The output shaft is different and there is no tail shaft housing on a 4WD. The 4WD tail housing is the transfer case. Don't trust me on that.

 

The differences between a 4x2 and a 4x4 E4OD are as follows.

The output shaft is different, the extension housing (tailshaft housing) is different, and the pan and filter are different. The dipstick is NOT different. Both the 4x2 and 4x4 are filled to the same level. It just takes a bit more fluid to fill a 4x4 due to the larger pan.

 

Disregarding the pan and filter if a fella had a blown trans and found a 2WD transmission it is possible with a tail shaft out of the blown one. I did watch a video of a rebuild from a '93 lightning 2WD and he did remove a tailpiece during teardown. It looked to me as though the mounting faces of the 2WD tailpiece and the 1356 transfer case were the same.

I question all of this because I'm the 3rd owner of a truck originally sold in California, moved to Colorado and then to me in Pennsylvania. It's now in western Missouri

This isn't the first time I've questioned the originality of parts.

 

Read post #32 again. Your question has already been answered.

 

I understand the differences. To rephrase my post, if you had a good tail shaft and transfer case out of an inoperable 4WD E4OD and had a good 2WD E40D could you put the tail shaft and transfer case on the 2WD trans, along with the pan and dipstick and have basically the same thing as the original 4WD transmission.

 

Yes, you can. But why change the dipstick? The 4x2 and 4x4 dipsticks are identical.

 

Not on mine. Everything I've watched shows a dipstick with a white plastic tip where the hashmarks are. Mine is all steel which leads me to think I have the wrong dipstick. Along with that, is my fluid level where it should be. I have yet to find a yard that will sell me just the dipstick.

 

So, as a summary, you have a one of E4OD, made up of parts from a 4wd Explorer, unknown dipstick, swapped out tail shaft, and a very unique case that has a specialized orange seal/seat for the filter.

You've lost me on the point of this thread. I'm not a believer.

 

 

I can say, if/when someone tears my E4OD apart, there will be a long list of things that do not add up. Not so much like the OP but certainly puzzling on what to buy to fix it. Hopefully, that will not happen anytime soon.

 

I don't get the sharp right turn to an explorer but what the heck anything's possible. I simply inquired as to whether it was possible to make a 2WD trans into one that would mate to a transfer case. The answer was yes. A bit off the original post but important to me giving me a down the road possibility should it be needed. The dipstick issue could be a problem related to proper fluid level. That's for another day.

As far as the original post related to the seal seat, I'll find what I saw in mine in another case and post the image. When I do, lookout non-believers. There are unicorns out there. Thanks to all that responded.

Jim

 

You do know that the filter seal sticks into the case and when you pull the filter out, it will be stuck up there. Nobody is saying that does not happen. What EVERYONE is saying is that this seal is not part of the case. Your question about the transmission case was answer, then you rephrased the same question expecting a different answer. Same answer no matter how you phrase it. My 95 E4OD dipstick is all metal.

The more people work on vehicles, the worse it gets. The best condition is when it leaves the factory. We live in a country where anyone can work on their car. I think it's wrong, but that is just me. Just because you have a truck that has been butchered more than most, does not mean it's right and that everyone here is wrong.

If you want to know the right answer. Look up the parts using the VIN and don't ask for opinions.

 

Once again, just because YOU didn't see it doesn't mean something doesn't exist.

 

You simply don't get it. I've seen it, I've seen yours. I've seen others. The seal is NOT part of the case. You will not make me a believer.

Your also missing the point on 2wd to 4wd and vice versa. The tail shaft IS the last part that can come out to be swapped, it is a complete tear down. Believe me!

 

The conversion has been answered by post 36. I'll challenge your belief on the seal when I find a yard that will allow me to flip an E4OD over and get a few images.