SparkyXplorer-BW4406 Swap

[Turdle]

4lo+v8= heh heh heh

Warning! put your head firmly against the seatback for first test--wow!

 

[Turdle]

AWD (4404) shipping weight 80 lbs
4x4 (4406) shipping weight 120 lbs

That 40 pound difference feels like 100 when you are trying to get it on your chest

 

[FlyBoyCoe]

Benching sucks, I was lucky enough to be working in a garage with a tranny jack. Made that a whole lot nicer.

 

[MountaineerGreen]

I can't guarantee you will, but I saw a gain in mileage. A prime example is when I drove back from Moab, I got 19.6 MPG driving 70 MPH. Keep in mind that I am running 33's, 4" of lift and I had a bunch of crap in the back (several hundred pounds worth). I don't feel that would have been possible AWD.

 

[CDW6212R]

I agree with the mileage estimates, it will be very little. Good luck with it, take your time and plan for about three times your first estimate of labor.

Curious, I'm still watching, but how many members have done the BW4406 with the automatic shifting? I have not searched to take notes yet, but I'll prefer to use mine like the V6 BW4405 in my 99 Limited. Regards,

 

[MountaineerGreen]

Curious, I'm still watching, but how many members have done the BW4406 with the automatic shifting? I have not searched to take notes yet, but I'll prefer to use mine like the V6 BW4405 in my 99 Limited. Regards,

I have only seen one electric shift 4406 conversion- V8boatbuilder's. He did the swap long ago- he was the pioneer. I stayed away from that conversion because of the complicated wiring and modules to make it work correctly, and in order to do the swap, he had to change to a sport gas tank.

 

[CDW6212R]

Well I thought that the Sport tank was needed for any BW4406. Thanks Evan, I noticed from that thread the several electrical connections.

Working through my 99 4WD V6 truck I've handled the 4WD electrical components, and my AWD 98 has all of those same connections. I should have the same project as his, to just plug in the few modules and TC harness. Thanks,

 

[Turdle]

Don, believe me, you will forget the shift lever is even there when you drive-
It looks tight, but fits perfect really. My leg does not touch it ever--

 

[MountaineerGreen]

The shift lever is never an issue for me- I am 6' 1", 230 ish. My leg never touches it and it is within easy reach- I can pull it into 4 hi effortlessly.

 

[FlyBoyCoe]

And pulling that lever down into 4Lo to get up some rocks is so much more satisfying.

 

[sparkyXplorer]

I can not wait to get true 4x4, I mean I have tried to flex out on a few rocks and what not, and I get one wheel in the rear spinning cause t-case sends it all to the back and then the lack of a locker and I get one wheel shooting dirt all over.......Now I will have 2 since nethier axle is locked but still 2 is more then 1...!!! I cant wait..

 

[Turdle]

And pulling that lever down into 4Lo to get up some rocks is so much more satisfying.

well I can't say about that, but I did tippytoe up a four foot hill once-

 

[Hokie]

We're 30 min apart if you need help. My '98 Mounty has a manual 4406 in it if you want something to compare to. My dad installed it before I put the BL in, its ALOT easier to do with the BL!

I wish I could tell you I got better milage with the new case, but I threw on some steel wheels and 32" tires about the same time which dropped the milage quite a bit. But on the highway I can still see high teens and low twenties, if I'm not lead-footing it as usual.

My MPG's sucked before/after the t-case swap. I have seen no difference. Adding the BL and 32's has only sent it futher down the drain.

 

[sparkyXplorer]

Well I after the 33's I was getting like 13.1-13.6 avg, then intake and exhaust and now like mid 14mpg...

 

[sparkyXplorer]

Can somebody show me if I am measuring the rearshaft correct in post #19, and show me where to measure it at from yoke to yoke...I mean I understand and know what the yokes are but where do you measure it from?

 

[sparkyXplorer]

My newest toy to add

I decided to go to the dealer for this...



Total cost for swap as of now: $216.10

 

[Turdle]

My newest toy to add

I decided to go to the dealer for this...



Total cost for swap as of now: $216.10

OoooHH
shiney and new--

 

[sparkyXplorer]

Yeah, I almost ended up getting the wronge one cause the guy didn't hear me when I told him that I have a 4r70w and he for some reason thought I had the 5-speed....right before I gave him my credit card he was like, did you say you had the 4r70w, opps sorry I got to go back...

The even though the linkage should be very similar the one for the 5-speed is like 20 bucks more...I don't know why

 

[sparkyXplorer]

Does it matter if the expedition that my rear driveshaft is coming from has the standard suspension or air suspension?

 

[MountaineerGreen]

I think, not sure, but I think my rear shaft came from an air ride Expo.