Was there ever a 2.3 duratec ranger released in the U.S with the 4 wheel drive setup?

M5ODr1 tranny

 

No, the last 4cyl Rangers with 4WD were 1997 model year, but they were scarce from 1993-1997, custom ordered, this is 2nd generation when Rangers got a bit heavier

1998-2011 Generation 3, didn't officially have any option package for 4WD with 4cyl engine
I have heard of some 2.5ls, 1998-2001, with 4WD but never seen one
But for sure no 2.3l Duratec, 2001-2011, with 4WD

The 2019 Ranger is a 4cyl(2.3l Ecoboost) and has 4WD as an option, and this engine uses same bolt pattern engine as the 2.3l Duratec, but it only comes with a 10-speed automatic transmission, which older computer couldn't operate
I doubt there will ever be a manual trans version again because they lose all the stability and traction controls with driver input of gear selection, lol

Manual transmission are pretty much dinosaurs for car/truck makers, extinct, even semi-trucks are automatics now-a-days, just stronger transmissions, I regret the demise but it is what it is

 

My 2.5 Lima 2000 has 4wd but the 4LO is out and I need the low gears for what I do and don't have space for another truck, do you the 10R80 transfer case could bolt to the M5ODr1?

 

You have a rare bird there :)

Any BW1354 will work for a replacement, borg-warner 1354 transfer case

From any year ranger or mazda B, any engine size, and from a manual or automatic transmission, the BW1354 electric shift was used in Rangers from 1990-2011
Manual shift BW1354 was an option until 1997, then a special feature in the FX4 Level II's for 2 or 3 years

So just replace the transfer case, lots of them out there, there were changes in the front axle attachment, you should be OK with 1998 and up BW1354
But you can use any year and just get another front axle for that type of attachment

The BW1354 was never a "known issue" with Rangers, but any moving part can break, so a used one is not a big gamble

Electric shift motor was the same from 1990-2011, wiring connector was only change, so your shift motor will work on another BW1354 transfer case

Transfer case details here: https://therangerstation.com/tech_li...er_cases.shtml

You have a 2000 Ranger so speed sensor is not an issue for you, 1998-2000 Rangers used Rear ABS sensor for speed signal

 

Thank you for the info on that, how much time and effort would it take to put 4x4 to my duratec ranger? Where I am people don't just sell 4x4 trucks, they sell for a very pretty penny

 

You can't

Well more precisely the cost would be prohibitive, but you can do anything, lol

There are two approaches to this
4WD vehicles are built from the frame out, its not an "option" added during assembly, 4WD and 2WD have different frames
You can add 4WD to a 2WD frame, just alot of measuring, welding and measuring again, since front wheels need to be EXACTLY lined up with rear wheels
And you still need get/buy the 4WD running gear up front, and SAS, solid axle swap, might be the way to go for this since you have coil springs up front

Or start with a 4WD frame and running gear, look for a deal outside your area, blown engine, trans, rolled, ect......., and have it shipped to your location, shipping vehicles is not all that expensive if your time frame is not urgent
Look at craigslist in Florida(cheap cars) or northeast(rust belt), or ??, its free to browse, lol

You will need to convert your current M5R1 manual trans from a 2WD to a 4WD tail shaft and housing, not too hard to do but you need the 4WD tail shaft and housing from another M5R1, from a 3.0l 4WD Ranger
And you will lose the speed sensor, but on 4WDs, 2001 and up, the speed sensor is on the BW1354 transfer case, so you need a 2001 and up BW1354 with OSS speed sensor
And the rear drive line from 3.0l 4WD regular cab or extended cab which ever you have
I think the 4.0l Ranger trans(tail shaft) will work as well but not 100%, I know the 3.0l M5R1 tail shaft will work


The 4cyl Rangers have that cross brace in the engine bay, for driver's side motor mount, since you have a 2.5l 4WD you can check clearances and then check that on the 2.3l Duratec, brace and oil pan clearance

In either case you have to do the M5R1 2WD to 4WD transmission tail shaft change and get a 2001 or later BW1354

So I guess it comes down to adding 4WD front end to a current 2WD 2.3l Duratec, or swapping over 2.3l duratec to current 4WD Ranger frame and body

The electrics for 4WD is self contained so not a big deal to add, the FX4 Level II manual transfer cases would be the only ones that would have the correct speed sensor, and they might be expensive and hard to find

 

Thank you for the info, I'm SOL with that then, the avg asking price for a 4x4 ranger is about 6500 with roughly 200k miles, will the 2.3 duratec work in the 2.5 Lima place? They both are mirrors of each other just different internals and the front grill, personally I like the 2002 grill a lot better then the twin bars and single bar

 

The year of the 2.3l duratec Ranger will matter, only the 2003 2.3l duratec would be optimal for swap, no IMRC or heated thermostat, 2001/2, and in 2004 Rangers got HEC instrument cluster, so computer won't work unless it has the instrument cluster it came with from the factory, and the 2000 cab wiring won't support that dash, so ALOT more work, if it can be done at all because there is also the swap over to SJB from GEM in 2004, gets way more complicated, then, lol

Yes, you would need the 2003 2.3l engine/M5R1 trans, computer and wiring harness, and PATS keys for it, you can just get a transceiver(loop around key slot) and plug it into harness then tape PATS key inside it, so you can use existing non-PATS keys in ignition

You would need to do the 2WD to 4WD trans conversion using the 2.5ls M5R1 tail shaft and housing installed on the M5R1 from 2.3l

The 2.3ls computer might need a different speed signal, but for manual trans computers I am not sure that's needed, it may turn on CEL but would still drive OK until a solution was found

Different motor mounts, exhaust size would be OK but different connection to engine
Radiator would be OK, I think hoses are on the same sides, but not sure

Fuel pressure is the same but most likely a different connector on engine end of hose

EDIT: OOPS
looks like the 2001-2003 2.3l all had the IMRC and heated thermostat, so any of those years will work and you just have to live with those devices, which is not awful, just one more thing that can go bad, well 2 more things, lol.

 

Ok, well im gonna start looking around out of town for something, maybe later on when I drop the 351W or a Chevy 350 I'll do the 4x4 mods

 

Kinda negates the 4cyl MPG factor, lol


You can add a transfer case to a 2WD to get low range, front drive shaft and axle is not "required"

And there are also options for installing lockers on Ranger rear axles, electrically activated so better traction when needed, one step above limited slip

The front wheel drive is for sure an asset, but some weight in the bed with locked rear wheels can over come most traction issues

 

I added the fswerks 6.8 something turbo kit, and put xcal3 and tuned slightly this duratec is kinda a toy

 

Does read as an economy engine, lol, but better than V8

 

The Lima is my workhorse, my duratec is my weekend toy, 288hp 5250 rpm and 247 lb feet at 3100