transfer case swap

[RRT]

have read on other forums that a mid 80s manual transfer case from a ford explorer will bolt into my 1993 ranger has anyone tried this and what kind of problems did you encounter

 

[stegomon]

Yes it will fit. You can even make one from a 84-89 work with some tweeking

 

[adsm08]

The first problem I see you encountering is that the Explorer was started for the 91 model year, so you will be hard-pressed to find a mid-80s one.

Other than that, yeah. Just make sure to take the shifter lever with it. Explorers used the same t-case as the Rangers up to 2001.

 

[RRT]

thanks guys

 

[redhurricane]

the bolt pattern/output shaft is identical and will bolt up without issue. the output flange style on 1st gen ranger/Bronco II's may be different, but the output flange on the TC is the same. The manual transfer case shifter linkage is slightly different for the FM145/146 and the M5OD. if you cannot find the M5OD linkage you may be making some minor modifications to get the linkage gate/swing to work correctly.

 

[68Mercury250Ranger]

I actually have for sale a M5OD trans, lever shifted T case and all the require conversion parts for sale. was going to use in my sport track but am now planning bigger.

located in SW Ontario.

 

[robotzombies]

Alright guys, I'm piggy backing off an old thread here, but I wanted to try to confirm some transfer case compatibility.

My plan is to swap out the axles, driveshafts, and transfer case from my BII and replace them with the slightly stronger versions from Rangers/Explorers.

My current transfer case is an electric 1350 from my current truck, an 89 BII 4 speed with OD. The transfer case I'd like to swap in is electric and from a 1997 Explorer automatic. From what it seems, the new transfer case should be a bolt on to the BII. Am I correct in thinking this?

Side note, I'm going with the 1354e as a place holder; 1354 manuals are hard to find where I live, and usually expensive if not found in a junkyard. So the 1354e would be there until I can find a manual.

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

Alright guys, I'm piggy backing off an old thread here, but I wanted to try to confirm some transfer case compatibility.

My plan is to swap out the axles, driveshafts, and transfer case from my BII and replace them with the slightly stronger versions from Rangers/Explorers.

My current transfer case is an electric 1350 from my current truck, an 89 BII 4 speed with OD. The transfer case I'd like to swap in is electric and from a 1997 Explorer automatic. From what it seems, the new transfer case should be a bolt on to the BII. Am I correct in thinking this?

Side note, I'm going with the 1354e as a place holder; 1354 manuals are hard to find where I live, and usually expensive if not found in a junkyard. So the 1354e would be there until I can find a manual.

Not sure if the wiring plugs are the same, but a 1354e will bolt up in place of a 1350e. In theory the wiring plugs will be the same so it would be plug and play, but I can neither confirm or deny this.

I'd keep your factory driveshafts unless you need to change length. Disk brake Explorer rear axles are highly desirable, but if I remember correctly you have to change the master cylinder or add a proportioning valve to use it. Drum brake 8.8" rears are stronger than the factory 7.5" in your BII and one out of a Ranger may bolt in. Explorer axles you'll need to weld new spring perches on. Front axle, you'll want a TTB D-35, but watch out for the hybrid D-28/35 axles (D-35 beams and outers, but D-28 guts). You can identify them by the smooth cast aluminum pumpkin. A true D-35 will have a ribbed pumpkin. Also, if your BII has a lift kit that uses a big spacer plate to lower the axle pivot for the passenger side beam, you need to either modify it or change it or you risk punching a hole in the pumpkin of the D-35.

 

[robotzombies]

Not sure if the wiring plugs are the same, but a 1354e will bolt up in place of a 1350e. In theory the wiring plugs will be the same so it would be plug and play, but I can neither confirm or deny this.

I'd keep your factory driveshafts unless you need to change length. Disk brake Explorer rear axles are highly desirable, but if I remember correctly you have to change the master cylinder or add a proportioning valve to use it. Drum brake 8.8" rears are stronger than the factory 7.5" in your BII and one out of a Ranger may bolt in. Explorer axles you'll need to weld new spring perches on. Front axle, you'll want a TTB D-35, but watch out for the hybrid D-28/35 axles (D-35 beams and outers, but D-28 guts). You can identify them by the smooth cast aluminum pumpkin. A true D-35 will have a ribbed pumpkin. Also, if your BII has a lift kit that uses a big spacer plate to lower the axle pivot for the passenger side beam, you need to either modify it or change it or you risk punching a hole in the pumpkin of the D-35.

I've already got all the components, they just all need to go into the truck. Made sure I have the actual D35 instead of the hybrid. I've already resigned myself to the fact that it'll probably be easier and quicker to have a driveshaft shortened than to find one that will bolt up. My current transfer case has a slip yoke in front, and the driveshaft flanges at the axles don't match up between BIIs and Explorers, so that's why I was going to just switch the driveshafts instead of trying to make all of that stuff work. Seemed easier that way. I took the master cylinder from the same truck I took the disc brake 8.8, so there shouldn't be a problem. Seems like there's a debate whether that matters or not, however,

I just really needed to make sure the transfer case would bolt up. Like I said, it's just a place holder; I don't necessarily need 4x4 any time soon, so just as long as it works in 2wd I should be good for a while.

I'll crawl under the truck to see if I can look at the wires and compare the plugs. That was another thing I was worrying about, so I'll check.

 

[scotts90ranger]

1350E and 1354E are nearly identical other than the front output, the 1350 has a slip spline in the T case (as well as a small internal U joint in there...), the 1354 is flange output. As long as you have an M5OD or an A4LD transmission you won't have to screw with the front driveshaft as both setups are the same length, just use the front shaft from the 1354...

I'm running a stock master cylinder in my Ranger with a disc brake 8.8 and the brakes work amazingly... have all sorts of control, way better than anything else I have...

 

[robotzombies]

1350E and 1354E are nearly identical other than the front output, the 1350 has a slip spline in the T case (as well as a small internal U joint in there...), the 1354 is flange output. As long as you have an M5OD or an A4LD transmission you won't have to screw with the front driveshaft as both setups are the same length, just use the front shaft from the 1354...

I'm running a stock master cylinder in my Ranger with a disc brake 8.8 and the brakes work amazingly... have all sorts of control, way better than anything else I have...

FM146 transmission is what I have, but as long as the 1354 t case fits, I'm not too worried about the driveshaft. I can make that work.

 

[97RangerXLT]

Something I found out...my 97 Ranger 1354e transfer case shift motor has a completely different connector than the shift motor off of a 1994 Ranger... the 94 also has a magnetic pickup or sensor that I did not see on the 97. Other than that, mechanically they are identical.

AJ

Sent from my Samsung Galaxy Note 4 while sitting in my underwear

 

[robotzombies]

97RangerXLT is correct, as it turns out. The plugs on the transfer cases are completely different. I ended up pulling the male and female ends from a truck of the same year as my new transfer case, so when I get some sun, I'm going to go out and compare to see if the number and color of wires are the same or not.

One thing I noticed, however, is that the t case switches in the dash for the years are different. The 1989 Bronco II switch only has a 4 high and a 4 low; the 1997 Explorer switch has a 4 high, 4 low, and a 4 auto. Does anyone know if this will matter? As in, if the wires match up and I can switch the plugs, would the Bronco II switch/motor still be able to find the correct t case positions?

 

[97RangerXLT]

My 97 Ranger just has 4 hi and 4 lo. so that might be an Explorer perk/ option...

AJ