2x4 to 4x4 and millage differance?

Rockcrawler · Post by **Rockcrawler** » Sat Jul 01, 2006 11:06 pm

Ok i was wondering how hard it would be to convert my 2x4 89 bronco II to a 4x4. I got a donor ford ranger around 87. Im extreamly mechanical just was wondering if there are any kinks in the road or is it just unbolt a couple things and then put the axle under there. Also was wondering would it affect my millage. I cant imagine it makeing a noticeable differance because the extra wieght is going to be hardly anything and the wind drag is going to be next to nothing sense they only hang down an inch or two lower and i they have hubs at the wheels so there is no extra rolling mass. And i got a dummy case so i already got that resistance so that shouldnt change. Any help would be great!

Phillippi · Post by **Phillippi** » Sat Jul 01, 2006 11:29 pm

I have never done the 2x4 to 4x4 conversion, but I heard that it was unbolt slide under and bolt. I think you are right about milage change. It should do much different. When my b2 was still put together w/ 2.9L I got 22-28 on the highway @ 70mph.

Rockcrawler · Post by **Rockcrawler** » Sat Jul 01, 2006 11:32 pm

thats what i want to hear. My other two BII's never got driven around in stock form. i only got 13mpg out of them

Happy_Jack · Post by **Happy_Jack** » Sun Jul 02, 2006 9:10 am

No it is not a bolt in swap. The drivers side TTB bracket that holds the passangers side beam is different and is held on with large rivets. So the 2wd bracket will have to be removed by cutting or drilling the large rivets from the cross member. You will need a the correct 4wd bracket to replace it or some lift kits come with a replacement bracket that is used. I have read that to do the swap in the Ranger the engine cross member must be replaced. I don't know if the Ranger 4x4 bracket will work or not.

Is the t-case electric? If so the wiring would be different from the Ranger and the BII. The dash was different for the 89 and up than the older models. If it's a std. shift t-case check the size of the tranny cover plates. If they are the same than that part of the swap should just bolt in between the two.

Use your old BII rear driveshaft and your Ranger front driveshft. If the BII and Ranger gear ratios are the same you are good. If they are different the Ranger rear axle will not just bolt in as a replacement for the BII rear axle. Spring pads are at different locations and the pinion is off set to one side on the Ranger to clear fuel tanks and is centered on the BII.