• 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.

4x4 M50D-R1 (HD) speedo pick up?


ben_2_go

Well-Known Member
Joined
Aug 24, 2007
Messages
322
Reaction score
330
Points
63
Location
Third rock from sun
Vehicle Year
2001
Make / Model
Furd
Engine Type
2.5 (4 Cylinder)
Engine Size
2.5 Scrap
Transmission
Automatic
2WD / 4WD
2WD
Tire Size
235-75-R15
My credo
None at all.
I want to do a manual swap on my '01 Ranger. What years M50D-R1 for a 4x4 have the speedo pick up in the transmission? I was hoping the newer HD version could be set up with a speedo pick up.
 


adsm08

Senior Master Grease Monkey
Supporting Member
Article Contributor
Ford Technician
TRS 20th Anniversary
Joined
Sep 20, 2009
Messages
34,623
Reaction score
3,613
Points
113
Location
Dillsburg PA
Vehicle Year
1987
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Type
4.0 V6
Engine Size
4.0
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Tire Size
31X10.50X15
Years for the M5OD 4x4 to have the pickup in the trans. None.

The 4x4 speedo pickup was in the transfer case. The 2wd had it in the tail stock for a long time (Up to 97 I think) but that piece is replaced by the extension housing on the 4x4 version.
 

mavereq

New Member
U.S. Military - Veteran
Joined
Jan 19, 2017
Messages
207
Reaction score
1
Points
0
Location
Concrete, WA
Vehicle Year
1997
Make / Model
Ford
Transmission
Automatic

ben_2_go

Well-Known Member
Joined
Aug 24, 2007
Messages
322
Reaction score
330
Points
63
Location
Third rock from sun
Vehicle Year
2001
Make / Model
Furd
Engine Type
2.5 (4 Cylinder)
Engine Size
2.5 Scrap
Transmission
Automatic
2WD / 4WD
2WD
Tire Size
235-75-R15
My credo
None at all.
Ahh yeah that's right. I'm looking for a 1354m T case. I know the earlier models have the pick up in the T case. Would it work to drive the speedo sensor in my '01? I may have to look at a 1354e? :sad:
 

adsm08

Senior Master Grease Monkey
Supporting Member
Article Contributor
Ford Technician
TRS 20th Anniversary
Joined
Sep 20, 2009
Messages
34,623
Reaction score
3,613
Points
113
Location
Dillsburg PA
Vehicle Year
1987
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Type
4.0 V6
Engine Size
4.0
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Tire Size
31X10.50X15
Should. Its all the same stuff, manual or e-shift doesn't change that part.
 

ben_2_go

Well-Known Member
Joined
Aug 24, 2007
Messages
322
Reaction score
330
Points
63
Location
Third rock from sun
Vehicle Year
2001
Make / Model
Furd
Engine Type
2.5 (4 Cylinder)
Engine Size
2.5 Scrap
Transmission
Automatic
2WD / 4WD
2WD
Tire Size
235-75-R15
My credo
None at all.

4x4junkie

Forum Staff Member
TRS Forum Moderator
TRS 20th Anniversary
Joined
Aug 19, 2001
Messages
10,749
Reaction score
580
Points
113
Location
So. Calif (SFV)
Vehicle Year
1990
Make / Model
Bronco II
Engine Type
2.9 V6
Engine Size
2.9L V6
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Tire Size
35x12.50R15
Am I missing something? :dunno:

A '01 should not have a speedo port hook-up at all, From '98-on, they used the ABS sensor on the rear axle to determine speed and shift points, etc. So it should not matter whether you swap in a unit with a speedo port or not (other than you'll need to figure out how to plug up the unused hole if you do get one that has it).
 

ben_2_go

Well-Known Member
Joined
Aug 24, 2007
Messages
322
Reaction score
330
Points
63
Location
Third rock from sun
Vehicle Year
2001
Make / Model
Furd
Engine Type
2.5 (4 Cylinder)
Engine Size
2.5 Scrap
Transmission
Automatic
2WD / 4WD
2WD
Tire Size
235-75-R15
My credo
None at all.
Am I missing something? :dunno:

A '01 should not have a speedo port hook-up at all, From '98-on, they used the ABS sensor on the rear axle to determine speed and shift points, etc. So it should not matter whether you swap in a unit with a speedo port or not (other than you'll need to figure out how to plug up the unused hole if you do get one that has it).
That's the thing. I have to get speed reading from somewhere. My rear axle will be changed out to a 9 inch. I was hoping I could pull the sensor out of the axle an plop in the side of the T case. I was thinking some of the early to mid 90's had the speed sensor in the T case. Maybe only some 2wd had it. I may have to figure out a way to use a ring and sensor in the housing between the trans and t case. I really don't want to lose the instrument cluster.
 

4x4junkie

Forum Staff Member
TRS Forum Moderator
TRS 20th Anniversary
Joined
Aug 19, 2001
Messages
10,749
Reaction score
580
Points
113
Location
So. Calif (SFV)
Vehicle Year
1990
Make / Model
Bronco II
Engine Type
2.9 V6
Engine Size
2.9L V6
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Tire Size
35x12.50R15
Ah, ok. You didn't mention the 9" (what's wrong with the Explorer 8.8"?)

