88 BII Electric Transfer Case

JFAKM · Post by **JFAKM** » Wed Jan 11, 2006 6:08 pm

I've read enough that I'm convinced I need to trash (pun intended) the automatic shift transfer case for a manual shift. I've looked at Naked Ducks how to for the 2wd to 4wd conversion. I suspect there are some similarities...

What I need is a list of parts: I know I need the Borg Warner 1350 Transfer Case (manual shift). Do I have to change the tranny out too? Or do I just need a shifter for the transfer case?

FYI - I'm not a mechanic... but you probably figuredf that out already.

OffroadBEAR · Post by **OffroadBEAR** » Wed Jan 11, 2006 7:19 pm

Well, unless your motor does not shift the transfer case, and you can't find a cheap replacement that works, you should swap. If it works fine, you really don't need to change it over. I still have mine in my 88 and it works perfectly and reliably, I plan on using it until it craps out, then swap transfer cases. My opinion, its not completely trash, especially if its a Daily Driver, and if it works, why F it up. But enough of my crap spewing, here you go...

The transfer cases swap out completely. You need the 1350 mechanical shift (if you can find one for a good price, get a 1354 from an exploder) transfer case, the entire manual shift linkage (it bolts directly on to your transmission, which has the mounting boss already cast in it). You will also need the transmission tunnel panel like Naked Ducks page says. Its pretty straightforward, and you don't need to remove the transmission. The wiring harness from the manual tranfercase which tells your dash and EEC what position the t-case is in will plug right in to the truck where the old one did, but you will just need to tie up the harness from the electric case since you will not be using it again. You can just follow his instructions for the most part and make sure you have a chilton's manual. Hope this helps.

Paul

Post by **Nobody** » Wed Jan 11, 2006 7:24 pm

I agree....unless you are having problems with the electric shift, there's really no reason to mess with it.

JFAKM · Post by **JFAKM** » Wed Jan 11, 2006 9:49 pm

Sorry for not making it clear. The transfer case is hosed. My mechanic tells me the shift motor seems to have a short he can't isolate. He's telling me to replace the transfer case, so I might as well go manual.

I drive my BII weekly, but it spent a lot of time in the in the airport parking lot last year. A week ago I discovered my BII would not go into 4WD (push button). It probably had not been used in a while... When I hopped in to drive to work on Monday, I tried the 4WD button and presto - it worked.... but, I couldn't leave well-enough alone so I pressed 4WD low. The shift LED's went into flash mode, and that's where the TC hung-up. Nothing I tried would make it come out of low. I searched the web for a solution but never found anything that I'm capable of handling.

I found some used BW1350's on the web along with remanufactured (pricey). I also found a site that sells rebuilding kits. http://www.drivetrain.com/transfercasesparts.html Any recommendations on a rebuilding kit?

Last question: does the TC include the shifter?

OffroadBEAR · Post by **OffroadBEAR** » Thu Jan 12, 2006 7:34 am

The case probably does not include the shifter. You will probably have to get it seperately. I would not suggest trying to rebuild the case yourself, unless you are pretty mechanically inclined. Just go to a yard and get one, the BW1350 is the best part of the driveline of these Bronco IIs, and usually are the last thing to break (the motor will blow or the tranny will blow before the t-case will). Search for one locally, it will be cheaper than anything on the internet since shipping will be hell to pay. It sounds more like the shift cam is in the wrong position or something like that that is hanging the motor up. Its worth a try to pull the shift motor first and check things out before removing the case, its pretty heavy. Anyway, good luck.

Paul

JFAKM · Post by **JFAKM** » Thu Jan 12, 2006 3:59 pm

Well... good news.... the 88BII lives on. I handed my mechanic a printout of "Naked Ducks" transfer case conversion instructions. He cleaned up the contacts, put it back together without replacing anything and voila we have 4WD. He tested out 4WD hi & low range.

So I'm ready for the next big snow.... it may be a while since it was in the 70's here today in Raleigh, NC. This time last year we had a half-inch snow that tied up traffic for 12 hours - that was the last time I recall using 4WD. Oh well, it won't last plus we will pay for it.

Thanks for all your help. I may quit my high-paying IT job and learn to be a mechanic if you guys will keep telling me how to fix stuff.

OffroadBEAR · Post by **OffroadBEAR** » Thu Jan 12, 2006 5:28 pm

Well, its not as fun as it looks. Unless you are a super gearhead, being a mechanic isn't that great. I liked it when I did it for a summer, the work is fun and satisfying, but you really have to like cars to stand it for more than a week. If you get the right employer, it probably pays more than your IT job, but its all day, and it takes you about 2 hours in the shower to clean up after work, and then you want to be a vegetable afterward. You should also gain about 10 pounds of muscle before you start.

Paul