Wyo Ranger V8 swap questions

[Farmeyer]

Hello everyone. The project I have at hand is swapping the drivetrain from a 96 explorer 5.0 awd into an 86 Ranger 2.9. Now the issue I have here is when using the 4R70W transmission and 4404 awd transfer case from the explorer not only do I not have the lack of selectable 4wd,but im also not too thrilled at the idea of not having the option of 4-Lo. My thoughts were just to go simple on the transmission and use an older C4 and its transfer case rather than deal with all the computer bs or have to deal with finding parts for the 4406 swap. But can a guy convert a 2wd C4 to accept a transfer case and if so what transfer case would work best for this? Im not too concerned with dimensions persay as I am swapping in the explorers 8.8 rear and another explorers dana 35 in the front and will have to have driveshafts built anyway. Look forward to the advice. Thanks!

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Just about any standard Ford fullsize t-case will bolt on the back of your 4R70W. NP-205 and NP-208 are two of the most common ones used for a V8 swap.

Without getting into expensive adaptors the cheapest way to put a t-case on the back of a C4 is to find a dead or dying 82-83 Ranger/BII with a C5 and put its tail end and output shaft on the C4. It would limit you to a measly 3spd and RBV t-cases though (BW1350/BW1354)

Ford didn't make many 4x4 C4s for the old Broncos so parts are not really that plentiful for them.

Personally I hate running 3k rpm going down the road at 60mph with my C4/C5 mutant.

 

[Farmeyer]

Are there any clearance issues with a full size NP-205 or NP-208 that a guy should be worried about when putting it into something as narrow as a Ranger though?

 

[projectnitemare]

The 208 is kind of a tight fit but it can be done. The 205 will fit but you will have to notch the tailhousing on the 4R70 and add a mount from the t-case to the driver frame rail. Either will work. The 208 is lighter with a better low range, the 205 is heavy, a kinda lousy low range but is super strong and can be twin sticked. I can't say there aren't any out there but I have never seen a fullsize 4x4 C4 from the factory. So you would have to use an advanced adapter kit or use the C5 Ranger based tailshaft and housing to use a BW1350 or 1354 t-case, even those tailhousing are getting rare. Be warned, the early bronco C4 (66-77) is not the same. Yes it's a C4 but it has a specific tailshaft, housing and spud shaft not to mention only uses a dana 20 t-case. Unless you have one of the broncos sitting around that is an expensive venture to buy the parts separate. If you have the 4r70, just toss a fullsize case behind it.

 

[dangerranger83]

Here's my np208 fitment in my truck....

Can it be clocked (don't ask me how but you will need a cocking ring to do it) so that it sits in the frame rails better.

I used the mustang motor mounts, they will set your engine lower but you can also uses 1/4 flat steel bolt that to the motor which will rest on 4.0 motor mounts, guys do that all day too and it William Pitt out yup a bit more.

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[adsm08]

guys do that all day too and it William Pitt out yup a bit more.

Did auto-correct get a hold of that?

 

[Rowdy Fitzgerald]

If I remember right some early bronco's came with a c4 and a Dana 20 t-case. The Dana 20 will hold up without a problem.
I'm not sure on the years of eb's that had the combo but it would def be a good set up!
I ran a NP435 with a Dana 20 for a while and never had a issue. The only reason I swapped it out was for a ZF5 speed

 

[dangerranger83]

Did auto-correct get a hold of that?

Yup...more like auto suggestion, how it thinks I do half the words when I don't type the letters in some of them is beyond me.

"Will put you up a bit more" is what I was meaning to say. Glad to see somebody reads my posts.

Sent from my rooted SPH-D710 using Tapatalk 2

 

[projectnitemare]

all early automatic early broncos were a C4/dana 20 set up. Not a bad combo but unless you have one laying around for parts it will likely be hard on the wallet. The 208 has some pros and cons. It's pretty light and the ones from a bronco are fixed yoke; also fits without too much trouble. If you are going to punish the truck and say sticky 37s or bigger there will be a chance of that case splitting in a few pieces. If you can find a 205 cheap I'd go for it. You can twin stick it pretty much for free and that's nicer than you think to have

 

[dangerranger83]

Some f150s has fixed yoke np208s, thinking the extended cabs.

But if I remember right, didn't the Broncos have a different odd bolt pattern for their transfer cases vs the trucks? That's what I was told way back.

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[Rowdy Fitzgerald]

Some f150s has fixed yoke np208s, thinking the extended cabs.

But if I remember right, didn't the Broncos have a different odd bolt pattern for their transfer cases vs the trucks? That's what I was told way back.

Sent from my rooted SPH-D710 using Tapatalk 2

Yeah I believe you're right.

 

[projectnitemare]

some 150s will have a fixed yoke, a bronco is a guranteed fixed yoke. As far as 80's up (except newer superduty) fullsize fords the t-case bolt pattern and spline is the same. Early bronco is a different story; it's totally different.

 

[Rowdy Fitzgerald]

The thing I really liked about the bronco tcase was it's size. It's the size of a ranger tcase!

 

[Farmeyer]

Boy fellas I sure appreciate all the input. Being a young guy I am somewhat new to all the tricks and what not of the game. Ive got a couple Rangers now and a really nice Bronco 2. Always wanted to stick a V8 into one of them but haven't had the chance until now. A few more questions however.

For starters it doesn't sound all that bad putting one of the larger NP-205 or 208 cases in actually. I have a spare C5 laying here and a couple 1350 transfer cases that I was going to hook to a C4 originally, I just don't know if its even possible to hook a non electronic tranny to this newer computerized 5.0 engine. I like the idea of going with a beefier setup anyway. What year and model of vehicles are the best sources one for one of these transfer cases also im unfamiliar with twin sticking one. Benefits and what does that all entail? Thanks again guys

 

[projectnitemare]

If you aren't going to beat the hell out of it and don't need overdrives put that C5 output shaft in a C4 bolt on the extension housing and stick a Ranger t-case behind it. That is the least required modification route. The NP205 and 208 are about the smallest fullsize cases. You can only twin stick gear driven t-cases such as the 205. To do this you remove the shift rails and grind them so you can operate the outputs separeately...see link: http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/general-4x4-discussion/572617-how-np-205-twin-stick-cheap.html As far as running an older non electronic transmission, until mustangs used the AODE/4R70 the computer wont care being none of the transmissions were computer controlled.