Your 97 T case is control trac AWD
You can remove it and install a non control trac t case YES but you will have flashing 4x4 lights....so the best way to do this is to actually do a full "control trac delete"
Your 97 still has a VSS sensor in the tailhousing of the transfer case
You NEED to keep that VSS sensor
So DO NOT install a t case without the VSS sensor hole
I often remove the control trac v6 t case and replace them with 1354 manual shift or 1354 e shift t cases. These cases were used in the earlier trucks like your 91-94 and also in all 4.0 Rangers from 89-2011. Rangers NEVER had control trac
YOU NEED to use a pre 98 t case to retain the VSS speed sensor
These cases use a different style front driveshaft then you have now, so you will want to get the front driveshaft also
To do the conversion 100% you need to:
swap to a non control trac GEM module that still controls the 4x4 (not easy)
or
swap in a 02+ motorolla 4x4 controller box to control your new E shift t case (thats what I do)
Or
convert to a manual shift 1354 t case ( I do this alot too, manual t 1354 cases from 89-97 are getting harder to find!) You must get the shifter and shift linkage too
That is just to give you an idea of what is involved in a control trac delete. There is also something called the "brown wire mod" you might want to look into that.
Whatever you do do NOT GET RID of your 97 t case........... they are getting harder and harder to find with the rear speed sensor, so your case is a valuable parts donor/core
