1996 Ford Ranger 4x4 Manual Transmission -M5OD-R1 - how tough is this trans ?

[sebastian323]

Which transmission does the '96 manual 4x4 ranger have ? ANSWER: M5OD-R1
I am wondering how tough the unit is. Can it handle being launched / burnouts ? What is the maximum torque this unit can handle if another engine was swapped in or if the stock 4.0 was turbocharged. is it common to do swaps that retain this 4x4 unit? What v6 and i4 engines are available that match the bell-housing ?

 

[Dirtman]

Its an M5OD. It's a stout transmission for it's purpose but it's not bulletproof.

It can't handle any engine swap though, because it won't fit any other engine lol. Only the 4.0 and 2.9 share a bell housing. It could handle a mild supercharged 4.0 though.

 

[sebastian323]

Its an M5OD. It's a stout transmission for it's purpose but it's not bulletproof.

It can't handle any engine swap though, because it won't fit any other engine lol. Only the 4.0 and 2.9 share a bell housing. It could handle a mild supercharged 4.0 though.

Cool. good to know its not one of those glass units like on some of the other cars I own (2002 subaru wrx)
Is there a newer 4x4 trans that I can put in that will mate up to the ecoboost and duratech line of engines ?

 

[RonD]

+1 ^^^

M5OD-R1, aka M5R1, very reliable manual transmission

Specs are here: http://www.f150hub.com/trans/m5od-r1.html

Full size trucks got the M5OD-R2(M5R2) a larger version

But as said above the M5OD series have an integrated bellhousing with main case, so are engine specific, and no one makes adapter plates for them

If you are planning to exceed 250HP then I would look at an automatic, 5R55E from a 4.0l 4x4 they are rated for 550ft/lb torque
M5OD-R1 is 331ft/lb


No, the Ranger 2.3l Duratec never came in 4x4 version, you could use your current 4x4 tail shaft and housing and swap it over to a 2.3l 2WD M5OD-R1 to make it a 4x4 trans
Gearing is a bit different but shouldn't be an issue

3.40 / 2.05 / 1.31 / 1.00 / 0.79 / Reverse = 3.40(4.0L Engines)
3.72 / 2.20 / 1.50 / 1.00 / 0.79 / Reverse = 3.40 (4cyl and 3.0l Engines)

 

[fixizin]

Apologies for topic drift, BUT:

Cool. good to know its not one of those glass units like on some of the other cars I own (2002 subaru wrx)
...

Tell me more of this lame-ness from Fuji Heavy Industries... I'm occasionally tempted to get a WReX w/ manual trans...

... also, what about the manual that comes in the BRZ/x86/FRS??

 

[Blmpkn]

Apologies for topic drift, BUT:



Tell me more of this lame-ness from Fuji Heavy Industries... I'm occasionally tempted to get a WReX w/ manual trans...

... also, what about the manual that comes in the BRZ/x86/FRS??

The manual trannys used in the first year (02) usdm wrx's were awful. Look at them the wrong way and they'd break.

If your going to buy a wrx, for your own good, make it one that is original and unmolested. One where your the first owner would be best honestly.

Turbo subies are fun... but damn.. they get expensive and it's REAL easy to ruin one of their motors by being too extra.

 

[sebastian323]

Apologies for topic drift, BUT:

Tell me more of this lame-ness from Fuji Heavy Industries... I'm occasionally tempted to get a WReX w/ manual trans...
... also, what about the manual that comes in the BRZ/x86/FRS??

I dont know much about the BRZ transmission and what it can hold. 2002 is notorious for breaking 2003, which I have is a little better, but overall all the subaru 5 speeds are weak. you want the sti six speed, or to not modify your 5 speed car too much

 

[sebastian323]

+1 ^^^

M5OD-R1, aka M5R1, very reliable manual transmission

Specs are here: http://www.f150hub.com/trans/m5od-r1.html

No, the Ranger 2.3l Duratec never came in 4x4 version, you could use your current 4x4 tail shaft and housing and swap it over to a 2.3l 2WD M5OD-R1 to make it a 4x4 trans
Gearing is a bit different but shouldn't be an issue

3.40 / 2.05 / 1.31 / 1.00 / 0.79 / Reverse = 3.40(4.0L Engines)
3.72 / 2.20 / 1.50 / 1.00 / 0.79 / Reverse = 3.40 (4cyl and 3.0l Engines)

Interesting. I imagine the 2.3L duratec trans can also hold only about 250hp. What is the maximum tow rating on my current transmission (M5OD-R1) ? how about the practical limit i should not exceed? Any advice on driving style when towing large loads using a manual trans?

