Proper mk7 4x4. (none of yr namby pamby AWD nonsense)

[Airthies]

So for a while I've been investigating and collecting bits n bobs for a wee plan to make my van more suitable for the tasks I'm asking it to do!
But!.... not sure which section this should go into on the forum?
The members progress reports?
The 4x4 section?
Or the mk6/ mk7 section?
Well I'm putting it in the last bit!

Ok the background... I need to get places to do my work and I've always had 4x4s as work vehicles but I got the chance of a cheap decent van and once I'd had it a while, well, it I got used to it. But for all it's advantages it lacks one major thing! BUT it's not something that can be changed with a few bits of another fancier van from the breakers and a little IDS magickery.
I want a proper 4x4... with LOW RATIO !!!

So I've worked out that the mk7 transit uses the same gearbox as the latest rangers. The mt82.
So that means a ranger gearbox will bolt onto a transit engine

Now some transits are FWD so the front hubs are already designed to take drive shafts the ranger front diff and drop box are on the left of the drive line so won't interfere with the steering column yay, BUT, will interfere with the fuel tank.
The ranger has an electronic ratio selector so don't need to find extra space for another lever!

Ok with some possibly misguided enthusiasm I started to purchase some parts to try and make this happen!

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[Airthies]

So...
I found a breakers who would sell me a gearbox from a 2016 ranger C/w flywheel, front propshaft, diff assy, gearbox mounts, selector cables mode switch and wiring etc. Hopefully most of what I needed. And the rangers use the same diff ratio as certain transits (like mine ) of 3.73


I then found a set of BF Goodrich All Terraine Ko2 tyres which were already on Weller type 8spoke wheels (I've always loved the 8spokes) so the gearbox took a backseat till I got the new boots fitted.

So it's starting to get shitty under the wheels out on site so the main concept is back on the go.

After finding a clutch kit to go with the flywheel I'd got with the box I started looking at the path of the drop box and front propshaft. Hmmmm that's where the fuel tank is so next physical job is to move it backwards ready for box going in.


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[andz327]

So for a while I've been investigating and collecting bits n bobs for a wee plan to make my van more suitable for the tasks I'm asking it to do!
But!.... not sure which section this should go into on the forum?
The members progress reports?
The 4x4 section?
Or the mk6/ mk7 section?
Well I'm putting it in the last bit!

Ok the background... I need to get places to do my work and I've always had 4x4s as work vehicles but I got the chance of a cheap decent van and once I'd had it a while, well, it I got used to it. But for all it's advantages it lacks one major thing! BUT it's not something that can be changed with a few bits of another fancier van from the breakers and a little IDS magickery.
I want a proper 4x4... with LOW RATIO !!!

So I've worked out that the mk7 transit uses the same gearbox as the latest rangers. The mt82.
So that means a ranger gearbox will bolt onto a transit engine

Now some transits are FWD so the front hubs are already designed to take drive shafts the ranger front diff and drop box are on the left of the drive line so won't interfere with the steering column yay, BUT, will interfere with the fuel tank.
The ranger has an electronic ratio selector so don't need to find extra space for another lever!

Ok with some possibly misguided enthusiasm I started to purchase some parts to try and make this happen!

Sent from my anu5 using crapatalk

Cant you use your original hubs, aren't they splined if you remove the dummy shaft??

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[Airthies]

Cant you use your original hubs, aren't they splined if you remove the dummy shaft??

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Yes that's what I was trying to say,

Now some transits are FWD so the front hubs are already designed to take drive shafts

just not very clearly after a long day an a few beerskis

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[andz327]

Cant you use your original hubs, aren't they splined if you remove the dummy shaft??

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Yes that's what I was trying to say,

Now some transits are FWD so the front hubs are already designed to take drive shafts

just not very clearly after a long day an a few beerskis

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Your keen mate attempting that set up, how long do you think it'll
take to complete

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[ned]

Finally the moment we have all been waiting for

Can you not fit a fuel cell in the back of the van? Fuel tank won't be an issue then

Is it done yet

[twin--turbo]

Is there no MK6/7 County?

TT

[Airthies]

Is there no MK6/7 County?

TT

Nope stopped making them after the smilie.

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[Airthies]

Also after finding out more about the ranger system I discovers that the range mode selector switch 2H/4H/4L works on a resistance ladder rather than digital switch signal and the gearbox selector motor position sensor is a variable resistance signal on a 5v input

This was a bit of a scunner as I'd hoped it was digital on/off position switches which would be easily controlled by a relay bank.

So after a we bit of searching and reading I came across the "Adafruit Pro Trinket - 5V"
https://shop.pimoroni.com/products/adaf ... pMQAvD_BwE
So being the over optimistic fool I purchased one and now have to write a program for it so I can select the 4wd ratio I want otherwise the whole projects a bit of a farce
So any programming guru's out there are more than welcome to give me some pointers

Currently I'm focussing on gearbox linkages as I think I need to get it into the van sooner than later as the current box is a bit rattley when free wheeling and starting to jump out of reverse every now n again

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[loot]

Is the ranger box and prop all the same length? Is the gear selector st the back similar? I haven't quite figured it out by the selector you showed is that halfway along? So rear selector for gears then halfway selector for 2/4wd?

How are front and rear wheels in drive synced? Have you got the same ratio differential as the ranger setup, is there another method like some word of clutch etc? The mt85 I believe uses relays to go from 2 to 4 which will no doubt be controlled by the bcm or something, maybe self aware via abs or something but one would assume that the config might be programmed for awd somewhere.

Is the ranger gearbox totally self reliant?

What is used in the ranger to select gears 2/4wd? Is it a gear lever x2 can't you swap that with the transit x1 gear lever? Or steal the switches?

You need to know the resistances anyway so you can emulate them whatever way you decide

Can't think of out else

[ned]

any programming guru's out there are more than welcome to give me some pointers.


Try brains transit he's not far from you

[Airthies]

So Mr loot sir.
Rangers selectors are approximately same position as transit ones but original cables for ranger come in from rear which (from what I can work out) makes the cables work in the opposite direction so my idea of just making a linkage for the ranger cables to transit cables is not as simple as making a push pull sleeve between them.

Will get pics of selector switch and actuator motor for You.
But basicly it's all BCM controlled resistance from switch demands corresponding resistance from gearbox motor sensor. Gearbox motor controlled by switching relays for CW & CCW rotation.

The box is longer cut local firm reckon it's easy to shorten the first shaft and fit a ranger flange(diferent from transit) so that's an easy bit.

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[bigjohnthomas]

Adafruit
This surely is a great day for transits

[Airthies]

Adafruit
This surely is a great day for transits

Yes as if there's not enough fruits driving transits around the place I'm going to try and add another

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[Airthies]

any programming guru's out there are more than welcome to give me some pointers.


Try brains transit he's not far from you

Yes I did have a couple of names in the back of my mind when typing that not all of them on the forum either campervanbeethoven was another and also my cousin but he's not done any Adriano programming before

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