awd vs 4wd with 33's ?

[quickerest]

I was planning to buy another explorer and was thinking 1998 vintage.

I plan on a 3" body lift and some 33 inch tires.

So exactly what is the awd and 4wd difference on these?

it is completely a mechanical difference or is is electronic?

Oh and I plan to put some extra ponies in the v8.

I already have a 2000 2wd limited for the wife.

Thanks

 

[James909]

The awd and auto 4x4 are different t-cases. The awd (V8) t-case is the 4404 and the 4x4 (V6) t-case is the 4405. The awd t-case always sends about a 30/70 power split to the front/rear wheels, respectively. There is no low range. The 4x4 t-case sends power to the rear wheels most of the time, only engaging 4x4 when wheel spin is detected. This t-case has low range. When this t-case is locked in 4x4 it acts just like any other part time 4x4 t-case, sending equal power to the front and rear axles. Therefore it shouldn't be driven on the street in 4x4. So I guess to answer your question, even though they are often confused they are two totally different set ups.

 

[quickerest]

It is more than likely that I will go with a 4wd option only then.

Thanks

 

[quickerest]

Are all v8's set up with the AWD system?

I think its time to do some more research.

 

[XLT]

You bet all V8s are AWD but people have switched out t-cases so they can have 4wd instead of the awd. Do a search for that and you should be able to find some threads on it.

 

[James909]

Are all v8's set up with the AWD system?

I think its time to do some more research.

All the second gen Explorer's with V8's came either with AWD or 2wd. The 2wd ones do seem to be more rare though. It doesn't sound like you want 2wd though.

 

[techieman33]

If you want a v8 do a search for "4406 swap" that will give you 4x4 with a really low range gear.

 

[quickerest]

I was hoping I could get a 96-2000 4 door 3" body lift and 32's-33's with fender cutting. There is no reason to expect the awd system to really help much with bigger tires. More importantly I want more power.
I would like to have around 350-400hp. I figure the v6 transfer case is a waste of time. The reason for the 3" body lift is two fold. room for the larger transfer case and more weight lower to the ground. I am willing to modify the fenders quite a bit but unfortunately the 4 door makes it a pain. If I bought a 2 door I could cut away enough room for 33" with a body lift. I have a body man who can move the stock lips up higher and make it look somewhat stock. the other issue is the Dana 35. I have seen some people working on a Dana 44 solution. I had a thought of just (the word 'just' is obviously a fantasy) swaping in the front ifs pod off a larger ford truck or exsplorer.

Reasoning is simple. no point having a v8 and no power. no reason having 4wd with a v8 and not being able to use it with more power.

I have a 1975 blazer I am rebuilding for my semi hardcore wheeler so I figure all I wanted from the next explorer was a grocery getter with sleeper power and the ability to drive in 4 foot snow drifts.

I actually would be happy with awd for this vehicle as it will be more of a on road toy. The problem is the lack of reliability/strength with reasonably priced awd systems.

So back to 4wd and hp.

Sorry for the long story just seemed like I should share so my 'quest' was clear.

Thanks for all the info. I guess its back to the drawing board and search button.

 

[techieman33]

The awd case should hold up to that much power, I see you've mentioned a body lift, you can also do a torsion bar lift and shackles, which would give you about 5" and you should be able to clear 33's with that

 

[quickerest]

you really think the awd will work with 350-400hp? That would make it much easier. I have no fantasies about the amount of upgrading required but I figured the rear end would be ok. The drive shafts can be easily done. the front dif is a serious issue as is the transfer case.

Is that the 'superlift' lift kit you mentioned?

I have a funny feeling I would end up cooking the awd unit.

I still plan to buy a explorer for the project but I may end up going with a 2 door.

Thanks for all the info, looks like either way when I buy a v8 exploder i will be buying a awd unit. I figure the only way to find out what will or will not work is to add a kb sc and 33's and see what breaks first.

thanks now its deal hunting time. gonna find me a 5.0 with a blown transmission.

 

[410Fortune]

my 96 has a 5.0L, a 4406 t case, a 3" body lift, 1.5" tt and I clear 33x12.50 with some trimming

The 5.0L with the 4406 t case is *****in, absolutely a tank, worth every penny!
I paid:
$900 for truck
$2000 to get it up and running with a modded 5.0L, TM headers, airbags, bodypanels, etc
$500 for t case
$1000 in other odds and ends

$5000+/- 96 Tank on 33's
Add another $1200 or so to bore and stroke a stock 5.0L and BLAMO 350-400 HP
The AWD t case = sucks, 70% rear and 30% front will not get you through the snow like a true 4x4 hi does........trust me!

 

[quickerest]

nothing against techieman33 at all, but i have been into 4x4ing for quite some time and my 'opinion' tends to go towards 410Fortune's idea. 4wd over awd. That said i wanted to be sure before i went and spent a bunch of money and time on a transfer case swap. A 70-30 split is ok but it will be a serious problem in real snow.

I prefer the stroked 5.0 idea over the kb sc idea. I wasn't sure how much hp a na stroked 5.0 could produce.


If I could cut the fenders only and make 33's fit I would. lower center of gravity better. Unfortunately then the truck becomes a waste of time and money.

 

[quickerest]

410Fortune have you seen this?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=25Vj4rdUP40&feature=related
I figure with your bII's you might have.

 

[techieman33]

nothing against techieman33 at all, but i have been into 4x4ing for quite some time and my 'opinion' tends to go towards 410Fortune's idea. 4wd over awd. That said i wanted to be sure before i went and spent a bunch of money and time on a transfer case swap. A 70-30 split is ok but it will be a serious problem in real snow.

I prefer the stroked 5.0 idea over the kb sc idea. I wasn't sure how much hp a na stroked 5.0 could produce.


If I could cut the fenders only and make 33's fit I would. lower center of gravity better. Unfortunately then the truck becomes a waste of time and money.

Oh, I totally agree that the 4406 is the way to go, It's on my list of future mods. You just asked if it would hold the power, and it probably will, for a while at least. Also the torsion twist/shackle lift is not the superlift kit, just do a search for torsion twist on this site and you'll find tons of info. But basically it's 2" of lift for $60 and the cost of an alignment.

 

[410Fortune]

Troll pulled an 11 second 1/4 mile with the stock AWD t case
it can hold the power.....for a while

a 331 or 347 stroked pushrod 5.0L can make 350 RWHP, 400+ is possible of course, how deep is your wallet, teh TMH standard headers are good up to 350hp if I remember right, Robert makes another set with larger collectors I believe for more power/turbo applications


I would do a 2" body lift, 3" causes too many issues
I would then do a 2.5" torsion twist to clear the 33's

Either way I can tell you its ALOT of fun to drive
I love my 96, of course with me the parts and trucks just seem to find their way to me and fall in my lap...planning a build like this would be a whole new world to me! LOL with me its always circumstance

LOL at that mud BII, wouldnt make it 20' up the trail around here

 

[quickerest]

The Awd will take the hp I'm aiming for ( 350 hp is good ) that said the 70-30 split will more than likely become a problem in the future. The option to upgrade is there as well so all is good. I will upgrade to a 4406 when I put in the rebuilt engine.

These explorers get better by the day.

2" body lift with 2" torsion twist lift and I'm set for 33's.

I like to plan quite a bit first. I have done way too many projects that just turned out to be way to expensive for what they were. This looks like a ton of fun and fairly simple in nature.

Because most of it is stock it really comes down to building the engine and other parts as I drive. The full swap happens after everything is ready. This reduces tearing it apart more than I need too.

I have my blazer for the ground up build so it can be my never ending money pit.

You really helped out thanks.