• 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.

short shifter fx4?


Joined
Nov 3, 2023
Messages
19
Reaction score
11
Points
3
Location
Alberta, Canada
Vehicle Year
1991
Make / Model
Ford Ranger
Engine Type
4.0 V6
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Tire Size
235/75R15
i remember reading some time back that the old fx4 level 2's had a short shifter installed for the manuals. can anyone confirm this? would love to throw one into my 91 (i am aware that some light part modding has to be done to retro fit this) but just so the shifts werent so long? i've got the 4.0 and would love to have it feel a little quicker if i could shift it faster. thanks! (and also if this is the case and anyone would sell theirs please do not hesitate to let me know)
 


SenorNoob

Well-Known Member
TRS Event Participant
Joined
Oct 24, 2012
Messages
2,438
Reaction score
597
Points
113
Location
Middle Tennessee
Vehicle Year
1988
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Type
4.0 V6
Engine Size
4.0
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Total Lift
1.5" Front + 4" Rear
Tire Size
245-70-R16
This is the first time I've ever heard that... The only special about FX4 level 2 shifters I have heard of is a chrome handled transfer case shifter.
 
Joined
Nov 3, 2023
Messages
19
Reaction score
11
Points
3
Location
Alberta, Canada
Vehicle Year
1991
Make / Model
Ford Ranger
Engine Type
4.0 V6
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Tire Size
235/75R15
heard about that too, maybe it was someone selling one? not too sure. will try for some more research and let you know if i find anything
 

SenorNoob

Well-Known Member
TRS Event Participant
Joined
Oct 24, 2012
Messages
2,438
Reaction score
597
Points
113
Location
Middle Tennessee
Vehicle Year
1988
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Type
4.0 V6
Engine Size
4.0
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Total Lift
1.5" Front + 4" Rear
Tire Size
245-70-R16

rusty ol ranger

2.9 Mafia-Don
Supporting Member
Joined
Sep 22, 2007
Messages
12,554
Reaction score
7,672
Points
113
Location
Michigan
Vehicle Year
1987
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Type
2.9 V6
Engine Size
177 CID
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
2WD
My credo
A legend to the old man, a hero to the child...
heard about that too, maybe it was someone selling one? not too sure. will try for some more research and let you know if i find anything
I dont think ford ever used a short throw shifter in a ranger.
 

alwaysFlOoReD

Forum Staff Member
TRS Forum Moderator
TRS Banner 2012-2015
TRS 20th Anniversary
Joined
Apr 13, 2009
Messages
13,981
Reaction score
5,135
Points
113
Location
Calgary, Canada
Vehicle Year
'91, '80, '06
Make / Model
Ford, GMC,Dodge
Engine Size
4.0,4.0,5.7
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
4WD
i remember reading some time back that the old fx4 level 2's had a short shifter installed for the manuals. can anyone confirm this? would love to throw one into my 91 (i am aware that some light part modding has to be done to retro fit this) but just so the shifts werent so long? i've got the 4.0 and would love to have it feel a little quicker if i could shift it faster. thanks! (and also if this is the case and anyone would sell theirs please do not hesitate to let me know)
Pm me. I have a Hurst short throw but without the arm.
I'll see if I can find it later today for pics. I'm in Airdrie.
 

superj

Well-Known Member
U.S. Military - Veteran
Joined
Oct 1, 2021
Messages
3,263
Reaction score
2,705
Points
113
Location
corpus christi, texas
Vehicle Year
2004
Make / Model
ranger edge
Engine Type
3.0 V6
Engine Size
183 ci of tire shredding power
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
2WD
Total Lift
none
Total Drop
none
Tire Size
235s
My credo
drives a stick shift ranger
I was just looking for an fx4 shifter all last week. Man, thoae are hard to come by. The hurst and core shifter are short shifters but the fx4 is not, it just changes where the ball sits and lets you have larger cups in the cup holder.

