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Ford Explorer Community - Maintenance - Modifications - Performance Upgrades - Problem Solving - Off-Road - Street
Explorer Forum Covers the Explorer ST, Explorer Sport, Explorer Sport Trac, Lincoln Aviator, Mercury Mountaineer, Mazda Navajo, Ford Ranger, Mazda Pickups, and the Ford Aerostar
Well I did some measureing - and I'm getting more confident in the expy 4406. I think the expy's stock d-shaft will clear our gastank with 1/2" to spare.
My next project is to nab said rear driveshaft, and mock it up. To be continued.
I'm away at college, so progress will be slow going. Not much has changed, but I did buy a 2000 4405 t-case (from a v6 explorer) and a 1997 Tailshaft for the same case. It was WICKED cheap. My hope is to be able to sell it, but if the expy t-case doesn't work, I have this one.
Expy t-cases are hard to come buy for less than $400, not something I want to spend unless I KNOW it will fit, or I can return it.
The junkyards wanted at least $100 for the expy d-shafts, again more than I wanted to spend for a "Trial and Error" part.
Would love to buy a 1997 4x4 GEM though.... That I need for sure.
Well gang, I just bought a jeep np208 on ebay.
I'll make sure to take lots of pictures when I take off the ford 208 input shaft and put it in the jeep case.
Only thing that could cause a ... delay is how soon i can get someone to machine me a spacer.
Time to revive this thread - I'm out of school and this project has been itching at me all winter. I have also collected all of the electronics, including a 97 4x4 GEM. There are a couple of junkyards within an hour drive of me selling 97-98 Expedition 4406 cases for under $200. I'm going to buy one, and dry fit it.
TMSOKO's biggest problem was interference with his Ranger gas tank - the Explorer tank is different, so I'm not ruling it out.
I am also looking at either using an Expedition rear-driveshaft or adapting one. The Mountaineer has 61 7/8" clearance between the transmission output flange and the rear axle pinion flange.
The expedition 4x4 rear driveshaft came in 4 lengths, depending on if the truck had auto-ride air bag suspention, std coil springs, the 4r70w trans or the e4od. The e4od shafts are shorter.
We have 14" between the transmission output flange and the front of the gas tank support. How long is the 4406?
If I can get at it, I will measure the transfer case this weekend. I have actually been thinking of putting a fuel cell where the spare tire is and using the case, but that is a whole other involved project, so probably will never happy - life keeps getting in the way of progress on my truck!
Rear Drive Shaft: 1998 Lincoln Navigator, w/5.4 & Auto air Suspention
From my preliminary research, the auto air suspention and standard suspention expedition dirveshafts are the same length, but the std. suspention shafts have a double-cardan at the t-case slip. Air suspentions are single u-joint.
Based on my rough calculations, my new rear d-shaft needs to be about 36" from the t-case yoke to the pinion flange. Both the expedition shaft I purchased, and a rear shaft from a 4x4 explorer sport will fit. The explorer shaft is thinner, has a built in slip yoke, and uses smaller u-joints.
I want to - but I'm having dinner with a friend tonight. Hopefully it'll go in tomorrow. Don't worry, there will be lots of pics no matter what the outcome is.
Oh, how resiliant are the metal gas tanks to a little mechanical persuasion, if need be?
Todd, what motor mounts did you use for your conversion? What do you think the fore/aft placement is of your engine/tranny in comparison to a stock V8 explorer?
I am pretty sure he used the stock everything from the donor, should put the drivetrain in the exact spot at a 97 5.0L explorer.
the ranger frame might be slightly different towards the back, the Explorer frames get wider.....not sure about the 97 ranger frame though.....
I am pretty sure his conversion was remove 97 Ranger drivetrain, install Explorer 5.0L drivetrain. Since they both have IFS and rack and pinion the engine cradle and engine bay are the same.
Problem is it's the hanger/bracket for the tank in the way and not the actual (beatable) gas tank. At least thats the problem I have right now with my setup.