Wrenchman9

This has probably been asked before but here it goes anyway. I have a donor 4wd, 1998. Going to pick up a 2wd in Florida soon and want to convert it to 4wd. No problem with conversion, 40 years in the 'pits', can fix anything on wheels or tracks. The 98 4wd is running down the road every day, cylinder 1 is weak and is noticeable. The unit has 210k miles on it. The trans shifts well and feels solid. There is really no way for me to know how many miles are actually on the trans so I'll assume it's all of the 210k. The 2wd has about 80k on it. My question is, can the 4wd output shaft be put into the 2wd trans WITHOUT a complete disassembly? My guess is no but you never know until you ask or research and I'm not up for researching a simple question. I figured this would be the place to ask and get the right answer ASAP. If no then I'd probably just overhaul the 4wd trans and use the 2wd for hard parts if needed. Thanks in advance for helping.

944.0

I would assume you would need the whole tail shaft housing and everything if they are even changeable. I would just stick the 4wd trans in and call it good.

xj_maniac_newb

No, you have to basically tear the whole transmission apart to do the swap. You'll be better off just using the 4wd tranny as a whole.

Wrenchman9

Thanks, I figured it wouldn't be that easy but you never know for sure until you ask people who know.

Lowrange2

Yeah, the output shaft in a 4wd case is a lot different than the 2wd OP shaft.

5-90

If it's an automatic, no. The AW4 loads entirely from the front. (As does just about every other automatic I've worked on, come to think of it.)

I'm not sure about the AX-4/5/15, but I'm inclined to think it needs to be torn down as well (to access the mainshaft and retainers.) Those transmission use case halves bolted to a centre plate - wholly unlike the "toploaders" and "sideloaders" you may be used to (like the old Fords, Muncies, and Dodge NP setups.)

Getting the AW4 automatic does take some of what the manual calls "special tools" - but they can be readily fashioned in the shop. You'll need a bridge puller (having ISO threaded rod for the side rods, a bar for a bridge, and I used 1/2"-20 rod and a pinned nut for a screw ram) and a tool for large snaprings (they list a big pair of snapring pliers, but I made mine from two 1/4"x12" aluminum round rods - drilled and tapped the ends #4-40 to accept setscrews. Worked like a champ!)