 

[RonD]

Interesting. I imagine the 2.3L duratec trans can also hold only about 250hp. What is the maximum tow rating on my current transmission (M5OD-R1) ? how about the practical limit i should not exceed? Any advice on driving style when towing large loads using a manual trans?

1999 Ford towing guide here: https://blueovaltrucks.com/tech/pdf_documents/1999_ford_towing_guide.pdf

1996 4.0l Ranger 4x4 manual trans will have the same towing capacity as 1999 4.0l 4x4 manual trans, Page 14

Top of chart is Automatic, 5,600lbs, scroll down
Manual is 3,200lbs maximum

Because these are Ford numbers, States use these as LEGAL limits not suggested limits
So you can be ordered to leave a trailer where it sits and come back with a bigger vehicle if you are over the Ford Weight Rating

Don't feather the clutch, once you get rolling, get the RPMs higher than "normal" before shifting gears
Keep the engine in its best torque band, on the 4.0l OHV that's 2,200 to 2,700rpm

 

[sebastian323]

1999 Ford towing guide here: https://blueovaltrucks.com/tech/pdf_documents/1999_ford_towing_guide.pdf

1996 4.0l Ranger 4x4 manual trans will have the same towing capacity as 1999 4.0l 4x4 manual trans, Page 14

Top of chart is Automatic, 5,600lbs, scroll down
Manual is 3,200lbs maximum

Because these are Ford numbers, States use these as LEGAL limits not suggested limits
So you can be ordered to leave a trailer where it sits and come back with a bigger vehicle if you are over the Ford Weight Rating

Don't feather the clutch, once you get rolling, get the RPMs higher than "normal" before shifting gears
Keep the engine in its best torque band, on the 4.0l OHV that's 2,200 to 2,700rpm

If I were towing on private property on more or less flat ground and at lower speeds, lets say moving around cars within a junk yard do you believe the car could practically exceed the load limit, or would the transmission be at risk of damage ?
I normally shift at 2500-3000 and try and stay between 2000-2500 when driving around unloaded. Below 2000 RPM i get an odd diesel sounding noise when the engine is under high load , lower RPM. Would you say shift at around 3000 when loaded , and maybe 2500 unloaded ? What is a good RPM to cruise at on this powertrain.

 

[RonD]

1,900-2,100 in OD will give best MPG on highway

The frame and rear axle can handle 6,000lbs trailer load

If its just moving around cars then use 4low that will be less wear and tear on the clutch to get you going
Most of the clutch wear is when starting off

 

[sebastian323]

No, the Ranger 2.3l Duratec never came in 4x4 version, you could use your current 4x4 tail shaft and housing and swap it over to a 2.3l 2WD M5OD-R1 to make it a 4x4 trans
Gearing is a bit different but shouldn't be an issue

3.40 / 2.05 / 1.31 / 1.00 / 0.79 / Reverse = 3.40(4.0L Engines)
3.72 / 2.20 / 1.50 / 1.00 / 0.79 / Reverse = 3.40 (4cyl and 3.0l Engines)

I take it by that logic I can also grab a manual trans from a 1996 4.0 2WD truck at the junkyard and swap on my 4x4 tail shaft housing if I ever were to need a new transmission.

Will the more modern ecoboost and duratech engines (maybe from a ford fusion) mate up to this 2.3 duratech trans ? I would like to do a swap for a modern v6 or turbo i4 engine. and keep it below the 330 ft-lb mark.

 

[RonD]

All the M5OD-R1s used interchangeable tail shafts and tail shaft housings
The tail shaft is shorter on a 4x4 trans, so its not a matter of swapping tail shaft housing only. have to swap output shaft/tail shaft as well

Trans must be out to do this
On a manual its a bit easier, partial disassembly
On an automatic it requires FULL disassembly, the clip that holds the output shaft in place is literally in the middle of the transmission, only access this thru the front of the transmission

The M5OD-R1 has a one piece housing, no separate bell housing
So a 4.0l M5OD-R1 would not fit on a 2.3l or 3.0l engine and visa versa

The 2.3l DOHC Duratec has a unique bell housing pattern, its also called Mazda L engine
It uses the Duratec I4 pattern
These use that same pattern
1.8/2.0/2.3/2.3 DISI Turbo/2.5 Duratec (Mazda L engine)
2.0/2.3 EcoBoost

So yes, 2.3l Ecoboost has same bellhousing pattern as 2.3l Duratec

Most of the Mazda L and Duratec engines were Transverse mount so FWD, which makes RWD transmissions hard to find