2wd to 4wd conversion. | Ford Explorer Forums - Serious Explorations

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2wd to 4wd conversion.

00whxploder

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Joined
February 9, 2010
Messages
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City, State
Fitzgerald, GA.
Year, Model & Trim Level
2000 xls 4x4 now
Okay so I have a 2000 ex 2wd lookin to make it a 4wd. I want to make it a BW 4406 Manual Shift. What Will I need to do the complete swap? :troops: :salute:
 



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I can't tell you about the front end but here is the long and short of it:

4x4 Tranny
Front Drive shaft
Rear Drive shaft
Transfer case
Front end matching rear gears

It has taken me about $1k to do my 1st gen swap. Don't take this on lightly.
 






Okay so I have a 2000 ex 2wd lookin to make it a 4wd. I want to make it a BW 4406 Manual Shift. What Will I need to do the complete swap? :troops: :salute:

As Mr. Q already mentioned, you need to really think this through.

First, do you have the 5.0 in your truck? If not, you will not be able to use the BW4406 without an adapter (if there even is one).

If you do have the 5.0, and really want to do this, you will need:
a 4R70W transmission from a 4x4 (maybe just swap the tailshaft?)
the BW4406 t/case
front driveshaft from the 4.6 ford F150
the rear driveshaft from an expedition with the 5.4 without air ride
a front differential from a second gen explorer with the same gear ratio as the rear axle of your truck
the CV axles for both sides
2 wheelbearings/hubs
the left and right side 4x4 knuckles
probably ought to buy a new transmission mount now so you will have one when it is needed
4 u-joints
the lower shifter for the T/case (gonna have to buy a new one at ford)
the shifting linkage (from above to the t/case)
The shift rod and knob (been recent reports that ford discontinued the knob)
a weather seal of some type that has to be either made by, or heavily modified by you to keep water from the interior of your truck
a "beauty" boot (rubber boot in the cab)
2 1/2 quarts synthetic diff fluid
might need to/want to replace all the seals on the diff and/or the T/case
2 quarts of Mercon transmission fluid for the t/case
tube RTV
The know-how to do this (really isn't too difficult)
The tools to do it
the space to do it
the patience to do it

That list is by no means all inclusive.

AND while you have the front end apart, you may discover that the inner or outer tierods need to be replaced, or the upper/lower balljoints may also need to be replaced.
 






Okay this is what I've got my transmission model is 5R55E I need a transfer case for it but i need a part number.Also i have found all the other parts I need.
4x4 hubs, front diff, both axles the bezel switch, front drive shaft, and i think the wiring is all there i just need to see a pic of someone transfer case and were the wire actually connects to the main harness please help!

What is the length of the two drives shafts. 4x2 vs 4x4
 






As Mr. Q already mentioned, you need to really think this through.

First, do you have the 5.0 in your truck? If not, you will not be able to use the BW4406 without an adapter (if there even is one).

If you do have the 5.0, and really want to do this, you will need:
a 4R70W transmission from a 4x4 (maybe just swap the tailshaft?)
the BW4406 t/case
front driveshaft from the 4.6 ford F150
the rear driveshaft from an expedition with the 5.4 without air ride
a front differential from a second gen explorer with the same gear ratio as the rear axle of your truck
the CV axles for both sides
2 wheelbearings/hubs
the left and right side 4x4 knuckles
probably ought to buy a new transmission mount now so you will have one when it is needed
4 u-joints
the lower shifter for the T/case (gonna have to buy a new one at ford)
the shifting linkage (from above to the t/case)
The shift rod and knob (been recent reports that ford discontinued the knob)
a weather seal of some type that has to be either made by, or heavily modified by you to keep water from the interior of your truck
a "beauty" boot (rubber boot in the cab)
2 1/2 quarts synthetic diff fluid
might need to/want to replace all the seals on the diff and/or the T/case
2 quarts of Mercon transmission fluid for the t/case
tube RTV
The know-how to do this (really isn't too difficult)
The tools to do it
the space to do it
the patience to do it

That list is by no means all inclusive.

AND while you have the front end apart, you may discover that the inner or outer tierods need to be replaced, or the upper/lower balljoints may also need to be replaced.


After reading more I noticed you have to have a v8 to do the manual shift.
 






The 4x4 is shorter than the 4x2. IIRC the BW 1354 manual will fit the rear of the 5r55e trans?
 






thanks Mr.Q

Is that a manual shift or auto.
 






NVMD got it the BW 1354 is electric and the BW 1350 is manual.

But do you know where the electric connector leads into the main wire harness under the truck?
 






Okay I finally found it the one I need is Warner 4405 still need a pic thou.
 






Okay so I've found everything. Front axle, left and right axles with the half shaft, front and rear drive shaft, the 4x4 hubs and the Transfer case now I need a picture of the wire and then its waiting on the money.
 






did this ever happen?
 












Sorry it took so long but this is complete as of 09/01/2012 it cost me a $1000 to get a truck with working 4wd I picked the truck and stripped it of anything 4wd and then some. After taking everything out and putting my stuff in the back of the donor i got $500 back on scrap weight sold the rims and tires for $160 and that catz for $60 meaning I only paid.


A GRAND Total of:
$280 to convert my truck

Not counting the $8 Brake Fluid and $50 for new trans filter and trans fluid.

Making everything just under $400.



http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=367063

^^^^^
Thread
 






I have a 2wd 1997 ford explorer with a 2inch suspension lift and 3 inch body lift. i am running bfg 33's it does pretty good trail riding only time i spin is when i flex on something. so thinkin about puttin a limited slip and see how big a diffference i can see. if i dont see a big difference i am goin to look in doin a 4wd conversion but know how hard that would be to do on a 1997 explorer.
 






If I were to do this on a 5.0 and just wanted AWD or Selectable High/Low would I only need

4R70W 4x4 Transmission
BW4406 Transfer Case
Front Drive Shaft
Rear Drive Shaft
Front Differential Same Gearing (Second Gen, 3.73 limited Slip)
CV Axles
Wheel Hubs with Bearings
4x4 Knuckles

Would be easy to pull most of those off of one vehicle yeah?
 






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