, it's a pain. The tires have to match to within a few 32nds of an inch in total diameter. The viscous couplers are wear items that will make the vehicle undriveable when they fail, and cost nearly $1000.

 

[turbo91xlt]

Easiest awd t-case swap will be a Dana 28 awd unit from a '90s Aerostar van. You will need a custom front & rear driveshaft due to they use slip yokes, not fixed yokes.

 

[Gdbeast]

Hi I'm new to the forum and stumbled across this thread. I have an additional question to add. If I have a 4404 tcase, would it be possible to mount it to the M5OD-R2 transmission from an f150? TIA!!

 

[scotts90ranger]

Likely but you would have to do some playing with the drivelines. My '00 V8 explorer I put a 44-06 out of a '97-03 F150 with two expedition drivelines (front from a 4.6L, rear from a 5.4L if memory serves) and I had to get a conversion joint for the front diff end of the front driveshaft. The stock Explorer front output uses a CV joint for the slip and the rear uses a flange where the 44-06 uses a slip spline...