96-01 V8 AWD to 4WD
By Darren Stadstad (stadx2)
Have you ever wondered why Ford put an AWD transfer case in the Explorer with the V8 option? I myself have heard many reasons. Frankly, I don’t really care what they are, I just don’t like the AWD; aside from having no low range, it robs power and reduces gas mileage.
Others like myself had pondered the feasibility of a conversion to a part-time transfer case with low range. Well, I’ve put the pondering to rest, because I’ve done it.
First of all, there are two ways to do this swap. One is to install an Atlas II t-case, which from what I was told can be configured to bolt right up. This is the easiest way, but the most expensive. This t-case will run you around...