Transfer Case Broken

[Blue Steel]

It's a very sad day for me. No more wheeling for a while. Took it to Ford because of grinding and cracking when engaging in 4wd, and they told me it's the transfer case, and being a college student, there's no way I can afford their prices. Are there any sites on the internet that sell transfer cases? Also, how hard are they to install? Would it be a good idea to get one from a scrap yard? Are there any "stronger" transfer cases available for the 97 with ifs? Thanks guys, I'm super bummed cause no wheeling for me for a while. Oh well, now I'll be able to wash and wax the truck this weekend cause I'm not going wheeling.

 

[BUCHVILLEMAN]

your looking at $350 - $450 for used one and yes you can swap it yourself. youll need to disconnect the drive shafts, and disconct from tranny. BUT i just went through this exact same thing. disconnect both drive axles or just the front and jack the rear and put it in 4low not 4high/auto, see if your front output is putting out. i thought and was told by more than one person that was problem but i checked and its my front gears. but if your sure then that sucks.

 

[Blue Steel]

yup i'm sure it's the transfer case. it does move the front wheels when engaged, but not very well at all, and makes a hell of a lot of grinding noise and slips half the time. when disconnecting it from the tranny, what exactly is involved if you could be specific. when i decide to change them out, i don't want too many surprises thanks for the quick reply

 

[BUCHVILLEMAN]

-remove the skid plate
-disconnect the drive shafts (rear 12mm, fromt 10mm i think)
-unplug shift motor and sensors
-put a jack and stand under to support also block the wheels
-i believe there are 8 bolts most likely 9/16" if i remember right
once they are all removed have a second set of hands you will have to jerk and pull. use the rear output yoke to turn back and forth to help loosen everything, this will also be necesasry to align the sline up when putting it back in.
-get under there and study before hand and have some help.
-youll get it! you just have to apply ass and brain (no insult just a quote from my grandpa)

 

[Blue Steel]

awesome. so no fluids will be squirting out at me. hey that's a quote to remember: "apply your ass and brain". i'll have to remember that one. do you have any suggestions as to what to look for when shopping for a used transfer case? any things that should put up warning flags or anything? thanks. you've been a huge help.

 

[BUCHVILLEMAN]

i have had good results from planet slavage and direct auto they usually give prices and limited guarentee's. I have had one place try to tell me that i could just put a BW 1304 instead of my 4405 without any problems and that might be true but that wasnt what i was looking for.

they usually respond within an hour with a personal response and sometimes shipping is free. there are others but i cant remember youll just have to search.

oh yeah no fluids should jump out and get you.

 

[TarHeel085]

Dead Link Removed i dont know if this will fit yours but i thought you would be interested.

 

[Blue Steel]

hey buchvilleman, what part number was your transfer case if you remember? i see some numbers besides transfer cases, and i don't know a lot about them and what their numbers mean so could you explain if you know. also, i was told that there are two different transfer cases for the explorer that they put on them. mine was the one that they stopped making for some reason, and i've called ford and they're supposed to get back to me about that.

 

[BUCHVILLEMAN]

welp, late models that have 4x4 are generally the BW 4405, exceptions are AWD, BUT i think that there are differences between the years as the 4x4 systems advanced so i cant tell you for sure that the one i have and the one you have are identical though i believe they will bolt up directly. the early models use the BW 1354, but i dont know much if anythign about these tcases. i know that they will bolt up to the late models but i know there are considerabe differences on how the computer relates to it and how it operates in general. i know that when i was looking for parts the ford guy had me get the number off of the bottom of the tcase so this implied to me that there are differences amoung the BW 4405. So it is best to find out exactly what you have. im not sure if your owner's manual will tell you so you will have to crawl under there and check.

 

[Blue Steel]

thanks. you've been a really great help. i'll take a look at the number this weekend and see what's up. then it's off to a wreck yard for a used t-case. see if any low mileage exploders had a rear end totalling them.