97 Explorer transfer case conversion.

[fdrynly]

Hello I'm a newbie and a grandfather trying to help my g-son on his 97 explorer, the transfer case is real noisy and he's not ready financially to trade up or replace it, so being around the block and working on cars since my first / 50 ford flathead i would like to disconnect the front drive shaft and make it a rwd, we live in flat country ,any help would be great. thanks . also its a learning experience for him to figure out things and trouble shoot which I love to do, sure I have the cash to buy but he wants to not always have a easy way out, of course we don't want to wreck the thing either. Thanks

 

[my pos mounty]

Four bolts on the front differential driveshaft flange and 6 at the transfercase (might be allen head screws) and your done. That will not quiet the transfercase however. The transfercase will still have the task of passing the torque thru to the rear output shaft and will still turn internally.

Welcome to the forum

 

[fdrynly]

97 xplorer t/c noise

Thanks for the info,Iwas thinking that if taking the load off the front diff. it may eliminate the noise,if not we will have to rebuild or maybe a used unit. thanks again.

 

[my pos mounty]

If it has the switch on the dash, (Auto, 4hi, 4lo) the transfercase does not send any power to the front differential unless you switch it to a 4x4 mode or it senses slippage (front to rear). If you want to check junkyards around you for an affordable replacement try www.car-part.com , but before you go to that extent, be sure its your transfercase.

 

[Sams01XplrSprt]

welcome

 

[fdrynly]

thanks mounty, good advice, and I hope you find employment soon.

 

[Glen4X4]

I did not see any info as far as what motor the truck has or anything if it is an XL then its a 4.0 but if it has the 5.0 you do not want to remove the transfer case or the truck could roll away in Park. If a 4.0 its kind of like mounty said the transfer case could still potentially make noise since these are only 2 speed transfer cases the gears for 4high are turning even if the switch is not in "high".

 

[fdrynly]

Thanks, Glen4x4 more good advice and adding to my t-shooting list. I really appreciate the help.

 

[BrooklynBay]

Welcome to this forum! I've moved your thread into the transmissions & transfer cases section.

 

[96nick]