1990 Bronco II manual trans/shifter problem

[clcorley]

My son's B2 was stuck in gear and then slipping in and out and then not going into any gear at all. We have taken the shifter out and found a plastic "thimble looking" part that the round ball end of the shifter goes into. The piece is broken all around the top and sides. Was told by a mechanic that could mess up the shifting. No one knows about this piece anywhere. We can't find the part or any info on it. Been to all transmission shops in my area. I think he has the Mitsubishi trans because it does have the square bottom plate, but no sticker or markings/numbers to check for sure. Can anyone help. The truck is undriveable until we get that tiny little plastic "cap"!

 

[ab_slack]

A 1990 BII would most likely have come with a Mitsubishi FM146 or Mazda M5OD.

This link shows pics of various transmissions and should help you identify with.

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

The door sticker should have a code for the trans (sorry I don't have link handy on how to decode), but even then many have swapped trans thru the years. The M5OD is considered the most rugged and usually put in when someone swaps in a 4.0L engine.

I do not know about the part you speak of. Last year sometime I recall someone talking about the ball that goes into the transmission at the end of the shift lever as being hard to get and going out to get a bunch custom made and was looking for people interested.

Seems though your problem is the mating part the ball sits in.

 

[clcorley]

Thank you for the help. Will look at door to check for sticker. Do you know what the part the shifter knob sits into is called?
This is a pic of the parts I am talking about.

 

[Spott]

That looks just like the shifter in the FM146 in my '88, including the broken bushing. It shouldn't cause any real shifting problems, it just permits slop in the shift lever. I've been driving mine without the bushing for a couple years now, and while it's kind of obnoxious, it's still entirely functional if you pay attention.

 

[GetItMuddy]

Would this help?
For a ranger but....

http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/moreinfo.php?pk=4502082&cc=1137608

 

[black_demon69]

Would this help?
For a ranger but....

http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/moreinfo.php?pk=4502082&cc=1137608

no it wouldn't that is for the m50d Mazda trans

good try though

i do seem to remember someone here having one made just can't remember who

 

[Spott]

If it helps, I can take my shifter off and draft up a design for some kind of bushing. I've been telling myself I ought to do it for over two years, so a little external motivation might get me started. I can't get to it until Saturday at the earliest, however. Once I get it designed, you'll have to find your own machinist to make it.

Does anyone have an opinion whether Delrin or Oilite bronze would be better?