I think I caught the fever...

[tinman_72]

Mountaineer fever that is. I bought a ragged out '99 2WD back in December for the drivetrain. I planned to drive it on weekends for a while to make sure it was up to snuff. New shocks, front sway bar end links, door latch bushings, and a driver's door panel later, I like it better than my loaded 2011 Escape. The Mercury has become my primary vehicle for the last six months. But it still has crappy paint, all the rubber is dried up and brittle and the sunroof leaks.
So I picked up a '98 AWD today. The interior is nearly pristine, paint is all good except two spots of cancer. (It apparently came from NJ.) Everything works except the rear window wiper. Only 141K miles. The original window sticker is in the glove box. It is loaded, towing package, all the creature comforts in the center console in working condition.
I thinks someone on here told me before that the transfer case can be replaced with 4WD that can be switched on and off, but it requires cutting a hole in the center console for the shift lever. Does anyone have pics of where it would come out? I wonder if there is a way to hook up a cable where the lever goes so that it could be controlled kind of like an old choke knob. Sure would be nice to be able to go 2WD while on paved roads.

 

[North Idaho 5.oh]

If yours is 2wd you’re gonna have to get another 4r70w that’s 4wd .... I personally used the
44-06/M a 2000 f1-50 in my 98 ranger (same idea) and I didn’t have to cut any holes in my console. You do however have to cut a hole in the floor For the shifter for the manual case.... as far as the electric case, I’m not sure.

 

[tinman_72]

I am driving an AWD now. The first one was 2WD.
So where in the floor does it come up?

 

[North Idaho 5.oh]

Just to the left of the console... you may have to bend the shifter cane a little bit away from the console, but it’s not that bad