2WD to 4WD conversion?

[paulballer]

I was wondering if anybody has ever swapped a 4x4 transmission into a base model 2wd 3rd gen explorer. I have the very base model 2004 4dr explorer xls 2wd and I wanted to put a some year model 4x4 transmission into it and add the supporting parts for a full 4x4 swap. My main question is, do the 4x4 transmission have any problems bolting up to the 2wd engines. I have a 4.0 V6 SOHC stock engine. If anyone has any information about this subject it would be much appreciated. Thank you.

 

[410Fortune]

The sohc engine will accept rwd or 4wd transmission

Does your truck have the provisions for the front differential is the question

 

[CDW6212R]

I believe the 3rd gen transmissions all have the same bolt pattern on the back, meaning there's only one version of the trans, not a 2WD versus 4WD version. I was hunting a better AWD solution 10+ years ago, and saw the odd rear of the 5R models, and any transfer case with that matching bolt pattern will bolt on.

If you are after the 4WD low type of TC, that will also require some changes to the wiring, to run that 4WD system. The AWD TC would not need any of those changes. Below shows the BW 4410 AWD, so the 5R trans you have should match that huge bolt pattern. The 2WD 5R version I think just has a short cover and the drive shaft goes into it.

 

[Fix4Dirt]

The sohc engine will accept rwd or 4wd transmission

Does your truck have the provisions for the front differential is the question

did the provisioning change for the 3rd gen? iirc in 2nd gen its all there, its a matter of picking up the knuckles, diff, cvs and that kind of stuff

 

[410Fortune]

Yea the provisions for a front diff exist in most gen ii trucks 96-01 and sport/trac 02-04
I am not sure if it changed after this

The ranger is a different story not all 98-11 rangers have provisions for the front diff

 

[DaaQ]

I was wondering if anybody has ever swapped a 4x4 transmission into a base model 2wd 3rd gen explorer. I have the very base model 2004 4dr explorer xls 2wd and I wanted to put a some year model 4x4 transmission into it and add the supporting parts for a full 4x4 swap. My main question is, do the 4x4 transmission have any problems bolting up to the 2wd engines. I have a 4.0 V6 SOHC stock engine. If anyone has any information about this subject it would be much appreciated. Thank you.

The bigger question is, did you buy this brand new and have a sort of attachment to it in particular? Or is the body and interior immaculate condition?

Why not look for a 04 XLT or similar, with a V8 in it and use the 2wd as a parts vehicle? You should be able to find a decent used one for the amount of money that will be put into the conversion. If you can find a V8 version in good shape. That would be the way to go.

IMO of course.

 

[paulballer]

The bigger question is, did you buy this brand new and have a sort of attachment to it in particular? Or is the body and interior immaculate condition?

Why not look for a 04 XLT or similar, with a V8 in it and use the 2wd as a parts vehicle? You should be able to find a decent used one for the amount of money that will be put into the conversion. If you can find a V8 version in good shape. That would be the way to go.

IMO of course.

Yeah that would be the smart and more practical move for my wallet. The explorer was bought brand new in 04 and was handed down to me as my first car, so I really wanted too keep it going as long as it can even if that means swapping it to a 4wd.

 

[Fix4Dirt]

sentimental value really means somethingn, i get it! can you check if yours has provision ing for it?

 

[paulballer]

sentimental value really means somethingn, i get it! can you check if yours has provision ing for it?

What would that even look like? I know there is a sort of metal pipe coming across where a axle could maybe go but other than that I don’t really know what to look for.

 

[CDW6212R]

Take a few pictures of the area between the front rotors, from the backside of the spindles, along the frame and cross member. That space is where a front diff/housing would go, where it would mount to the frame. Most likely the trucks all have the mounting holes where a captured nut can go to let a bolt attached there.

When you find out that it can be a 4WD/AWD, then you will have to decide about which transfer case to get, and how to control it.

 

[DaaQ]

Yeah that would be the smart and more practical move for my wallet. The explorer was bought brand new in 04 and was handed down to me as my first car, so I really wanted too keep it going as long as it can even if that means swapping it to a 4wd.

Yep bought mine brand new too, in 03.
I have had several deer collision repairs. One leaving for work early cause it was going to storm, and actually thinking it in my head that it would suck if a tree branch broke while I was driving down the road, because the wind was really picking up. Within minutes of that, a tree split and fell as I was driving, landed across the hood.

Basically bought a whole parts truck with a bad trans for 500 and cut the front end off that and put it on mine. Even transferred the windshield.