I have seen tone rings mounted to the t-case rear output flange (or teeth machined into the edge of the flange itself) and a sensor installed on the rear of the t-case. Maybe something like that could work for you. You'd need it to provide roughly the same # of pulses per foot of forward travel as the ABS sensor provided, but it's been done that way before a number of times.

As for t-cases with ports, anything before '98 should have one, and I've also seen a 2010 2WD that had a (different type) speed sensor mounted on the trans tailhousing. I would assume similar-year 4x4s (probably 2010-2011) also would have it on the t-case, so another option you can look into.
Pre-'98 t-cases have a different front output than yours, so you'll need to change your front driveshaft too if you use an earlier one.

Hope that helps
 
Last edited:

ben_2_go

Well-Known Member
Joined
Aug 24, 2007
Messages
322
Reaction score
330
Points
63
Location
Third rock from sun
Vehicle Year
2001
Make / Model
Furd
Engine Type
2.5 (4 Cylinder)
Engine Size
2.5 Scrap
Transmission
Automatic
2WD / 4WD
2WD
Tire Size
235-75-R15
My credo
None at all.
Ah, ok. You didn't mention the 9" (what's wrong with the Explorer 8.8"?)

I have seen tone rings mounted to the t-case rear output flange (or teeth machined into the edge of the flange itself) and a sensor installed on the rear of the t-case. Maybe something like that could work for you. You'd need it to provide roughly the same # of pulses per foot of forward travel as the ABS sensor provided, but it's been done that way before a number of times.

As for t-cases with ports, anything before '98 should have one, and I've also seen a 2010 2WD that had a (different type) speed sensor mounted on the trans tailhousing. I would assume similar-year 4x4s (probably 2010-2011) also would have it on the t-case, so another option you can look into.
Pre-'98 t-cases have a different front output than yours, so you'll need to change your front driveshaft too if you use an earlier one.

Hope that helps
Thanks. Yes, that helps.

I have been coming across some deals on 9 inch rears and TTB 44's and TTB 50's. I'm hoping to build a full floating 9 inch and front 609 knock off. For my intended use, it's overkill. I'm not a hardcore off roader any more. Some places I go are pretty rough and washed out. I'd rather build it once and be done.
 

Shran

Junk Collector
TRS Forum Moderator
Supporting Member
Article Contributor
V8 Engine Swap
Solid Axle Swap
Joined
Mar 4, 2008
Messages
8,637
Reaction score
4,704
Points
113
Location
Rapid City SD
Engine Type
V8
Engine Size
5.0
I would just keep the 8.8 you have instead of reinventing the wheel... maybe a 31 spline Explorer 8.8? That would be an easy upgrade. You just don't gain much with a 9" and what you're talking about is all custom stuff that you can't buy off the shelf in an emergency.

I wheeled with a guy years ago who had a Bronco II that had a narrowed 9" in the rear, custom length chromoly shafts, etc. Broke the drivers side shaft, we had to weld it on the trail to get him back to camp and then he was not able to wheel the rest of the weekend. Maybe a rare situation but if you use common parts, you can pick up spares at the junkyard any day of the week for cheap. Just sayin. My 8.8 has been beat on hard in the rocks for years and never failed, a 9" swap is the last thing on my mind.
 

Shran

Junk Collector
TRS Forum Moderator
Supporting Member
Article Contributor
V8 Engine Swap
Solid Axle Swap
Joined
Mar 4, 2008
Messages
8,637
Reaction score
4,704
Points
113
Location
Rapid City SD
Engine Type
V8
Engine Size
5.0
Also for what it's worth to plug the speedo hole on a t-case or trans for that matter, you can pull the speedo cable out of the gear assembly, fill the hole full of RTV, and put it back in place. The cable is just clipped in and comes out easily.
 

ben_2_go

Well-Known Member
Joined
Aug 24, 2007
Messages
322
Reaction score
330
Points
63
Location
Third rock from sun
Vehicle Year
2001
Make / Model
Furd
Engine Type
2.5 (4 Cylinder)
Engine Size
2.5 Scrap
Transmission
Automatic
2WD / 4WD
2WD
Tire Size
235-75-R15
My credo
None at all.
I don't have the good ole 8.8. I have a 7.5 rear that's leaking around the tubes where they enter the differential. It's also a lot long in the tooth with 250,000 miles and iffy gears.

The way I plan to build the 9's, I would be using off the shelf JY parts split between the 9-inch 3rd member and the d50 outers. Axle shafts may have to be custom. That's OK tho. I'll have to go back thru my stuff and find the info. There's a way to do it without doing full custom axles. I just can't remember the details. I'll only be sporting a stock VW 1.9TDI. I'm not building a high power hardcore rig. The axles would be more for peace of mind that I wouldn't break something while off on rough unmaintained roads. I doubt I would break a d35 and 8.8. The 9's will be there in the future if I decide to go with a stronger engine. I doubt it tho. I need something akin to fuel mileage.
 

Sponsored Ad


Sponsored Ad

Staff online

Today's birthdays

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


Kirby N.
March 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