Granny low diff or gearbox?

[Chapap]

‘94, 2.3, 5MT
Is there such a thing as switchable granny low transfer case or rear diff type setup? I want to be able to shift from stock to granny low for pulling too large boats out of boat ramps and such without burning the clutch.

 

[Blmpkn]

Relatively sure you'd have to find a 4x4 2.3 transmission/tcase/driveshaft and put them in your truck.

 

[Curious Hound]

If you had 4x4, you could shift the transfer case to low range.

or, you can put different gears in the differential. But that is not something you can shift. It is just always whatever ratio you i stall.

or, install an automatic transmission and let the torque converter do the work.

 

[fastpakr]

Assuming you're 2wd now, switching over to a 4x4 transmission and transfer case with a matching rear driveshaft seems like the obvious solution.

 

[Chapap]

Is the transmission different or can I just bolt up a transfer case with hangers, and driveshaft?

 

[fastpakr]

It's different.

 

[Dirtman]

I don't care how much gearing you have you need traction too.

 

[sgtsandman]

Swapping transmissions will also require modifying the wire harness. Maybe the computer.

Most Ranger transmissions are engine specific also. A 5-Speed from a 2.3 won’t bolt up to a 3.0 because the bell housing is part of the transmission casing.

 

[fastpakr]

Swapping transmissions will also require modifying the wire harness. Maybe the computer.

Most Ranger transmissions are engine specific also. A 5-Speed from a 2.3 won’t bolt up to a 3.0 because the bell housing is part of the transmission casing.

I'm not following re the wiring harness/computer? Assuming you got a matching pattern Mazda transmission in a 4wd configuration, the wiring should be identical. What am I missing?

The transfer case shifting is probably the hardest part IMO. Easiest if you could get one with a shift lever, otherwise you've got to install the shift motor wiring and controls.

 

[Dirtman]

I'm not following re the wiring harness/computer? Assuming you got a matching pattern Mazda transmission in a 4wd configuration, the wiring should be identical. What am I missing?

The transfer case shifting is probably the hardest part IMO. Easiest if you could get one with a shift lever, otherwise you've got to install the shift motor wiring and controls.

I believe he is referring to switching to an automatic. Automatic transmission needs all the wiring that goes with it for the solenoids and neutral safety.

 

[fastpakr]

Ah - yeah if we're talking about switching to an auto that's an entirely different can of worms.

 

[Chapap]

Well that’s just too much for me. I know the early 90s f150 4x4 upgrade is just a matter of adding the transfer case and related. I’m not giving up my brand new 2wd tranny just for a granny gear that I’d rarely use. Would have been nice tho.

 

[Dirtman]

I use to work at a marina, I moved boats all the time with my ranger. Even with my engine having a few extra ponies, 4.10 gears, and an automatic I'd often break the wheels loose on the slick ramps. I'd have to hop in a different truck with more weight and wider tires to move the bigger boats. No amount of power or gearing was gonna get my ranger to pull those boats when I had no traction...

We had a little tug for moving bigger boats around the yard, it was powered by a tiny Nissan 4 cylinder with maybe 75hp, but it had crazy gearing though and only did about 5mph. It could pull ANYTHING... until you put it on a slick boat ramp and the solid tires would just go Wzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.

 

[sgtsandman]

I'm not following re the wiring harness/computer? Assuming you got a matching pattern Mazda transmission in a 4wd configuration, the wiring should be identical. What am I missing?

The transfer case shifting is probably the hardest part IMO. Easiest if you could get one with a shift lever, otherwise you've got to install the shift motor wiring and controls.

There was a short circuit in the thought process while making my reply. I was interrupted by work wanting me to do what I am being paid for and it broke my train of thought.

I was thinking both about manual transmissions for one thing and automatics for another.

 

[sgtsandman]

I think the consensus is leaning toward getting a vehicle that matches the task at hand instead of forcing what you have, and isn’t working, to work