95 vs. 97 front axle

[JoshC]

Alright, this might be a no brainer for you all, but i have been talking with Gabe (buchvilleman) about the manual transfer case conversion that he did on his 95. We got to talking about the front axles and how they engage with the transfer case since they do not have hubs. He sent me a picture of his front axle and showed me the where the line and vacuum tubes hook up and i knew mine didn't have that. So i told him that and he wanted me to send him a couple of pictures of my front axle. Well i guess what we are trying to figure out is what is going on with the different axles? We kinda figured that it was due to the auto that the 97s have. Anybody else shead some light on the subject for us, thanks.

Happy trails!!

 

[Robert]

You are correct. The vacuum disconnect on the '95/'96 Explorers completely disconnects the front differential from the front driveshaft which puts it in true 2WD mode. In '97 Ford did away with that thereby eliminating the 2WD mode. Once Ford determined that the Control Trac could be left in Auto mode at all times, they did away with the 2WD mode and added a true locking 4x4 High mode instead. Since all of the driving modes available on the '97-'00 Explorers require the front differential to constantly be engaged, there is no option to disengage it, therefore no vacuum disconnect.

 

[Jason_25]

Josh, you will be ok if you decide to convert to the manual transfer case style, if that's what you wanted to know. It shouldn't hurt anything. Good luck!

 

[JoshC]

Thanks Robert, just making sure that we were on the right track.

Jason, yeah I knew i could. Gabe and i just weren't sure if i would have to do what he did buy wiring his shift motor to the frame to engage the front wheels. Now i know that i will not have to. It should be a pretty easy transfer if i can just talk my fiancee into it!!

What will i do about the 4x4 lights on the dash, most manual tcases in trucks still have the lights on the dash. Gabe said there were no electronics on his.

Happy trails!!

 

[Jason_25]

There's gotta be a way to rig something up. What about the 91-94 explorers with manuals? Did they have lights?

 

[BUCHVILLEMAN]

my case came from an explorer (actually the guy who sold it said that the orginal expedition models were going to have man cases)
but i didnt have any wiring so im not sure if it had a light on the dash or not. it seems that it woudlnt have been a big deal to have this...
let me ask a guy who has a stock man case in his ex. i know there are others but the only one i know personally is Rocky Laurence.

the only thing that i am concerned about is - of the front end is active as in the gears and the shafts are always engaed and turning then wouldnt this turn the front drive shaft even when not in 4x4? and also i dont think that you woul have the 2low option then? BUT if that is not a concern then it shouldnt be a problem.

what do you guys think?

 

[Jason_25]

Yep, no 2-low for 97+, and yeah it would turn the driveshaft when not in 4x4, but all 97+ drivehshafts turn in 2WD mode anyway.

 

[BUCHVILLEMAN]

but all 97+ drivehshafts turn in 2WD mode anyway.

good point. this is helping me with another issue. i am really really getting close to considering makingmyself the guini pig for something. i want to get the ezlocker fro dana 35 ifs front end. as long as is 31 spline and will fit in my carrier then it would work. since i can disengage the front end i would have one wheel spinning the carrier and subsequently the driveshaft which if im hearing you correctly the 97+ do anyway.

Dead Link Removed

after studying for the install of my spool (which will go in the rear tommorro. i think that this would work. its a "lunchbox" locker that fits in the carrier and eliminate teh spider gears. i dont know ill have to do some more thinking and research. but if it doesnt work then i could resell it to someone that could use it.

sorry im being a thread hog. what do you guys think?

 

[Jason_25]

Might be possible, but the carrier design is different than the standard D35 that the jeeps use as a rearend. Both GJarrett and Ray Lobato tried to install a regular D35 locker in their frontend and it didn't work. However, Powertrax makes a "lunchbox" locker for our front ends.

 

[BUCHVILLEMAN]

the link i posted up there was for D35 IFS front end. who uses d35 IFS front end? could that be a reference to a early model explorer?
thats my point - i believe that a lunchbox design could work. looking at my spool it seems that the only issue would really be the spline on the axle shaft. (im not saying useing a spool on front end im saying that the spool and the lunchbox lockers are same basic instal.) i guess one way would be to get a used open carrier and install it in ther carrier. if it works there then it would be a simple install into pumpkin.

im goign to price scrap yard open carrier.

 

[Jason_25]

Gabe, yes the D35 IFS front end is what is in the 91-94 explorers. THe 95-2001 have a standard rotation D35. If you need any info on the 95-2001 frontend, I have a spare one sitting in my garage.

 

[BUCHVILLEMAN]

is the early model a reverse rotation?

you got plans for that front end? you thinking of trying the same thing?

 

[Jefe]

Originally posted by Jason_25
Might be possible, but the carrier design is different than the standard D35 that the jeeps use as a rearend. Both GJarrett and Ray Lobato tried to install a regular D35 locker in their frontend and it didn't work. However, Powertrax makes a "lunchbox" locker for our front ends.

Actually if you ask Wade (Go Off Road) when he ordered his powertrax for the front, they sent him the Jeep version. Instead of sending him another locker, they only sent him a new cross-pin. So it sounds like the only thing that is different is the cross-pin.

 

[BUCHVILLEMAN]

jefe,
you are referring to an early model?

 

[Jason_25]

Originally posted by BUCHVILLEMAN
jefe,
you are referring to an early model?

Naw, wade has a 2002 ranger. Then I wonder why Gerald and Ray had so much trouble?

I have plans on regearing this front end, not sure about a locker though.

 

[BUCHVILLEMAN]

im thinking that since i can disengage the front end that i could lock it if it would fit.

does anyone know the difference between the 02 ranger and 95 ex? if the carrier is the same then powertrax would work in mine....

 

[Jason_25]

Gabe, the powertrax will fit in the front of your truck. But, it's not necessary to use the vacuum on the front end because the powertrax unlocks automatically around turns. I have one in my rear end and it does as advertised.

 

[BUCHVILLEMAN]

im thinking of when driving on street. thats why the vacuum engaging front end will be benificial to me.

 

[JoshC]

Well, sounds like we have it all under control. Gabe, let us know how the spool turns out and what you decide on a front locker. I was hoping on the front locker for my next modification, but i would like to get this manual case in and then a lift, so we'll see. I guess a rear locker is good enough for now. I'm going to price some tcases at the yard, now what were the differences in the tcases that i should look for?

Happy trails!!

 

[BUCHVILLEMAN]

every yard will tell you that there is no difference between the 13-50 and 13-54. we all know there is so be very specific about it being from an explorer or ranger 91 or after. i personally wouldnt get one with over 100k on it (if the mileage is known) if not most bigger yards will give you warranties. i bought mine through a larger yard and got a 10k warranty for $250. the only reason that i got it this cheap was because i was buying a tranny for $1200. besure that you can shift it buy hand and that everythign is really tight when turning input/output. most wil not include linkage but will throw it in if they do have it. my linkage is actually from a ranger and my tcase is from an explorer. i was quoted from 300-600 typically. i think that if you pay more than 450 then you are gettign hosed. there are many places that have the online search that offer free shipping or for cheap with good garauntees. the only reaon i didnt go with this is because the local yard is big and ordered one from VA and shipped it for free.
good luck!