Question about 4x4 swapping an 88 Ranger

[iant333]

I was gonna start calling around to some salvage yards to try and put together the stuff to convert my 88 Ranger 2.3, 5spd to 4wd.

As far as the transmission, can the tail housing just be swapped off for a 4wd model or does it need a whole new trans? If so I would assume the tailhousing has to be from another M5OD correct?

Are there any quirks as far as a transfer case or would any model from a 1st and 2nd gen Ranger and 1st gen Explorer work? I prefer electric shift, the cab is cramped enough as it is.

As far as the front end also, I see they switched from the Dana 28 to the 35 (same gearset one of my old Jeeps had, but in the rear end), but are they cross compatible? Compatible with the 1st gen Explorer also?

I think my truck has the Ford 7.5 rear end, but I want to upgrade to the 8.8, what models had them and which ones bolt in? I can handle welding on brackets for the springs and shocks, but would rather not if I can avoid it.

As far as driveshafts, are the Explorer fronts compatible?

Last question, is there a chart somewhere that lists the fd ratios for different models and packages? Or is there at least an easy way to tell from a tag or something besides rotating them?

I'm not looking to build anything for the trails, I just want my future DD truck to have 4wd. Not gonna run anything bigger than like 30"s

Thanks for the help, i'm sort of new to Rangers and Ford stuff but I've been working on Jeeps for years.

 

[Shran]

As far as the transmission, can the tail housing just be swapped off for a 4wd model or does it need a whole new trans? If so I would assume the tailhousing has to be from another M5OD correct?

Yes, you will need the tail housing plus the main shaft. Complete trans disassembly. Has to be from another M5OD

Are there any quirks as far as a transfer case or would any model from a 1st and 2nd gen Ranger and 1st gen Explorer work? I prefer electric shift, the cab is cramped enough as it is.

Any of those will work but the driveshaft lengths and end flanges are different

As far as the front end also, I see they switched from the Dana 28 to the 35 (same gearset one of my old Jeeps had, but in the rear end), but are they cross compatible? Compatible with the 1st gen Explorer also?

Bolt in swap from D28 to D35... drive shaft is the main difference... will need steering linkage as well from the D35

I think my truck has the Ford 7.5 rear end, but I want to upgrade to the 8.8, what models had them and which ones bolt in? I can handle welding on brackets for the springs and shocks, but would rather not if I can avoid it.

Explorer 8.8 is the best one, it requires welding, any Explorer up to '01 plus Sport Tracs past that. Ranger 8.8 is more or less bolt in but you don't gain much, not really worth the swap

As far as driveshafts, are the Explorer fronts compatible?

Yes but you need a 1354 transfer case from a 1990 up truck

Last question, is there a chart somewhere that lists the fd ratios for different models and packages? Or is there at least an easy way to tell from a tag or something besides rotating them?

Axle tags have the gear ratio on the second line, will say something like 3L73 88 which decodes to 3.73 gears, L (limited slip) 8.8

Door tag on driver's door will also have an axle code which you can google or look up in the tech library

All of this info and a lot more is available through the tech library or by doing a search... I don't like to be the guy who says do a search, but do a search All your questions have been answered in detail many times.

 

[scotts90ranger]

That said getting a TTB front axle up front isn't going to be easy, the engine crossmember is different between 4x4 and 4x2, and the 4x4 4 cylinder engine mounts that go to that crossmember are specific to 4x4 4 cylinders... I lucked out and found a donor truck that was an '89 4x4 4 cylinder manual trans that was rolled for $350, I was money ahead... swapped frames, kept my engine then a few years later started modding things...

A manual transfer case isn't that much in the way of anything, it's just to the side of the shifter and sits low, I thought I had a picture but the T case shifter doesn't show... The second gen dash is a bit more compact than the first gen so I know where you're coming from though... The T case shifter is more in the way on my V8 explorer than it is in my Ranger though...

 

[iant333]

Thanks for the help, I have just found the article section, there doesn't seem to be an article on 4x4 swaps but the rest answered most of my questions.

 

[scotts90ranger]

There isn't an article about a 4x4 swap because although doable it's not easy... the engine crossmember is welded and riveted to the frame and the 4x4 frames are boxed on the passenger side where the 4x2's aren't (not a deal breaker...). It's been done, and if you do the right search you can probably find a few posts about it. If I had more time (I think I have negative spare time right now?) I would look for you as I was contemplating this back in the day, glad I didn't since I was in over my head a lot back then... I'd probably tackle that now though, heck my '00 Explorer has torsion bars and I plan on swapping in a TTB D44/D50 hybrid with coil overs hopefully soon...

 

[iant333]

Im also considering just making my own crossmember, or just swapping in a D30. Mild fab work like this doesnt scare me but its a nightmare for me finding rare parts around here.

 

[bobbywalter]

D 30 is the easy button. And my first choice in this scenario