You might want to verify the way the stub connects on your trans before actually buying anything. I think the older truck yransmissions had the bolt going sideways and the fx4/hurst goes parallel to the driveline, or the other way around. So you have to make sure the shifter you are getting matches.

If anyone else has an fx4 or some other shifter, i would love to get it from you.
 

gw33gp

Well-Known Member
U.S. Military - Veteran
TRS Banner 2010-2011
Ham Radio Operator
Joined
Aug 7, 2007
Messages
1,739
Reaction score
540
Points
113
Location
Costa Mesa, CA
Vehicle Year
2002
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Type
4.0 V6
Engine Size
4.0 SOHC
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Tire Size
33"
My FX4 has something different about the shifter. I don't know if any other Ranger has the same thing, and I don't know if it can be called a short shifter.

My brother installed new shifter bushings with a kit from Zumbrota. Something about the length of the shifter that is inside the transmission was off and he had to use some parts from my original transmission to get it to work right. Basically, he just used the new shifter bushings and threw the rest of the kit away.

Sorry I don't know the details, but I don't think you can just use a FX4 L2 shifter installed in just any Ranger transmission to get a short shifter.

However, I did order a remanufactured transmission that was not specifically for a FX4 L2 and used my FX4 shifter in it and it worked fine. I got that remanufactured transmission replaced under warranty and the replacement they sent me was for an earlier 4.0 overhead valve pushrod engine. It had a slightly longer throw with my FX4 shifter. I was not happy with it for several reasons, and they exchanged it for the correct transmission. The shifter throw was back to normal and has been working fine for approaching 2 yrs.
 

alwaysFlOoReD

Forum Staff Member
TRS Forum Moderator
TRS Banner 2012-2015
TRS 20th Anniversary
Joined
Apr 13, 2009
Messages
13,981
Reaction score
5,135
Points
113
Location
Calgary, Canada
Vehicle Year
'91, '80, '06
Make / Model
Ford, GMC,Dodge
Engine Size
4.0,4.0,5.7
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Pm me. I have a Hurst short throw but without the arm.
I'll see if I can find it later today for pics. I'm in Airdrie.
Took a look. Didn't see it. I'll keep an eye out tho.
 

superj

Well-Known Member
U.S. Military - Veteran
Joined
Oct 1, 2021
Messages
3,263
Reaction score
2,705
Points
113
Location
corpus christi, texas
Vehicle Year
2004
Make / Model
ranger edge
Engine Type
3.0 V6
Engine Size
183 ci of tire shredding power
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
2WD
Total Lift
none
Total Drop
none
Tire Size
235s
My credo
drives a stick shift ranger
Turns out, in m boredom today, i found three junkyards with fx4 trucks being parted. One says its a manual so i will hopefully find out tomorrow
 
Last edited:

85_Ranger4x4

Forum Staff Member
TRS Event Staff
TRS Forum Moderator
Article Contributor
V8 Engine Swap
OTOTM Winner
TRS Banner 2010-2011
TRS 20th Anniversary
VAGABOND
TRS Event Participant
Joined
Aug 7, 2007
Messages
32,388
Reaction score
17,972
Points
113
Location
SW Iowa
Vehicle Year
1985
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Type
V8
Engine Size
5.0
Transmission
Manual
You might want to verify the way the stub connects on your trans before actually buying anything. I think the older truck yransmissions had the bolt going sideways and the fx4/hurst goes parallel to the driveline, or the other way around. So you have to make sure the shifter you are getting matches.
It changed when they came out with the M5ODR1HD.

Not sure what all changed when they did that, I ground a new notch in the stub shaft for my R2 and put a FX4 lever on it.



 

Sponsored Ad


Sponsored Ad

Staff online

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.

Truck of The Month


Mudtruggy
May Truck of The Month

Recently Featured

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

Follow TRS On Instagram

TRS Events

25th Anniversary Sponsors

Check Out The TRS Store


Sponsored Ad


Sponsored Ad

Sponsored Ad


Amazon Deals

Top