BW4406 transfer case swap questions

[yellow coupe]

I have a 97 Mountaineer and it has started trying to kind of bind up when the wheels are turned pretty sharp. I think this is a transfer case issue if I am correct. I have an extra 4R70W tranny and transfer case that I got in a trade. I can trade my tranny and t/c for the stuff to do the swap from a friend that owns a junk yard. This is just an every day driver and does not go off road. We don't usually get much snow either.
My questions are
1- How much difference could I expect in gas mileage? I get 16 mpg now in
mixed driving.
2-Would I be better off doing the swap or just installing the extra t/c that
I have for the awd?
3-From what I have read up on the swap, it looks like it could be done in a
day if I had everything ready to do it. I have turned wrenches for almost
30 years and it doesn't look like that bad of a job.

Any input appreciated, especially from members that have done the swap.
Thanks

 

[Turdle]

Ok on one hand AWD is great for street driving, and it is always there when you need it without your needed input. For the occasional slick conditions it is very sure footed, and, the ideal setup.

However, you will gain a little fuel economy, and, save the wear on front drive train parts by doing the swap. Adding the low range is a nice bonus.

My thinking has been swayed by the people on this forum, so, considering this bias to my opinion, I think the swap would enhance the resale value down the road. It would be that one desirable thing to the person most likely to buy it, which would be a guy looking for a reasonably priced off road 4wd vehicle. The selectable transfer case behind a v8 in an explorer would separate it from the rest in the crowd.

The only obstacle I see preventing this from being a one day swap are the speedometer calibration, and unseen hurdles and self induced breakage. I really think 2 healthy people could get it accomplished in a day. Go for it

 

[yellow coupe]

I have never calibrated a speedometer before. What is involved in that? The t/c that I would be trading for is out of a 97 f-150 so it should have the speedometer gear in it.

 

[Turdle]

First you need to determine if your transfer case has a speed sensor to worry about. If there are any wires at all coming out of the output shaft of your present AWD transfer case, it does have a speed sensor in it. If there are no wires, the speed sensor is in the rear differential, which eliminates any hassles

Here is a thread for a 96 swap. He had to deal with the speed sensor and has it all spelled out for you I think

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=166605

 

[yellow coupe]

Well, I don't know if I will do the swap or not. My wife drives the Mountaineer some and she likes the AWD, especially in the winter. The way it is now she don't have to do anything but drive. How can I tell if my t/c is going out. Like I said in the original post, there is no problems at all except when you turn pretty sharp going slow. It takes a little more engine effort than a 2wd vehicle. I need to know if this is normal or not. This is the first AWD I have owned. Only had it a few months. Can anyone enlighten me on it?

 

[yellow coupe]

Anyone??

 

[CDW6212R]

The AWD doesn't typically have that as a symptom when they go. You usually hear a noise or clunk, or have an erratic feel in the steering. They really don't go often enough for us to say very well. The driveshaft is much more common to go, check the boot.

Start by checking the tire sizes, an AWD must have virtually identical tires, all four. Two new tires with two old ones will mess up the AWD viscous clutch very fast. Regards,

 

[jrford]

slow figure 8's with wheel binding, hop, etc is a sign of a failed Viscous. If you remove the front driveshaft and it disappears, most likley its the viscous. Of course inspect the drive shafts, diff's for problems too. Different tire size can cause it to prematurely fail.