Ford 4.0 bellhousing options?

Rockabilly66 · Sep 14, 2016

Hi
I have a Ford ranger 1996 4.0 v6.
I bought a complete front end with trans and transfer off a cherokee. Dana 30, ax15 with np231.
I have to put the ax15 and I dont know wich bellhousing to use. My stock trans is mo5d all one piece.
Any sugestión?

RonD · Sep 14, 2016

You will need to build a custom adapter plate or use a bell housing from a Ford 2.8l or 2.9l engine, that had TK5 or FM-series manual trans(detachable bell housing), but still need to adapt that to the AX15
These manual transmissions with detachable bell housing were used in Rangers from 1983 to 1992, but 4.0l never used them.

You would need to check input shaft length for either method and flywheel/input shaft pilot bearing size if available.

2.8l, 2.9l, and 4.0l used the same Ford Taunus bell housing bolt pattern, it doesn't match any other non-Ford engine, and no one makes an adapter for this match up.

You also might look for M5OD-R1 to NP231 adapter, yes, not use the AX15 but M5OD is a good trans behind the 4.0l

Josh P · Sep 14, 2016

Could be done with 2 adapters. A 4.0l to sbf adapter and Novak sells the other adapter to mate the AX15 to the sbf bellhousing.

Rockabilly66 · Sep 15, 2016

RonD said:
You will need to build a custom adapter plate or use a bell housing from a Ford 2.8l or 2.9l engine, that had TK5 or FM-series manual trans(detachable bell housing), but still need to adapt that to the AX15
These manual transmissions with detachable bell housing were used in Rangers from 1983 to 1992, but 4.0l never used them.

You would need to check input shaft length for either method and flywheel/input shaft pilot bearing size if available.

2.8l, 2.9l, and 4.0l used the same Ford Taunus bell housing bolt pattern, it doesn't match any other non-Ford engine, and no one makes an adapter for this match up.

You also might look for M5OD-R1 to NP231 adapter, yes, not use the AX15 but M5OD is a good trans behind the 4.0l

Thanks
So any 2.3 OHC bellhousing is ok? I know I will have to use an adapter plate.

RonD · Sep 15, 2016

Rockabilly66 said:
Thanks
So any 2.3 OHC bellhousing is ok? I know I will have to use an adapter plate.

????

Ford 2.8l or 2.9l are the only detachable bell housings that fit a Ford 4.0l
2.3l won't match

Rockabilly66 · Sep 15, 2016

RonD said:
????

Ford 2.8l or 2.9l are the only detachable bell housings that fit a Ford 4.0l
2.3l won't match

Ook thanks. Only v6 I understood

RonD · Sep 15, 2016

Well no, 3.0l Vulcan V6 engine won't work either, just Ford 2.8l and 2.9l shared Taunus bell housing bolt pattern with 4.0l

dddettmann1 · Nov 18, 2017

Transmission swap

I have a 2.9l so if I use the transmission from that and put it into a 4.0l it should work fine? Both are 4wd but the 4.0 was automatic. Any tips?

RonD · Nov 19, 2017

dddettmann1 said:
I have a 2.9l so if I use the transmission from that and put it into a 4.0l it should work fine? Both are 4wd but the 4.0 was automatic. Any tips?

Welcome to TRS

2.9l 4WD trans won't be made for the 4.0l's higher torque
Probably a Mitsubishi FM145 or 146 5-speed

But it will bolt to 4.0l engine and transfer case

M5OD-R1(M5R1) 4WD manual trans from a 4.0l would be better transmission to use

Good page to bookmark here: http://www.therangerstation.com/tech_library/index.shtml

Alot of Ranger info and how-tos

Ford 4.0 bellhousing options?

Rockabilly66

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