• Welcome Visitor! Please take a few seconds and Register for our forum. Even if you don't want to post, you can still 'Like' and react to posts.

auto to 5 speed swap


PetesPonies

Active Member
Joined
Jan 1, 2008
Messages
1,166
Reaction score
25
Points
38
Location
east coast
Vehicle Year
1983
Make / Model
Ranger
Engine Size
2.3l
Transmission
Manual
I just picked up a sweet little '84 Bronco II. 54K original miles, sweet body and decent interior. It is an automatic trans. I would like to switch to a 5 speed. I have a parts truck Ranger to get the clutch setup, but it is a 2.3 and a 2wd. So . . what trans do I need to match up to my transfer case? I am a Mustang Restorer, this is just not in my daily realm. Help me out . . what will work and what else might be involved?
 


MAKG

New Member
Joined
Aug 7, 2007
Messages
4,634
Reaction score
19
Points
0
Location
California central coast
Vehicle Year
1991
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Size
4.0L
Transmission
Manual
Well, swapping in a TK5 or FM145 would be the least painful retrofit. But they suck. Stupid design error using ball bearings in the input for thrust loads.

4WD M5ODs are much better, but require moving the transmission mount, shortening the rear driveshaft and lengthening the front.

Your original transfer case will probably work fine, but the front driveshaft won't unless you put in a POS transmission.

The sticky at the top has quite a lot of transferable information, even if you aren't considering either of the transmissions at hand.
 

PetesPonies

Active Member
Joined
Jan 1, 2008
Messages
1,166
Reaction score
25
Points
38
Location
east coast
Vehicle Year
1983
Make / Model
Ranger
Engine Size
2.3l
Transmission
Manual
I'm not an offroader . . so do the stock transmissions hold up for street use and moderate 4x4 if properly maintained?
 
mjonesjr

mjonesjr

I dance with the Devil...
Firefighter
Forum Staff - Retired
Joined
Feb 6, 2004
Messages
4,967
Reaction score
13
Points
0
Age
39
Location
Salem, IN
Transmission
Automatic
They don't hold up for any amount of time even on the road.

I recommend the M50D from a 4.0 also. There isn't harder work to do the other work than there is to do the auto to manual swap.
 

MAKG

New Member
Joined
Aug 7, 2007
Messages
4,634
Reaction score
19
Points
0
Location
California central coast
Vehicle Year
1991
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Size
4.0L
Transmission
Manual
A design error is a design error.

It's not that they don't hold up to offroading -- the transmission really doesn't care like the suspension and driveshafts do. It's that they don't hold up to use.

If you HAVE one and it works, leave it be. If you DON'T have one, get a decent one instead. Remember, EVERY FM145 is at least 21 years old.
 
mjonesjr

mjonesjr

I dance with the Devil...
Firefighter
Forum Staff - Retired
Joined
Feb 6, 2004
Messages
4,967
Reaction score
13
Points
0
Age
39
Location
Salem, IN
Transmission
Automatic
Also the M50D's are easier to find in decent shape than a FM-145.
 

PetesPonies

Active Member
Joined
Jan 1, 2008
Messages
1,166
Reaction score
25
Points
38
Location
east coast
Vehicle Year
1983
Make / Model
Ranger
Engine Size
2.3l
Transmission
Manual
what 5 speed trans is used behind a 2.9 '90 Ranger 4X4 ??
 
mjonesjr

mjonesjr

I dance with the Devil...
Firefighter
Forum Staff - Retired
Joined
Feb 6, 2004
Messages
4,967
Reaction score
13
Points
0
Age
39
Location
Salem, IN
Transmission
Automatic
either a FM-146 or a M50D.
 

04 EDGE

Banned
--- Banned ---
Joined
Nov 23, 2008
Messages
213
Reaction score
1
Points
0
Location
Westland Mi
Vehicle Year
2004
Make / Model
Ranger
Engine Size
3.0
Transmission
Automatic
if it were mine i would leave the C5 in it!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Sponsored Ad


Sponsored Ad

Staff online

Members online

Total: 501 (members: 14, guests: 487)

Member & Vendor Upgrades

For a small yearly donation, you can support this forum and receive a 'Supporting Member' banner, or become a 'Supporting Vendor' and promote your products here. Click the banner to find out how.

Latest posts

Truck of The Month


Shran
April Truck of The Month

Recently Featured

Want to see your truck here? Share your photos and details in the forum.

Follow TRS On Instagram

Latest Album Photos

Hunters
20240409_190831.jpg
20240409_190818.jpg
20240409_180824.jpg
20240409_182648.jpg
20240409_181010.jpg
20240408_175026.jpg
99 Ranger
20200706_161414.jpg
20240207_155117.jpg
20240207_155111.jpg
20240207_154537 - Copy.jpg

TRS Events

25th Anniversary Sponsors

Check Out The TRS Store


Sponsored Ad


Sponsored Ad

Sponsored Ad


Amazon Deals

Top