John_Rock's 2001 Sport Trac 4x4

[crazyflights]

So when you gonna SAS it???? Thats some pretty extreme stuff with IFS !

 

[John_Rock]

When money grows on trees.

Seems I always have other things going on. I haven't even had time or money to take it wheeling as it stands.

 

[John_Rock]

Damn, over 1 year later and I still haven't put the a front axle back in this beast since I put the Superlift on it. As a matter of fact, I pulled the locker out of the front differential and put the axle into my 2000 Limited. So I got my 2000 Limited back to being AWD. I've had some fun in the last few months doing some light wheeling with it as my Facebook friends can attest to the videos I have posted over there.

Ok, back to the Sport Trac. It sucks not having 4wd. I almost got her stuck in some soft dirt last weekend while out for a little neighborhood cruise.

So, I got a PM from a fellow EF Sport Trac owner asking about what to do in order to replace the stock front drive shaft with another one that won't get worn out.

So I did some searching and found someone's RCD lift thread and discussion of front drive shaft possibilities.

It was discussed that it's best to get a double-cardan front drive shaft from a 1996 v8 AWD Explorer. And then get the Neapco adapter # N2-83-287X to make the double-cardan 4 hole t-case end fit the 6 hole flange on the transfer case.

So I did a quick search on www.car-parts.com and found one at a junkyard just 3 miles from me for $65. I called them to confirm they had one. And then I headed over there to get it.

front drive shaft from a 1996 v8 AWD Explorer

Doing a Google search on the Neapco part # N2-83-287X led me to a Ranger board discussion thread and learned a couple more things...

Apparently Neapco part # N2-83-288X is an upgraded part that fits both Toyota and Ford. Has extra holes in it for the T-case side to fit either Toyota or Ford.

Another suggestion I found on a Ranger board was to replace your t-case with one that has the non-CV style flange.

Originally Posted by redranger4.0
Zack, go find a manual 1354 from a 91-94 explorer or 1993-1997 ranger. it will bolt up to your truck, and it will have regular yokes not the wierd CV flange.

So my next decision is to either get the Neapco adapter or look for an older manual transfer case to match the double-cardan front drive shaft.

By now some of you are going, so what dude? You still don't have a front axle. But, I do. Actually have two to choose from. I have the original one out of my 2000 Limited AWD and a vacuum disconnect one that I bought some time back. But both of these axles have 3.73 gears and I need 4.10 gears to match my rear 8.8. Ha, but I do have a pair of 4.10 front gears that I purchased years ago from Gerald Jarrett. I just have to decide which axle to put them in. Probably will put them in the vacuum disconnect axle.

Still need to buy new shocks and replace the fuel pump. Always lots to do and not always a lot of money to spend on them. But I keep rollin on.

 

[John_Rock]

The reason for the front drive shafts from a v8 AWD Explorer is because they are slightly longer than the front drive shafts in our v6 4x4 Explorers.

 

[FROADER]

You need to put a GD solid axle up front...

 

[John_Rock]

You need to put a GD solid axle up front...

, you need an Explorer! :mattmoon: RC trucks aren't the same.

I can still do some fun wheeling in this 10 year old IFS POS.

 

[FROADER]

I've still got a 4wd truck.

 

[John_Rock]

I've still got a 4wd truck.

Are you talking about that pavement queen F-150 that you have? :

 

[Turdle]

I've still got a 4wd truck. I think it goes into 4wd but not sure bout that.

Fixed Colin's post.

 

[FROADER]

You crazy kids... It's been in 4wd more than the explorer ever was in 2009. :

BTW John, I can't believe those SXs are still alive on the back of that thing!

 

[section525]

Too bad you missed boomin's axles with 4.56s. That would have been a nice upgrade.

 

[John_Rock]

You crazy kids... It's been in 4wd more than the explorer ever was in 2009. :

BTW John, I can't believe those SXs are still alive on the back of that thing!

Those aren't the SXs I got from Kris years ago. They are 14.5" wide SXs I got from Justin Klare a couple years back. I may need to change those out. They are a little smaller in diameter than the new BFGs.

 

[John_Rock]

You crazy kids... It's been in 4wd more than the explorer ever was in 2009. :

So when are you bringing the F-150 out to Comanche Ridge???

 

[John_Rock]

Thanks to the generous Mr. Turdle, I have custom built adapter made for a Toyota flange.

 

[Tbars4]

...It's not powder coated...:shifty_ey ..Send it back...:

 

[Turdle]

I knew I was forgetting something--

 

[John_Rock]

Well...

I ended up not using the specialized adapter that Turdle sent me. That one off adapter was made for a Toyota drive shaft. And after talking to a local drive shaft place, it sounded like adapting a Toyota drive shaft was more of a PITA than getting the Neapco N2-83-287X adapter. Which, btw, that local drive shaft shop had one in stock.

So I had them install the Neapco N2-83-287X adapter, the necessary 1310 CV socket yoke, 2 new U-joints, and shortened the shaft by about 1.25 inches. The new/used/rebuilt drive shaft measured at 31 inches from transfer case flange to the end of the U-joint cap on the differential end.

 

[John_Rock]

Certainly not a five minute install anymore...

It really helped to remove the transfer case skid place. But as rust would have it, two of the bolts holding it on would not come off with the impact wrench. They had to be cut off with my sawzall. :

After being 2wd for over one year, she's back to being 4x4 capable...

 

[John_Rock]

Of course the fun never ends...

Here's some of my TODO list...

• Replace fuel pump
• Replace all the shocks.
• Replace the rear leaf springs.
• Replace the rear window motor.

 

[Tbars4]

...Congrats on getting it together...:biggthump

...I know all about your current to do list as I am suffering from similar situations that are keeping my from proceding forward...One after another and it never ends...