Question about the MD05-R1HD

bmob · Mar 16, 2011

My transmission has been a PITA for the past 7 months, and instead of paying $40 for complete fluid change every month or so (manual tranny gears worn, leaks, and grinds when shifting) im going to ride it until it shreds into a million little pieces on the inside. At that point I want to upgrade to a MD05-R1HD tranny. I understand that It will bolt in fine and that my electric trans case should bolt up too, but my question lies more on what vehicle I can take the tranny from. It is hard to get a manual around here and its also hard to get parts from an 01+ ranger (at least for a reasonable price). I know the 1997-2002 explorer 4.0 had the HD, but for both the ranger and the explorer does the tranny have to be 4x4 tranny or would the 4x2 work too? (I heard about them being exactly the same). I can find 4x2s all over but having lots of trouble finding a 4x4 one.

AllanD · Mar 16, 2011

No, the output shaft is different and changing that requires complete disassembly.

you need to find a 4x4.

and if you want an "HD" they simply didn't exsist until 2001.

AD

AgPete139 · Mar 16, 2011

So, clarification:

Mazda M50D-R1 M
1988 & Up 4-Cylinder Rangers
1988-1992 2.9L 2WD Rangers
1991-2000 4.0L Ranger
1991 - Up 3.0L Ranger
5-Speed
3.40 / 2.05 / 1.31 / 1.00 / 0.79 (4.0L Engines)
3.72 / 2.20 / 1.50 / 1.00 / 0.79 (All Other Engines)

Mazda M50D-R1HD J
2001 & Up 4.0L SOHC Ranger
1997-2001 Up 4.0L SOHC Explorer
5-Speed 3.40 / 2.05 / 1.31 / 1.00 / 0.79

http://www.therangerstation.com/tech_library/ManualTransmission.html

Nathan wrote an article in the Tech Library:

http://www.therangerstation.com/Magazine/January2011/M5OD-R1HD_swap.htm

Pete

AgPete139 · Mar 16, 2011

AllanD said:
No, the output shaft is different and changing that requires complete disassembly.

you need to find a 4x4.

and if you want an "HD" they simply didn't exsist until 2001.

AD

IIRC, they existed in the Explorers from 1997 - 2002. The Rangers finally had them in 2001.

bmob · Mar 16, 2011

I read the tech article but there still seemed to be confusion under the comments and with the part of the major differences between the HD and the normal (as far as how the internals differ in thickness and strength).

Explorers are abundant around here and I can find a 4x4 one from 97-02 alot easier than a 4x4 ranger from 01 and up.

Now hopefully I can bargain with the junk yard to trade me a tranny and shifter for my 351w ported heads and cam :icon_thumby:

AgPete139 · Mar 17, 2011

bmob said:
I read the tech article but there still seemed to be confusion under the comments and with the part of the major differences between the HD and the normal (as far as how the internals differ in thickness and strength).

Explorers are abundant around here and I can find a 4x4 one from 97-02 alot easier than a 4x4 ranger from 01 and up.

Now hopefully I can bargain with the junk yard to trade me a tranny and shifter for my 351w ported heads and cam

I couldn't tell ya what the R1 & HD differences are. Also, ported heads are nice, but not really high in demand, ya know? And if I was rebuilding an engine, I would not want a used cam in it. Some mechanics don't care either way though, but a performance cam is not preferred.

Let us know how your tranny swap goes...

bmob · Mar 17, 2011

I will take a video of it once I get the transmission from the JY and post it and link it to this thread :headbang:

LearjetMinako · Mar 17, 2011

AllanD said:
No, the output shaft is different and changing that requires complete disassembly.

you need to find a 4x4.

and if you want an "HD" they simply didn't exsist until 2001.

AD

Wait, what? The HD didn't exist for earlier model Rangers. I thought the HD M50D trannies did exist in eariler models, just the HD models had closer gears ratios. I know my dad's old 91 Ranger 4x4 2.9 had closer gear ratios than my 96 Ranger 4x2 2.3. And the tranny are the Mazda M5OD-R1 types (just his was a 4x4 and mines a 4x2 version). So now my true question is, what makes the difference for a tranny to be a HD version?

wahlstrom1 · Mar 17, 2011

All 4.0L use a closer ratio gearset as compared to the 2.3/2.5/3.0 engines. It doesn't matter whether you're talking about 4.0L OHV or 4.0L SOHC, R1 or R1HD.

3.40 / 2.05 / 1.31 / 1.00 / 0.79 (4.0L Engines)
3.72 / 2.20 / 1.50 / 1.00 / 0.79 (All Other Engines)

From Bob, rwenzing:

In 2001, an upgraded Mazda trans called the M5OD-R1HD was introduced for use only with the 4.0L SOHC. The shop manual shows that the synchronizer blocking rings for first and second are different. The first gear ring is larger in OD and ID and the second gear ring is of a different construction. It stands to reason that the shift fork, synchronizer sleeves and the cones on the matching gears would be different to match the uprated rings.

bmob · Mar 17, 2011

the one junkyard I went to wanted $400 for a 99 explorer sohc tranny with 103k on it :annoyed:

I have another JY i will check that should be able to get me one for half that price if not less then half

shane96ranger · Mar 17, 2011

AgPete139 said:
Mazda M50D-R1 M
1988 & Up 4-Cylinder Rangers
1988-1992 2.9L 2WD Rangers
1991-2000 4.0L Ranger
1991 - Up 3.0L Ranger
5-Speed
3.40 / 2.05 / 1.31 / 1.00 / 0.79 (4.0L Engines)
3.72 / 2.20 / 1.50 / 1.00 / 0.79 (All Other Engines)

I am 99% sure my friends 1989 4X4 with a 2.9 has one too.

Question about the MD05-R1HD

bmob

Active Member

AllanD

TRS Technical Staff

AgPete139

09/2014 OTOTM Winner

AgPete139

09/2014 OTOTM Winner

bmob

Active Member

AgPete139

09/2014 OTOTM Winner

bmob

Active Member

LearjetMinako

Well-Known Member

wahlstrom1

J-man HD Mech

bmob

Active Member

shane96ranger

Well-Known Member

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