I broke the transmission extension housing

[jwmoose]

Ok, what I have: 95 Explorer Sport 4X4, 4.0 OHV, Manual trans and 4405 TC. Yesterday while driving up the interstate, it began shaking violently and then quit pulling as if the clutch was pushed in. After getting it towed home I started tearing it apart and found that the cv joint on the front of the rear drive shaft had seized, the TC had come loose from the trans (ext. housing broke), and the output shaft on the trans is ruined.

So: it looks like I need a trans, a rear driveshaft, and a TC.

I want to go back with a manual trans and a manual shift TC (1354?) to get rid of the electric 4X4 mess. Since I'm financially disabled (poor) I'll be sourcing all my parts from local junk yards.

Here's my question: What years of explorers or rangers should I be looking for to find the parts that I need? It seems that the a M5OD-R1 from an 88-up ranger 4X4 should work, but what had the TC that I need? I want the strongest and most reliable stuff that I can get out of the salvage yard to install/retrofit into the Explorer. It doesn't have to be fancy or clean, just need to get this truck back on the road for work. I use the truck for a daily driver and do some light off roading on the weekends. I've done the torque twist and 2" shackles on the back. I'm planning on the 3" body lift sometime. Thanx for the advice.

 

[jwmoose]

Ok well I went to the junk yard and got a trans out of a 89 2WD bronco, a 1350 manual shift TC from a ranger of unknown year, a rear driveshaft from a 98 X sport (without the cv front joint), and the front driveshaft and TC shifter from a 88 bronco. I'll try to put all this together this weekend and we'll see what happens.

 

[jwmoose]

Tonight I got the old trans out and the new junkyard unit in and the 1350 bolted up. It appears the front drive shaft will have to be cut down by about 2 inches. It stands to reason that the rear drive shaft should need to be 2 inches longer. I have no problem cutting a drive shaft and making it shorter but stretching one is beyond me. Now I'm thinking I'll go look for a drive shaft for a 4 door explorer and try to cut that down to fit.