2.3l auto to manual tranny swap

[rcrfc]

Can anyone shed some insight into an auto to manual tranny swap for a 1994 2.3l 4x2?
Anyone around have experience with the swap willing to share about the experience and answer questions?
Thanks

 

[RonD]

Welcome to TRS

2WD or 4x4?

1985 to 1994 Rangers used the older EEC-IV 60-wire computer, for fuel injection and automatic transmission control
Your 1994 would have the A4LD automatic
And you would want to use an M5OD-R1(M5R1) manual transmission for this swap

The M5R1 has an integrated bellhousing so each M5R1 was made for a specific engine, not interchangeable
So an M5R1 from a 2.9l engine would not fit on a 2.3l or 4.0l engine

You would need to find an M5R1 from a 1989-1997 2.3l Ranger, 2WD if thats what you have, 4x4s are different
Can't use the 1998-2001 2.5l M5R1 because it wouldn't have speedometer cable hook up
2001-2011 2.3l was a different engine so wouldn't fit on your 1994 2.3l

Besides the transmission you need the flywheel and clutch, the clutch/brake pedals and clutch master, clutch neutral switch, and shifter floor plate with boot
Need the rear drive shaft for manual trans to match your length, regular cab or extended, or long bed
Need manual trans starter motor
Manual trans steering column is optional, but would be nice to get rid of the auto shifter

The automatic computer will turn on the CEL(check engine light) if the A4LD is not hooked up, but you can still drive it
Getting a 1994 manual trans 2.3l computer would be last step, its optional but needed, since CEL is on full time you wouldn't know if computer set another code not transmission related, unless you checked the codes every few days

Its not a simple swap and will take a bit to round up the parts unless you can find a 1993/94 2.3l 2WD manual trans Ranger to get all the parts from at once

 

[rcrfc]

4x2, sorry.

 

[NakedDucks]

RonD is “generally” right, but also “technically” wrong in a few areas.....

Follow his basic ideas and you’ll be in business.

The bell housing is the same through the ENTIRE run of the 2.3. The head was the major difference. The block didn’t change.

BTW, where are you located?

 

[RonD]

RonD is “generally” right, but also “technically” wrong in a few areas.....

Follow his basic ideas and you’ll be in business.

The bell housing is the same through the ENTIRE run of the 2.3. The head was the major difference. The block didn’t change.

BTW, where are you located?

You are right that I am wrong plenty of times, lol, but..........................not in this case

2.3l Duratec engine(2001-2011 Rangers) doesn't have same bellhousing bolt pattern as the 2.3l Limas, 1983-1997

2.3l Lima was used from 1974 to 1997, then as the 2.5l Lima from 1998-2001, and bellhousing pattern was the same on all years, you are correct there, and thats what I said here

You would need to find an M5R1 from a 1989-1997 2.3l Ranger, 2WD if thats what you have, 4x4s are different
Can't use the 1998-2001 2.5l M5R1 because it wouldn't have speedometer cable hook up
2001-2011 2.3l was a different engine so trans wouldn't fit on your 1994 2.3l

 

[Shran]

God won this round

 

[NakedDucks]

RonD.

You are correct. I forgot they put the Duratec in the rangers.

I, however, have never PERSONALLY seen one with a manual trans (not saying they don’t exist...... again, just haven’t seen one myself) which is most likely why I didn’t remember that motor.

 

[pjtoledo]

4 cylinder Duratecs with manual transmissions exist. 2wd only in Rangers.

 

[Shran]

They do, there are two of them in one of the junkyards here in town. '05/06 vintage.

Seems like automatics were pretty common though.

 

[RonD]

Yes, at some point on most vehicles Manuals became the pay extra "option", no longer the "standard" transmission

In the old days there was standard trans or automatic, now its standard trans or manual, lol

 

[NakedDucks]

I never said Duratec manuals don’t exist, I said I haven’t PERSONALY seen one.

But I also haven’t personally seen 5 Million dollars....