What t-case do i need?

[bduke23]

Alright I'm thinking of converting my 85 ranger 2wd with a4ld to 4wd. What transfer case would have come with the truck originally? Oh and it is a reg cab short bed with 3.73's if that helps. And is there a way of identifying the front axle I would need and transfer case off a ranger or B2 in a junk yard, on the door sticker for example? I am also having a hard time of locating pictures of the front axle setup from underneath the truck, if anyone has any of knows of a link it would be greatly appreciated.

Bduke23

 

[adsm08]

Borg Warner 1350.

 

[bduke23]

Is that with our without the external front yoke? And would it be better to get one with electric shift or manual shift?

 

[master hec0]

manual shift. don't go with auto crap especially the auto hubs if your actually going to go 4x4

 

[country0001]

Go w a manual shift, Less headaches. U'd have to wire in the electric one.

 

[RangerSVT]

While your JY shopping, you have a Dana 28 front axle, grab a Dana 35 axle from 91-94 explorer(100% bolt in), including the rear axle from a 95+ explorer, and you want to get a 1354 manual tcase and dshafts for all the best of the best bolt ins...

 

[bduke23]

Yea i was thinking manual. Something else I just thought of, will there be any tunnel clearance issues putting in a transfer case underneath a 2wd cab? Or are they all the same? Reason I ask is i have a friend with a 4x4 D50 with a rusted out cab, and he couldn't swap cabs from his 2wd parts truck

 

[adsm08]

you'll be fine.

 

[88_Eddie]

Yea i was thinking manual. Something else I just thought of, will there be any tunnel clearance issues putting in a transfer case underneath a 2wd cab? Or are they all the same? Reason I ask is i have a friend with a 4x4 D50 with a rusted out cab, and he couldn't swap cabs from his 2wd parts truck

didnt early rangers/b2's come with a dummy t-case on 2wd models?

While your JY shopping, you have a Dana 28 front axle, grab a Dana 35 axle from 91-94 explorer(100% bolt in).

OR i'll sell you my D28 and I'LL go get a D35 - lol

 

[RangerSVT]

Only the B2's came with a dummy case...if you are converting a 2wd truck to 4wd, you will need to change out the engine x-member as well...
SVT

 

[exbass94]

...and you'll need to rebuild your transmission.

 

[adsm08]

Thats right. I forgot about that.

The trans output shafts are different. 2wd shaft is shorter, won't engage to the t-case properly.

Any front axle from a 83-94ish ranger/B2/Explorer should bolt right in. You'll need a rear drive shaft from a truck with the same body configuration and a 4x4 system.

You also need to make sure that the gears in the donor front axle match your current rear end gears. Otherwise it will only work on a sheet of ice, or deep deep mud.

 

[bduke23]

The engine crossmember needs to be changed? What about just swapping transmissions for an auto from a B2? Is there a way to make the t case properly engage with my current transmission? I just put in a good used one a few months ago when the original one went haywire

 

[adsm08]

The 4x4 crossmember sits up higher to allow clearance for the diff. Your current one will contact it and break something the first time the suspension flexes. Swapping a trans from a 4x4 truck will work fine, but the only way to make your current trans work is to tear it apart and put a 4x4 output shaft in it.

I could do it in a day, but I don't recommend it for someone who hasn't been trained in auto-trans service.

 

[bduke23]

Well this is looking a lot harder than I was hoping. Ok new idea. Instead of the conversion, would it be a better idea to just install a locker in the rear end? I do not do any serious off roading, I use the truck just for hunting and daily driving, and I avoid deep mud and such anyway. Would you guys recommend something like the lock right or ez locker? Or would that other one from powertrax be more appropriate? i'm concerned about how the locker locking up when going around corners on pavement, is this a serious issue? But if anyone has any ideas on converting to 4x4 for around $500 on parts that would still be my main preferance