Transfer box convert to lever shift?

I'm thinking of using an Explorer transfer box in a custom build off road competition vehicle. I have an opportunity to purchase a T-box here in the UK but like all UK Explorer T-boxes it has the electronic shift between Hi & Low. Would it be possible to convert to a mechanical shift? Or would I have to figure out the basic wiring to make the electrics work? Chances are I would only ever need 4X4 low in my custom build. Could I ignore all the other wires and multi plugs on the T-box for a purely mechanical, no warning light, no ARC, no frills application? The transfer box would be the only Explorer item in the build but it would easily cope with the 150 BHP that I intend putting through it.

TIA Simon H

Reply to
Simon H
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You didn't say what year the box was from. If I understand correctly you only want to get it into 4 Low and keep it there? On the 91-94 all you have to do is remove the servo motor from the transfer case and turn it by hand to the 4L position (with transmission in neutral). But if you are building a custom vehicle I'd think you'd know that so I must be missing something....

Reply to
Ulysses

Thanks for the reply! Most custom builds over here in the UK are Land Rover or Range Rover based as they are by far the most common suitable donor vehicles so using Ex stuff is a break from the norm. I guessed that I could maunually set it into 4X4 low and somehow lock it there, but what concerns me about the Explorer T-box are all the wires and plugs hanging out of it! Am I right in thinking that the servo motor is the only electrical CONTROL for the box? Are any of the other wires and gizmos needed to actually make the box work? Or are they just for warning lights and other 'trivial' stuff?

Cheers Simon H

Reply to
Simon H

I can only speak for the older Explorers (91-94) but some of the wires are for dash indicators. If you were to remove the servo motor and manually move the transfer case to 4L I think it would stay put without having to lock it in place. Of course you would not be able to reattach the servo motor unless you moved it to the 4L position also. Some kind of cover would be needed to protect the transfer case from dirt etc.

I don't know what ALL of the wires are for. There is also a sensor that plugs into the transfer case that is held in place mainly by the servo motor bracket. I'm not sure what that sensor is for but I'm pretty sure it is not to detect the gear positions. Maybe it's for fluid level or pressure. Someone else here probably knows. I had to remove the servo motor when it got stuck so I could engage 4WD and the transfer case indeed engaged but the dash indicators did not come on. I'm pretty sure the indicators are controlled by the servo motor position.

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Reply to
Ulysses

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