please help, 2wd conversion to 4x4

[Robert97Ranger]

i have a 97 2wd ranger with the 2.3 5 speed, i have a 94 ranger i bought cheap with the 4.0 5 speed 4x4, i know the front axle will bolt in, will the transfer case mate to my tranny though? thanks.

 

[4x4junkie]

Hate to break it to ya, but the front axle does not bolt in (crossmember on a 2WD Ranger frame is different, the brackets won't bolt up properly).

As for the trans, you would need to swap the 2WD tailshaft and extension housing for the 4WD parts before the t-case could be bolted on.

Might be easier to just fix the '94 up than try to convert the 2WD to 4WD (unless maybe it's wrecked or something)

 

[Robert97Ranger]

the 94 has no title and has a lean on the title. so im done there. lol
and what if i put the ttb brackets on the 97 2wd?

and the tailshaft will bolt off the 4.0 tranny to my 2.3 tranny?

 

[scotts90ranger]

if the rangers are the same body style, swap frames, it's not really all that hard if you have a few friends around to help lift the cabs.

the engine crossmember is what's different between 4x4 and 4x2 rangers, it's welded and rivited to the frame, not too easy to swap.

personally I'd go the route of swapping the frames and keeping the 4.0L, but you could swap the 2.3 onto the 4x4 frame and swap the tranny parts from one to the other.

 

[Robert97Ranger]

Well the 4.0 is fine, but the trannys trashed. Also its an extended cab and mines a reg.

So could you explain everything I'd have to do to swap the ttb into the 2wd frame? From start to finish.

I have all the tools and everything to do it, and nothing but time. I'm 16 and its my DD, thanks

 

[mp3deviant721]

Take the engines out of both trucks. You will need to swap the engine crossmembers. The transfer the 4x4 drivetrain over. That is as simple as it will get. People have done this before, it's more work than it's worth. I'm not trying to sound like a jerk, but if you ask and look around, most people here will tell you to get a truck that is already 4x4 or just lift the one you are currently driving.

 

[scotts90ranger]

other option, rip the 4x4 tranny apart and swap the parts to the 4x2 tranny then you can mount the transfer case to the rear of the tranny, then find a jeep D30 straight axle and swap that under the front, it's the easiest way to get 4x4 out of a 4x2