Does anyone know anything about converting a 1996 2x4 2.3l ford ranger into an AWD?

do you mean 4x4 or actual AWD, because there is a difference.

AWD is usually on vehicles with independent rear suspension like explorers and such.

4x4 is something you engege (usually unless its a trail rig).

The BEST thing to do if you want 4x4 is to SAS your truck. Put a solid axle under it with a manual transfer case. That will be your best bet.

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How well do you love your truck? Because thats going to be a job.

In reality its not that bad. Im not an expert on SASing, but all he needs is an axle a steering box, some linkage and leaf springs. Then he will need a transfer case and a possibly a transmission lol. plenty of people do it to their 4x4s.

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can you get any transfer case and convert it. i cant find a transfer case for a 2.3 ford

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94 Mazda B2300
jvc head unit scosh hds and xplod speakers also have 2 12 inch subs in the back.
american racing directionals on 30/9.5/15s
INDIANA RANGERS
MAZDAS

the real difference between AWD and 4x4 is in the transfer case, not the rear axle. AWD vehicles have a differential in the transfer case that allows for the difference in wheel speed between the front and rear axles to avoid the binding you get with 4x4 on pavement. as far as the swap, anythings possible with enough time and money so it depends on how much you have of both of those. in almost all cases youd be further ahead selling the truck and getting a 4x4.

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i cant do that i just need to know if i can get any transfer case for 4wd.

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94 Mazda B2300
jvc head unit scosh hds and xplod speakers also have 2 12 inch subs in the back.
american racing directionals on 30/9.5/15s
INDIANA RANGERS
MAZDAS

you can....up until 97 ford rangers came with 4cyl 4x4 as an option

to convert just find and m5od with transfercase and it should technically bolt on

i said to get the m5od because you would have to change your tail housing and output shaft....it would almost be easier to drop in the new trans and transfercase

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1996 XLT 2.3T "White Lightning" 5/7 dropped, Turbo street toy
2006 FX4 Off Road, DD, work in progress
1985 XLT 2.8L 4x4 "The Black Pearl" (retired but still around)
1987 XL 2.3L 2wd R.I.P.

I half-ass did this on a ranger I had. The tranny was bad and I used one from the 4.0 it was an A4LD. Swapped bell housings and then it bolted right in. It was basically a 2wd ranger with 2hi/2lo.

I had the complete front end from the donor truck but realized that the mounts for the TIB/TTB were different, alot. And it was more work than what I wanted to put into it to swap everything over.

My plan was to have a 4cyl turbo 4x4! That would have been awesome!

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Ball Joints/Upper A-Arms How To
Replace Door pin/bushing
Repair broken dome light tabs
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I do have one question for barny69.. does your truck have a torrsion bar or an indipendent front suspention?

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01 EDGE 4.0 5 SPEED 4X4 FLOWMASTER LEVELING KIT SITTING ON 31s

Dana 30 front axle....if you want a straight axle


Maybe get something from an older model jeep cj or something.

Or get you another Ranger that's already 4x4.......and switch stuff out that you want. Converting over is going to take awhile...

Yeah that what I thought, AWD is permanently engaged and 4wd can be engaged/disengaged whenever you want.

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1987 2.3/TK5, 125K.

yes this is something i would like to do to mine.

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TOTALED 2001 Ford Ranger SuperCab 4.0L SOHC Manual 4x4
SOLD 1996 Ford Ranger 2.3L 2wd Reg Cab

Looks like he asked the question then ran off. But you could look into a awd system from a aerostar, and then use a a4ld. also there are a few 4x4 rangers that came with 2.3 m50d, but they are few and far between if your looking for parts.

Hey, I have a '96 Ranger XLT. I picked it up for free. every thing works. but, it is 2wd and i am going to go offroading with it (after I modify) and want it to be 4wd. What parts do I need? I can do the work myself, considering that I am "mechanically Inclined"