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2wd to 4wd


steveoelo

steveoelo

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I currently have a 2wd Mitsubishi FM 132 and am about to put a 4wd Mazda in place of it. Does anyone know the difference in length for the transmission? I have a extended cab short box and the donor is a reg cab long box so I want to know if the drive shaft will work or what length I would need.
 


RonD

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Have a look here: http://www.therangerstation.com/tech_library/index-transmission-transfer-case.shtml

There are some swap articles that may have dimensions.

My feeling would be neither drive shaft would work, you would need drive shaft from an extended cab 4WD
But just guessing.
1997 and older Ranger extended cab 4WD used 2 piece drive shaft, 1998 and up extended cab used 1 piece.
Using a 1 piece is a popular swap, read here: http://www.therangerstation.com/Magazine/June04/offroad.shtml
So if you do need a new drive shaft I would look for 1998 and up model.

The Mazda trans does need to be from a 4.0l engine, it doesn't have a detachable bell housing like the FM132 on your 2.9l
 
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adsm08

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^That^

The 2.9 4x4 M5OD does exist, on paper. They are EXTREMELY rare though, so the 4.0 is your best bet.
 
steveoelo

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Thanks, the donor truck is a 2.9 aswell so everything should bolt up. Are all extended cab rangers the same length drive shaft? Could I get a drive shaft off any extended cab short box ranger?
 

RonD

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Yes, extended cabs had pretty much the same wheel base from 1983 to 2012.
So yes any 4x4 extended cab, any motor size

There is only one length box on extended cabs, no short or long
Regular cabs had standard box or long box

If you go to wrecking yard check drive shaft carefully, they often use fork lifts to unload and to move vehicles around, drive shafts get bent.
 
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AllanD

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Actually if you are using a 4x4 trans the thing to avoid are driveshafts for 1986-87 Supercabs (86 is the first year for the Supercab) because the transmission used in 4x4s prior to a988 are 2" shorter overall.

Also since your truck is a 1990 you basically need a driveshaft for a 1990 or later, because the flange on the rear axle is larger fin diameter and the companion flange adapter required to match it will only be found on late 89 or 90-on supercabs

it is possible for you to switch to the 98-on One-Piece driveshaft without much hassle

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