ok i dont have the money for this yet but im planning for the future and im curious. i want to do a sas with a yj style wrangler front axle. my question is what is the easiest way to convert my 2wd to a 4wd (note that the yj axle is driver side drop) what i want to do is use a ranger trans and tcase but is the ranger tcase driver side drop, and is it hard to just take the 4wd switch from a 98-00 4x4 or do i have to wire s***. if that will be to much then how will i be able to put a manual shift linkage in. i have a 98 xlt 2wd automatic

 

how about a manual transfer case?

 

I have a tcase for sale from a 4.0 dunno if they will work on a 3.0 but if so..im up in South Carolina Im sure we can figure something out..

 

yea i was thinking about a manual tcase but how easy are they to come by

high roller i dont know if they work but i dont really have money right now.i just want to make sure i know what im gonna have to do before i start buying stuff

 

I looked into this not long ago and it aint cheap, even on a salvage yard budget. I was told that basicly I would need to find the same year of truck and engine that had 4WD and go from there. Basicly I was told to get another truck. You'll need a manual T case, front axles with manual locking hubs and the driveshafts from 4X4. Plus there's alot of other stuff needed to be done too. The guy I talked to said that the manual T case aint too bad in finding them but I'd have to be picky. He also said something about having the ECU reflashed or something to that effect (I don't know why myself). After that I walked way from him because he said something really, really stupid and it's obvious that it was pure and utter B.S. that isn't worth stating on here at all. And we will leave it at that.

 

has anyone on this site ever done this with my model ranger? i know it can be done and i like a challenge that's why i don't want to just buy a 4x4.

 

try searching. It may be listed in here somewhere as a sticky thread. That's all I can really tell you.

 

the jeep axle is drives side droop just like the ford tcase. to swap in an electric tcase will take tons of wireing that you dont want to do. you will also need a 4wd tranny or swap out the tail housings and shaft. a manual tcase will bolt right up to a 4wd tranny. its really easy but you need a 4wd tranny

 

I'd go this route myself. Wiring on a car or truck today is a migrane headache to say the least. just one wrong wire connection and the damn thing won't start. Then you can spend days trying to either find the bad connection, or rewire it completely. i wonder if I can get an AWD transfer case with a limited slip diff in the front axles, and install a limited slip in the rear? I'm pretty sure that I can get a limited slip diff but not sure about the T Case.

 

i never thought of that i wouldnt mind in awd tcase that wouldnt be that bad its not like i do crazy stuff i just want to do some mudding. but do they make one for are truck or that we can use for our truck is the big question

 

the explorer tcase is an auto tcase but that is again electrical ****. just get a manual 1354 and 4wd trans and go from there its the easiest thing to do.

 

sweet that is exactly the answer i was looking for wha trangers came with those

 

Joe,

The easiest and most cost effective way to convert a 2wd to 4wd is to buy a 4wd. What engine do you have in your truck?

 

^^ maybe he wants to sas and stuff let him do it how he wants too.

 

He said he plans to SAS. I didn't say he couldn't, but unless his current vehicle is worth less than market value he is better off selling it and buying a 4x4 with a 4.0 He will have the transfercase, transmission, and an 8.8 rear end.

The simple fact of the matter is that unless a person is mechanically skilled and able to get parts very cheap converting a 2wd to a 4wd is never going to be cheaper than selling the 2wd truck and buying a comparable 4wd.

 

yep. If he's got enough skill it can be done yes, but the amount of money involved in something like this is a real project killer.

Yep. As I stated earlier wiring on todays vehicles is indeed alot of work and cussing involved. Mostly working though for me. This is where wiring diagrams become your best friend and your worst enemy if you don't get the right one. Basicly he'd be better off buying a 4x4 because I don't think he has enough funding to do this.

I looked for one but no luck at all. About the only way to get an AWD tranny would require a very expensive engine swap. either an 08 or 07 Dodge Charger with the semi hemi and this was an optional feature and you'll basicly need the whole damn car.

Well he gave you some good info concerning this project.

 

really i just wanted to know how to do this because just buying a 4x4 is BORING
but because i dont have alot of money i will probably end up buying a 4x4 anyway

actually i found a exploder axle with 4.10s and limited slip and disk brakes at the junk yard for $100 bucks so ill be picking that up as soon as i get the extra dough

 

find the case first, it takes a while.. but they are out there. any 1354 manual will work for ya but the real issue is the trans. depending on the year and condition it might be more affordable and practical to pick up a 4x4 5r44e/55e trans and swap it for your 2wd, then bolt up the t case to that. bolt it in the truck and find a shorter 4x4 driveshaft, the shifter and stick it through the floor pan. then you can drive again and think about the suspension

 

see that's all i wanted to know thank you ranger dan

 

read my thread i startedk im doing basically the same thing you want to do