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- Joined
- Aug 6, 2007
- Messages
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- Location
- Macon/Fort Valley, GA
- Vehicle Year
- 1999
- Make / Model
- Ford
- Engine Type
- V8
- Transmission
- Automatic
- 2WD / 4WD
- 4WD
Hello, I know I don't post often but I need a little guidance on this one.
The subject: 1984 Ranger listed in signature. Fresh 2.8L V6 and currently has Holley 390 cfm 4bbl with vacuum secondaries.
The goal: Street truck
Future plans: 3" drop, rear axle swap (93 & up wider axle, not necessary), and possibly slightly shorter tires (depends on space after drop)
Swap requirements: Manual transmission, short throw shifter available
Ok, the TK5 in my 84 is about worn out. To be fair it has held up well, especially since it's now 25 years old, has been through every new driver in my family since it was built, and was the vehicle for choice for the rest learning to drive a manual. With new motor and new direction for the truck it's about time for the TK5 to be retired or rebuilt. Since I can't get the short throw shifter for this trans (and parts are harder to come by) I've decided to swap to a newer Ranger transmission but I don't know which one.
What I know is that the manual trans form any 2.9 or 4.0 will bolt up to my 2.8. I know that gear ratios differed according to the engine. I think that to get the short throw shifter I have to get a M50D. I don't know what gear set would be better for a street truck. Would I be better with 2.9 or 4.0 gearing?
Really I would like to know what the best combo of transmission and rear end gears would be for a 2.8L street truck. That way I could grab both those and the speedometer gear from the same truck as a starting point.
Any help is appreaciated.
The subject: 1984 Ranger listed in signature. Fresh 2.8L V6 and currently has Holley 390 cfm 4bbl with vacuum secondaries.
The goal: Street truck
Future plans: 3" drop, rear axle swap (93 & up wider axle, not necessary), and possibly slightly shorter tires (depends on space after drop)
Swap requirements: Manual transmission, short throw shifter available
Ok, the TK5 in my 84 is about worn out. To be fair it has held up well, especially since it's now 25 years old, has been through every new driver in my family since it was built, and was the vehicle for choice for the rest learning to drive a manual. With new motor and new direction for the truck it's about time for the TK5 to be retired or rebuilt. Since I can't get the short throw shifter for this trans (and parts are harder to come by) I've decided to swap to a newer Ranger transmission but I don't know which one.
What I know is that the manual trans form any 2.9 or 4.0 will bolt up to my 2.8. I know that gear ratios differed according to the engine. I think that to get the short throw shifter I have to get a M50D. I don't know what gear set would be better for a street truck. Would I be better with 2.9 or 4.0 gearing?
Really I would like to know what the best combo of transmission and rear end gears would be for a 2.8L street truck. That way I could grab both those and the speedometer gear from the same truck as a starting point.
Any help is appreaciated.
