Transmission interchange

[vbrad511]

I've got a '97 Ranger, 4.0, 5 speed, 4wd, with roughly 320k on it. I have a line on a spare transmission, but out of an '04, 4.0, 4wd. Will it work for me? Is it any sort of upgrade?

 

[Shran]

It'll work for you. The internals are not quite the same but if you're just swapping one out with another one then that's a moot point. It's not really an upgrade (although it does have HD in the part number.)

IIRC if you have a manual t-case the newer transmissions aren't drilled & tapped for the shifter linkage.

 

[vbrad511]

It'll work for you. The internals are not quite the same but if you're just swapping one out with another one then that's a moot point. It's not really an upgrade (although it does have HD in the part number.)

IIRC if you have a manual t-case the newer transmissions aren't drilled & tapped for the shifter linkage.

Will the gear ratios be the same? Will the speedometer be accurate?

 

[sgtsandman]

The '04 uses a sensor in the differential for speed signal. I think yours gets it's speed signal from the transmission. So, that may be a problem. You would need to check if the speed pick up is in the transmission or the transfer case. If in the transfer case, you should be good. If not, the '04 transmission may have the hole needed plugged or blocked off. I've never had a Ranger that old. So I don't know what to look for and where to look for it.

The gear ratios between the two transmissions are the same according to this chart: https://www.therangerstation.com/tech/ford-ranger-manual-transmissions/#gsc.tab=0

 

[Shran]

The '04 uses a sensor in the differential for speed signal. I think yours gets it's speed signal from the transmission. So, that may be a problem. You would need to check if the speed pick up is in the transmission or the transfer case. If in the transfer case, you should be good. If not, the '04 transmission may have the hole needed plugged or blocked off. I've never had a Ranger that old. So I don't know what to look for and where to look for it.

The gear ratios between the two transmissions are the same according to this chart: https://www.therangerstation.com/tech/ford-ranger-manual-transmissions/#gsc.tab=0

Pretty sure it's in the transfer case regardless what year it is if it's a 4x4. 2wd would be a problem.

 

[sgtsandman]

Pretty sure it's in the transfer case regardless what year it is if it's a 4x4. 2wd would be a problem.

1998 on it moved to the rear axle, either in the differential or at the end of the axle with the separate abs sensors due to traction and stability control being added in 2010.

But I suspect you are correct on the earlier years, but I wasn't sure since some (probably RWD) have it in the transmission or the tail housing.