2002 Ranger xlt supercab
4.0L, 5-speed manual
4X4

Quick question: Anyone here happen to know whether the transfer case in this model truck uses an intermediate gear or whether it uses a chain?

Thanks for any info you may provide.

Thumper47


P.S. Real curious as to whether anyone is marketing manual lockout hubs for this model, also. ....just in case anyone has heard anything.

 

Well, no responses yet regarding transfer being gear or chain driven, but I have found the definitive answer to my inquiry regarding the availablility of manual hubs for trucks of the type which I own.

Straight from WARN tech support: Ain't gonna happen. Ford is using a type hub which is incompatible with conversion to manual lock-outs, opting instead to use some sort of disconnect within the front differential to alleviate some of the "hopping" and "scooting" sometimes associated with "older" style diff./axle assemblies when making sharp turns in 2WD, etc.
Of course, that does nothing for the extra friction/wear associated with the front axle/diff./driveshaft turning all the time, even when in 2WD. Technologically speaking, seems to me they have taken one step forward and two steps backward.
Just my opinion - thanks for allowing me to vent.
It seems that the longer I own the Ranger, the more I wish that I'd gotten the Tacoma. (sigh....)

Now, anybody wanna break some more bad news to me by tellin' me that the transfer is chain-driven? (But that might go toward explaining some of the excessive "lash" in my drivetrain, which I am beginning to believe is the result of "stacked" loose tolerances) It's been at the dealership all week while they try to correct it (for the third time). I'll let y'all know IF they get it cured, and what they did to cure it. Not totally down on Ford; owned my last one for 26 years. And the like-new Taurus they gave me for a loaner is *very* nice to drive!

Thumper47

 

If you have a Borg-Warner 13-54, it's a chain.

 

Yup it's a chain. Never in my life seen one break...so I don't care.

 

Thank you all for the information!

WXboy, I don't recall ever seeing a transfer case chain actually break, but they certainly DO stretch. Not on a Ford product, but I have seen a chain become so stretched and loose that it actually rubbed a hole through the transfer case housing!
I'm old fashioned, I guess, but I prefer gear drive and lever shift on transfers. So what do I have? Silly electric switch on the dash and a derned chain transfer. What's wrong with this picture....?