Solid Axle, 2WD to 4WD

[Captain Ledd]

how you gonna run that t case? you could run a divorced set up

I think it's a stock Ranger t-case? It'll just bolt right up to a 4x4 ranger trans which are easy enough to come by.

 

[colordranger27]

doesn't he need the 2.3l 4x4 trans. those are hard to find.

 

[Captain Ledd]

I've been under the impression that the 3.0L bellhousing was the same as the 2.3L (Lima - not Duratech). And those are super easy to find in 4x4. I could be wrong though.

 

[colordranger27]

i see.. does anyone else know if this is true? cause this is the only thing holdn me back from a sas for myself.

 

[c_note]

Alright, I got my high-steer kit in the mail from Summit. It's from TeraFlex. I was really surprised with the quality. The knuckle is huge and thick, with the high-steer arm being more than I expected. It also came with rod ends and a tie rod and drag link.

just curious, how much did you payed for it? i got a good deal on mine.

 

[colinrmitchell]

My kit was $500 including knuckle, four tie rod ends, and the tie rod and drag link. Pricey, but it was really my only option, I guess.

I don't have it 4x4 yet. I bought a house this summer and that really sucked my funds dry. I haven't been looking too hard for a 4x4 transmission, but I've been asking around for the 3.0L. I am hoping I can swap the bellhousing from my 2.3L onto the new transmission, but we will see. I've got a transfer case already that I hodge-podged to be a manual case (i.e., I have to get under the truck and turn a knob). It probably won't get done anytime soon unless we get our $8000 Obama check in the mail.

Considering the height increase, which I estimate to be 10"-12" of lift (remember, it started as a 2WD), will a 4x4 Ranger driveshaft be long enough or should I look for something else? Any other applications from the junkyard that I could consider?

I really want to get the ball rolling and get this project finished, only thing holding me back is about $1000 in parts. So if any one has a spare 4.56 for the D30, or a lunchbox locker or carrier, for cheap, let me know please!

 

[Captain Ledd]

I don't have it 4x4 yet. I haven't been looking too hard for a 4x4 transmission, but I've been asking around for the 3.0L. I am hoping I can swap the bellhousing from my 2.3L onto the new transmission, but we will see.

The M5OD's have integral cast bellhousings. OTOH, otherwise they're exactly the same so just swap em out lol.

Worst case scenario, take it apart and change the output shafts.

 

[c_note]

so the kit has offset TREs? sweet! i just bought my knucle for $200 and build my tie rod and drag link out of 1.375" od .188" wall DOM with heims. those tierod ends would be perfect for me so that the tie rod doesnt hit the diff.

 

[colinrmitchell]

so the kit has offset TREs? sweet! i just bought my knucle for $200 and build my tie rod and drag link out of 1.375" od .188" wall DOM with heims. those tierod ends would be perfect for me so that the tie rod doesnt hit the diff.

Yeah, the kit from Teraflex had offset rod ends to clear the diff cover. I figured for the price of heims and tubing, it was easier just to get the kit. Only thing I had to do was shorten the drag link about 2 inches, but there is plenty of threading inside the drag link for the rod ends even after the cut.

 

[colordranger27]

will the 3.0 4r44e work? or 3.0 a4ld?

 

[colinrmitchell]

colordranger27:

The A4LD is a vacuum-operated trans, and I have been told that it would not be a simple bolt in affair. The 4R44E is what is in my truck now. I would like this to go as smooth as possible, but I doubt that is the case (with my luck, anyways ).

To the general public:

I'm sure that I am beating this into the ground, but if I wanted to go the MT route, what (besides the transmission) would I need to complete the swap? A slave cylinder, pedal and bracketry, computer, etc?

I am having a hard time finding a 4x4 4R44E.

Thanks!

 

[colordranger27]

so the 3.0 4x4 4r44e will work? you could get the sbf bellhousing adapter plate from stinger performance and bolt in a fullsize 4x4 trans. so i've been told.

 

[colinrmitchell]

It looks like I am going to buy an output shaft and an extension housing from a local shop. I will attempt to do the replacement myself. If all else fails, I know a good trans shop that could finish it.

Any one have any tips or tricks about taking apart or rebuilding a 4R44E? It's the first trans I've tried to do, though I do have an ATSG manual and some patience. And I'll be using my math-magic, of course!

 

[colordranger27]

so hows that trans coming along? im tryn to find out how to convert my m5od to 4wd.. any pics of it done?

 

[dangerranger83]

I'm going to be doing the same front end set-up as you are doing colin. I've been looking for pictures of a D30 set-up with leafs. You have answered a few question for me and from the looks of the leaf set up and such, this is going to look great on my truck too. I'm going to be reading this thread more often. Keep up the good work.