Solid axle (maybe)

[falconace]

I have a 97 2wd xlt with the automatic transmission. It has 108k on it and its the sohc engine. I am debating between converting to 4x4 with a solid axle or just getting a new vehicle, prob a truck, with 4x4. I have been talking to a local offroad shop that tells me that they cant find a transfer case for my explorer that isnt like 2g. Is this true? Also, what do you guys think, should i keep it or get a new truck?

 

[section525]

Some one on this site just bought a brand new tcase for $250! Check ebay and the For Sale, Trade, Wanted Section here.

If you did the swap you would be a Superstar.. and if you bought another truck with 4wd... you'd be just another guy with a 4wd truck.

 

[taxx]

Well your right the only after market T-Case out there is the Atlass II and it is $$$$ but, you have options, like stated above, look around, you can always find a trashed truck at a salvage yard and get the tranny and t-case. The parts are out there you just have to look. Maybe you can find a tranny off a ranger with a manual t-case running the same engine you are or atleast a 4.0 and get it to work? It can be done it just takes imagination, time and research. However if you plan on paying someone else to do the work better start saving$$$$ but if you can do it it will be a blast.

 

[falconace]

thanks for the quick replies. So would I need a new transmission or does the transfer case just mount up to my current one? I have searched about the tcase mounting to the current tranny but i was unable to find if i need a new one, the posts just said other parts u need. I know there is an explorer junkyard somewhere around here. I would love to do this myself, I just havent ever done anything this big before, but hey there is always a first time for everything . I would love to do this to my explorer and then keep it as a trail rig forever when i eventually do get another daily driver.

 

[Ray Lobato]

You have a 2nd generation Explorer.
You will have to buy the front end from a donor truck.
That means that the front differiential ,CV's, steering knuckles, hub assemblies, the GEM from that truck and probably some wiring. You will also have to buy the transfercase and front drive shaft. You can do all this stuff yourself, because these are pretty much bolt on stuff, with the exception of the wiring harnesses. But it can be done. Good luck nad let usknow what you decide.

 

[CoryL]

You will need the 4wd transmission as the 2wd one has a different tail shaft and the output shaft isn't the same length.

You will also need to be able to weld, because there is no way to do a SAS on a 2nd gen without welding brackets, etc.

 

[falconace]

Thanks for the replies.

Ray, I thought about doing that but then i figured, hey if im gonna convert to 4wd, why not go all out and get a solid axle since i would want one down the line.

Cory, thanks for the info on the tranny. Do you know if I could get another 5 speed auto from another sohc 4x4 and then bolt that to a manual tcase from a first gen?

 

[taxx]

First gen X is not manual. Maybe rangers are.

 

[falconace]

some are. I'm friends with adam foote (thats his username on the board) and he has a 92 with auto tranny and manual tcase from the factory. Also, so do several ppl on the board, I think it was very uncommon though.

 

[Adam Foote]

he is correct they do come with manual t case too....

 

[jeffseal]

ballpark estimate... what do you think parts will cost from a salvage yard

 

[falconace]

I'm not sure, I gotta figure that out. If its not ridiculously expensive, then i think i will do it if everything works out as planned.

 

[falconace]

Also, what do you look for from a tranny/tcase from a junk yard. I would still need this to be reliable as a daily driver.

 

[falconace]

So far, this is looking like a go. What would be the biggest tire i can run with a d44 up front? I would love to go to 44" but i doubt that the axle could take it. I have a friend that has a dodge 1500 with 38"s on his d44 but from some posts on this board i get the feeling that i shouldnt go over 35". What do yall think?

 

[taxx]

You can always upgrade teh Axle Components and make it Beafier, but if you really want to run large tires why not get a Danna 60?

 

[Ray Lobato]

I would think that a Dana 60 would be overkill.

 

[DocVijay]

Would a Dana 44 handle 37's? I'll probably end up going with some 35's when I do the SAS, but might get 37's instead. Would a beefier axle be necessary? How about the rear? Does the Ford 8.8 handle 35's/37's?

I'll be doing a 5.0 engine swap at the same time, so I'll probably just end up buying a whole trashed Explorer to get the parts from. Is the factory transfer case pretty beefy, or would it be worth it to go with an Atlas II or such t-case?

 

[Rick]

I think a D-44 could handle 38's with CTM U-Joints and alloy axle shafts. With the stock shafts and U-joints you're really asking for it.

A stock D-60 starts where a heavily setup D-44 leaves off.

 

[DocVijay]

So I guess Ray is right in saying that a D-66 is overkill. Sounds like the 44 will be enough.

Now what about the rear? I've heard the factory Ford 8.8 is actually pretty strong. How strong is it really?

 

[taxx]

Originally posted by DocVijay
So I guess Ray is right in saying that a D-66 is overkill. Sounds like the 44 will be enough.

Now what about the rear? I've heard the factory Ford 8.8 is actually pretty strong. How strong is it really?

Depends on what you want to run. 37s get a D 44 for 44s get a 60