• 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.

1987...ish manual transfer floorplate?


Natedog

New Member
Joined
Aug 7, 2007
Messages
917
Reaction score
5
Points
0
Location
CA
Vehicle Year
87
Make / Model
Ranger
Transmission
Manual
Does anybody have a picture of an 1987...ish manual transfer case floorplate?

I cut the trans shifter hole in my stock AT floorplate and am about to cut the xfer shifter hole and need some guidance.

I'm using and M5R1 trans with 87 manual transfer case and the later model floorplate, shifters, and boots are HUGE and not very well made imo. I don't have the proper transfer shifter mounting bracket for the late model tranny and therefore can't install this shifter to measure properly for the hole.

I may end up using the early model transfer shifter mounting bracket and grinding a half-circle in the front edge of it and then welding on half of a big-azzz flat washer that I have to make the front bracket mounting hole......

Advice please....
 


Natedog

New Member
Joined
Aug 7, 2007
Messages
917
Reaction score
5
Points
0
Location
CA
Vehicle Year
87
Make / Model
Ranger
Transmission
Manual
On further looking....it looks like I need the proper transfer shifter and linkage....too much modding to make it work.
 

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
32,310
Reaction score
17,756
Points
113
Location
SW Iowa
Vehicle Year
1985
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Type
V8
Engine Size
5.0
Transmission
Manual
The shift linkage for a 1st gen with a A4LD should put everything in the right place. The A4LD is the same length as the M5OD.

If I remember I can get you a picture of mine, but I won't see it until next weekend.
 

Natedog

New Member
Joined
Aug 7, 2007
Messages
917
Reaction score
5
Points
0
Location
CA
Vehicle Year
87
Make / Model
Ranger
Transmission
Manual
A picture would be nice. :) The a4ld is the same length....but iirc (and holding my shifter up to the mounting holes) it bolts on in a different place/way???
 

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
32,310
Reaction score
17,756
Points
113
Location
SW Iowa
Vehicle Year
1985
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Type
V8
Engine Size
5.0
Transmission
Manual
A picture would be nice. :) The a4ld is the same length....but iirc (and holding my shifter up to the mounting holes) it bolts on in a different place/way???
How much newer of a truck is that linkage out of?
 

Natedog

New Member
Joined
Aug 7, 2007
Messages
917
Reaction score
5
Points
0
Location
CA
Vehicle Year
87
Make / Model
Ranger
Transmission
Manual
The transfer linkage came off an 83 4x4 shortbed as I recall. EDIT: (with a manual transmission)
 
Last edited:

AllanD

TRS Technical Staff
TRS Technical Advisor
Joined
Jun 1, 2001
Messages
7,897
Reaction score
134
Points
63
Age
62
Location
East-Central Pennsylvania
Vehicle Year
1987... sorta
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Size
'93 4.0
Transmission
Manual
the shifter off an A4LD is not made to clear the corner of the
Mazda transmission case...

the base of the lever on a T-case shifter made to work with
a Mazda is canted outwards so that the side to side lever pivot
clears when bolted to a Mazda.


AD
 

Natedog

New Member
Joined
Aug 7, 2007
Messages
917
Reaction score
5
Points
0
Location
CA
Vehicle Year
87
Make / Model
Ranger
Transmission
Manual
Clarification, the xfer shifter I have came off an 83 4x4 with 5 speed manual (NOT a4ld) and manual xfer.
 

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
32,310
Reaction score
17,756
Points
113
Location
SW Iowa
Vehicle Year
1985
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Type
V8
Engine Size
5.0
Transmission
Manual
Clarification, the xfer shifter I have came off an 83 4x4 with 5 speed manual (NOT a4ld) and manual xfer.
Then the length would be goofy anyway, I guess you need to find one out of a truck that came with a Mazda then.
 

AllanD

TRS Technical Staff
TRS Technical Advisor
Joined
Jun 1, 2001
Messages
7,897
Reaction score
134
Points
63
Age
62
Location
East-Central Pennsylvania
Vehicle Year
1987... sorta
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Size
'93 4.0
Transmission
Manual
There are two things I need to add here the floor plate you were looking for
as a "Template" won't do what you want it to do....

For starters, The '88-up trucks have a longer floor plate, you need to use it as a template to extend the hole under the plate to more or less match.

this is primarily to prevent the transmission from rubbing against the floor,
but the shifter IS much further forward on the Mazda than any other
Ranger transmission.

However the T-case shifter is well back so the two are rather
staggered from one another, thus the really long floor plate on
all '88-up rangers.

BTW, unless you have a body lift you will also need to trim the catalytic
converter heatshield (riveted to the floor) that will also rub agains the
transmission (this makes an absolutely staggering ammount of noise)

AD

AD
 

Natedog

New Member
Joined
Aug 7, 2007
Messages
917
Reaction score
5
Points
0
Location
CA
Vehicle Year
87
Make / Model
Ranger
Transmission
Manual
There are two things I need to add here the floor plate you were looking for
as a "Template" won't do what you want it to do....

For starters, The '88-up trucks have a longer floor plate, you need to use it as a template to extend the hole under the plate to more or less match.

this is primarily to prevent the transmission from rubbing against the floor,
but the shifter IS much further forward on the Mazda than any other
Ranger transmission.

However the T-case shifter is well back so the two are rather
staggered from one another, thus the really long floor plate on
all '88-up rangers.

BTW, unless you have a body lift you will also need to trim the catalytic
converter heatshield (riveted to the floor) that will also rub agains the
transmission (this makes an absolutely staggering ammount of noise)

AD
Got the floorplate for the Mazda (yes several inches longer) and using it for my template, cut out the tranny shifter hole. Need the proper xfer shifter assy to install and measure so that I can cut the xfer shifter hole in the plate. Once my plate is all cut....need the proper xfer shifter assy to bolt on and make my 4x4 operable. :icon_cheers:
 

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


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

TRS Events

25th Anniversary Sponsors

Check Out The TRS Store


Sponsored Ad


Sponsored Ad

Sponsored Ad


Amazon Deals

Top