my 4x4 conversion ideas........

[fireblade1225]

Hi fellas this is my first post here with my new name(it has been so long since I used the old one I forgot which email it was attached to) Anyhoo, I have just recently bought an 04 Mazda B3000 dual sport(same as Ranger Edge). It has all the 4x4 suspension but no 4x4. Now my idea is, we have 2 wrecked trucks here at work (1) 03 Ranger 4x4, 4.0, 5psd and a 96 Explorer 5.0 V8 AWD(which I will be parting here on the boards shortly). So what I was wondering is I would really like to make my 04 B3000 4x4 but I am not liking the e-transfercase at all, would it be possible to use an old man-tcase 1350 or 1354 in my truck and use the front IFS axles from either the explorer or the ranger we have. I have been doin some research on both here and rps, on thing that has been mentioned is no place for my 04 b3000 VSS to plug into the old man-t-case, is this true? thanks in advance for the help guys............

 

[RangerSVT]

Since you have the 04 model, I believe your VSS is in your rear axle, not your tcase/trans...either way, a 1354 is your best choice of the two. If your VSS is in your tcase, it should fit into the new tcase
SVT

 

[fireblade1225]

I have been doin some more research this aft, so the 1354 comes in both manual and electric. If I go with the 1354 manual and the and 96 explorer front axle I will then have a "live" setup. Will this work ok? I also had read that I can by a kit online that lets me turn my live setup up into a non live, by buying some manual hubs that will fit my 96 explorer axle does this sound right? One more question, I have not seen many manual t-case explorers in the 90-95 years are they that rare?

 

[RangerSVT]

As far as running "live", it will work, it will be just like you driving on the road without unlocking your hubs ( I do this all the time, doesn't hurt anything), your tcase will be in 2WD, but your front axle will be turning your dshaft, not hurting anything, just putting more miles on your front parts. As far as the kit, I do remember of kits converting live to unlockable, but I believe it is year specific, and I am not sure what they are. Doing a search on TRS forums should land you the answer, I know it was covered in another thread, just dont remember...Tcases, explorers are very rare to have manual tcases, but rangers have manual cases much more available, but are a popular case, so u may still have problems finding one, or end up paying some good money for one
SVT

 

[fireblade1225]

Yeah, I figured the live part would work. I mean that is how the 96 AWD Explorer is setup to run, I would however down the road like to get the manual hubs. So what years exactly am I looking for in the Ranger and Explorer for a manual 1354 t-case? I take it those old BII used the 1350 manual?

 

[Jay FX4]

The manual 1354 was most recently available in the Ranger in 02-03.

 

[RangerSVT]

90-95 rangers has the manual
SVT

 

[Jay FX4]

This question is for myself, but may be of a little help to the OP also:

Did ford put the manual 1354 case in anything after 2003?

 

[fireblade1225]

From all the reading I have been doin the last few days, is there not anyone else doin a 4x4 converision with a edge/dual sport. It seems like a easy little project to grab an explorer axle, M5OD output shaft, 1354 manual and a couple of drive shafts(and sometime)...........am I missing something??

 

[Jay FX4]

I know there was someone else on another forum who did a whole write up on this. I'll look around for it....

 

[fireblade1225]

I know there was someone else on another forum who did a whole write up on this. I'll look around for it....

Thanks you the man, seems like a simple little project. It would really go quick if I could find a 1354 manual behind a M5OD it would save me time from switching the M50D output shafts............

 

[RangerSVT]

This question is for myself, but may be of a little help to the OP also:

Did ford put the manual 1354 case in anything after 2003?

2000-2004 Rangers had the manual option, manual 54's were available from 90-95 and from 00-04, 96-99 were auto only...Here is the tech on it
http://www.therangerstation.com/tech_library/TransferCases.html

 

[RangerSVT]

It would really go quick if I could find a 1354 manual behind a M5OD it would save me time...

Contact Taragon, he should have a spare 54 and M5OD he might sell you, if not, I'm sure he can locate you one quick...I have a spare 54, but its electric, not manual
SVT

 

[Jay FX4]

I remember a guy on ORR who did the 4x4 conversion. And I think he did the write up on RF.
But here's the problem.....
ORR is down so I can't find out exactly what his user name is. And I see that to search the forums on RF, you have to be registered.
Without a doubt, guys here have the knowledge to help you. But trying to gather and piece together bits of info from different members to get it done might be tricky.
I'm pretty sure, but not 100% sure, that the write up is on Ranger Forums. You might want to try signing up there, and if you couldn't find the thread through searching, someone would likely have the link.
Sorry if this is no help to you at all. But I do know for a fact that it's been done, and that the info you need is out there somewhere.....

 

[fireblade1225]

So, now I am parts collecting zone. I found and bought a manual 1354 local. My next question(s) is, it does not have a shifter, I see plenty of 1350's around are the shifters taht much different? Would a 1350 shifter work on a 1354 with mods? If not does anyone have a 1354 manual shifter and boot with knob for sale? My next question is, will a single piece rear drive shaft from a 98 Ranger 4x4 work with my 1354 and 04 8.8 and still be the correct length?