BW1354M behind 5.0 in 2nd gen

[ThePolishJoke]

Hi guys.
I am just in progress of putting together, a 5,0 2nd gen. Basically swapping everything from 96 US market explorer into a pristine 2001 EU market body.

Recently I was sweeping my parts pile, and came across a bw1354m, and 4r70 with aod to bw13xx AA adapter.
Soooo...
What if...?

Obviously, I am going to need to either try to swap a homokinetic joint driveshaft flange into 1345, or install a free wheel front axle, from early ohv.
Those double cardan front driveshaft don't handle well turning constantly at highway speeds.

I need your opinion!
I know it is going to work, but am I sane?
bw4406M is not an available option. I live in Europe, and they just don't exist here for sale.

The goal of this build, is a mall crawler/wifes daily/sunday trips on unpaved roads.
Or should I keep awd transer case, enjoy handling, and keep myself out of trouble where low range may be needed.

 

[410Fortune]

I have that setup in my 1988 bronco ii
Ina e an early advance adapters adapter it is the 7” version I believe.

My 4r70w is custom was rebuilt with an custom advance adapter tailhousing and output shaft to bolt to the 1354m
1354m is from a 96 ranger

I am using 1993 explorer front and rear driveshafts that were shortened for a bii
You can use driveshafts from a 91-94 explorer or ranger in your rig with that t case

It Holds up fine to the v8 power
The 91-94 driveshafts will work fine in your 2000 the double cardan front shaft won’t care that your diff is stationary and never moves

The later model 1354m which was found in like 2002-2011 ranger fx4 uses the cup style cv joints at the front shaft… so that is another option.

 

[ThePolishJoke]

I have that setup in my 1988 bronco ii
Ina e an early advance adapters adapter it is the 7” version I believe.

My 4r70w is custom was rebuilt with an custom advance adapter tailhousing and output shaft to bolt to the 1354m
1354m is from a 96 ranger

I am using 1993 explorer front and rear driveshafts that were shortened for a bii
You can use driveshafts from a 91-94 explorer or ranger in your rig with that t case

It Holds up fine to the v8 power
The 91-94 driveshafts will work fine in your 2000 the double cardan front shaft won’t care that your diff is stationary and never moves

The later model 1354m which was found in like 2002-2011 ranger fx4 uses the cup style cv joints at the front shaft… so that is another option.

Hi
Yeah, Im using same setup in bronco except electric shift.
I have a spare tranny I did put together and used for testing when bronco tranny, developed OD issues.
I would really prefer, to use cv driveshaft. and late ranger flange is awesome lead. Actually found one on ebay for 35$ and currently I am trying to convince the seller to ship it to Poland.
Double cardan is absolutely ok, but when idle spinning at 60+mph, it develops some vibration. And I would rather not be gambling with finding a free wheel axle from ohv. Those things are almost 30 years old now, plus I would have to build some wiring and vacum lines to actuate it.
And knowing my luck, when I would decide, to go offroading, I would shift the tranny to 4x4 and forget to flip the switch to engage the axle and get stuck


Belive me or not I had like five v8 awd explorers, and never cared to enjoy driving them, I just stripped them asap, to extract drivetrain.
So I am not sure if getting rid of awd in favour of low range would be an upgrade or downgrade

 

[410Fortune]

Huge upgrade
It takes the awd away which is what is hurting performance
The awd eats front tires and wheel bearings
Removing that and installing a real t case turns a soccer mom suv into a real truck just like that. Mileage is improved, passing power is gained, and you will save enough on front tires to pay for the conversion over the life of the vehicle

The cad disconnect front differential from a 95-96 4.0 explorer will not clear the v8 oil pan… you would need to massage the pan, raise the engine, or lower the diff (like a drop bracket lift kit)

I too have always wanted to put the center axle disconnect diff in a 4wd v8 explorer.,, I have not done that yet