Transmission question

[Scotts96sploder]

I have a 96 5.0 2wd, that will be getting a Dana 44 on leafs in the front at some point when I have some money. For now I’m going to start with the transmission. I have access to a 4wd, not sure what year, that I can get the trans and transfer case out of, but I was hoping to avoid electronics. I want to cut holes in the floor and have two shifters. So dose anyone have any suggestions for a tans and transfer case combo? Maybe something I can find in a junk yard?

 

[SWIGIN]

Just take the tail housing off your tranny and add a T case like a BW4406.

On second thought, the output shaft might be too long for that.

 

[MrQ]

The 4R70W and 4406 manual transfer case is the go-to 4WD combo for 5.0 Explorers. Both are very stout and were made for the F-150's, so are way overkill for our 1/4 ton Ranger based SUV's.

You cannot convert a 2WD 4R70W to 4WD easily, it requires replacement of the tail shaft which in turn also requires a full transmission teardown to access.

Manual transmission combinations are nigh impossible without serious modification. T-5 only came in 2WD and the M5OD-R2 (NOT R1, that is the V6/I4 manual transmission fitted to Rangers and Explorers) can be had in a 4WD version and the 4406 will mount to it, but the shifter sits where the center console would be in an Explorer.

 

[Scotts96sploder]

Ok so the one I might be able to steal parts out of is a 98 4wd automatic, if I pull the trans out of that, and bought a bw4406, all that would pretty much bolt right in? Obviously besides making a crossmember, cut a hole for the xfer shifte, different drive shaft etc. Or should I go digging for a 4wd 150 and pull the trans out of that?

 

[Scotts96sploder]

Oh that donor is a v6

 

[MrQ]

Stock cross member will work. You will need a 4R70W from an 96-97 Explorer or a 97 Mountaineer. 98 and up is different. You can use the transfer case shifter from the F150, but you will need to make or find your own boot. Rear driveshaft needs to be from a 5.4l 4wd Expedition if memory serves, the front driveshaft from 4.6 4x4 Expedition or F150 will work for the front. @MountaineerGreen had a really good 4406 swap thread that has all the details.

 

[Scotts96sploder]

That is extraordinarily helpful, thanks!!!

 

[BUXTER]

PRE 98 4r70w is not worthy of rebuild - The Hard Parts & Main VB in it are poor at best - Easiest for u wd be a 98-99 but newer is quite often retrofitted to pre 97 4r70w vehicles with relatively minor & very common mods - There are still MANY of them out there at reasonable price - Town Cars have the longer Tailshaft along with P71 Panther Platforms & many trucks - U cd actually fit an excellent 4r75w fm an AWD 2005 Expy or similar with just a few mods.

 

[MrQ]

PRE 98 4r70w is not worthy of rebuild - The Hard Parts & Main VB in it are poor at best - Easiest for u wd be a 98-99 but newer is quite often retrofitted to pre 97 4r70w vehicles with relatively minor & very common mods - There are still MANY of them out there at reasonable price - Town Cars have the longer Tailshaft along with P71 Panther Platforms & many trucks - U cd actually fit an excellent 4r75w fm an AWD 2005 Expy or similar with just a few mods.

MyBE if u sid somthin in a cmplt sentance wo riting like txting...this might not be nearly incomprehensible and could actually be usable information.

Pre-97 4R70W's are still good transmissions. Unless you are building this for a high performance engine (which the 5.0 is not in any way in stock form), its a moot point. My parents have a 96 with 280k miles on the original transmission. Just bypass the headache and you will never even know the difference.

 

[Scotts96sploder]

Lol, well I knew what he meant. I’ve found a few 4r70ws for under $200 already pulled, but they don’t say what they came out of or year. I guess I’ll study up on the codes.

 

[Scotts96sploder]

Ok I’ve got money and help, planning a trip to the big junk yard a couple hours away. So what should I look for? Pre97 x for the trans and same year f150/excursion for the xfer case?