4x4 ambo Conversion

[Jicjay]

I’m tossing around converting this to 4x4. Would like to keep the 2wd trans. Only reason is the ambo only has 65k on it. So my options are a replace trans with 4x4 trans and Tcase or divorced Np205 or 4x4 flange on my existing trans.
I'm hoping to go with the 4x4 flange on my 2wd trans. Anyone have any info on that option?

 

[Bikersmurf]

Year?

Transmission?

I believe you can replace the tail cone and convert yours to 4wd

 

[damarshall7]

If you decide to go the married transfer case direction, you will need to replace the tail shaft and the tail shaft housing. This will require a complete teardown of the transmission to replace the tail shaft. Might as well go ahead and rebuild if you are going to do that work or pay someone to do the work. If you do replace the whole transmission, make sure it is from a diesel donor. Gas and diesel transmissions will have different bolt patterns. you will also need a new driveshaft and need to modify the donor front driveshaft. All of this info is 4r100 specific, Im unsure about other transmission options.

 

[Jicjay]

Year?

Transmission?

I believe you can replace the tail cone and convert yours to 4wd

If you decide to go the married transfer case direction, you will need to replace the tail shaft and the tail shaft housing. This will require a complete teardown of the transmission to replace the tail shaft. Might as well go ahead and rebuild if you are going to do that work or pay someone to do the work. If you do replace the whole transmission, make sure it is from a diesel donor. Gas and diesel transmissions will have different bolt patterns. you will also need a new driveshaft and need to modify the donor front driveshaft. All of this info is 4r100 specific, Im unsure about other transmission options.

96 7.3 with E4OD

 

[ujoint]

Divorced cases are generally a bad idea, especially on a 138" wheelbase rig. You'll need an additional x-member for the case (a BEEFY one), a modified transmission x-member tp clear the front shaft and you'll never get it vibration free. Much better to have the transmission upgraded and updated for reliability. Even though it has low mileage it would use a rebuild at 25 years old.

 

[FDM2012]

Divorced cases are generally a bad idea, especially on a 138" wheelbase rig. You'll need an additional x-member for the case (a BEEFY one), a modified transmission x-member tp clear the front shaft and you'll never get it vibration free. Much better to have the transmission upgraded and updated for reliability. Even though it has low mileage it would use a rebuild at 25 years old.

 

[billiebob]

2wd gives a much better ride and there are 2wd upgrades to add off road capability.

there is a guy on here with his 2wd ambo build... and why he did a 2wd lift
his main overlanding is on the Baja Pennisula

love yer interior

 

[vintageracer]

You can make the 2WD E4OD transmission work with a married 4WD transfer case.

The problem is that you have to take the 2WD E4OD transmission completely apart to change the output shaft to make it work with the 4WD tail housing. Since you gotta take the 2WD E4OD completely apart to change the output shaft to the 4WD output shaft you might as well rebuild the 2WD E4OD transmission while you are at it OR find a correct 4WD EOD transmission that needs rebuilt, rebuild it and sell your good 2WD E4OD transmission to somebody who needs it.

Money wise your about the same either way.

 

[ujoint]

2wd gives a much better ride and there are 2wd upgrades to add off road capability.

there is a guy on here with his 2wd ambo build... and why he did a 2wd lift
his main overlanding is on the Baja Pennisula

2wd only gets you so far with confidence, we have a few 2wd lifted vans on the books going 4wd soon.

 

[billiebob]

2wd only gets you so far with confidence, we have a few 2wd lifted vans on the books going 4wd soon.

yep, 4WD can make one cocky and once stuck with 4WD you are truly stuck.

I used to travel winter roads in the NWT, I'd go with 2WD till I got stuck, then shift to 4WD and back up.
When you are truly remote 2WD can be a life saver.

 

[Pntyrmvr]

+1 on 2wd til stuck then 4wd out

 

[Bikersmurf]

The only flaw I see with that plan is that if you get truly stuck in 2WD then you’ll need a lot more than 4WD to get you out. Whereas if you used 4WD in the first place and respected your rigs limits, you’d save yourself a lot of headaches.

Alternatively, don’t wait till you’re actually stuck to engage the front diff. Engage the front axle when you’re exceedingly what 2WD can comfortably handle… before your diff is sunk into the mud/sand and you belly is dragging on the ground.