2001 Ranger 4x4 5R55E interchange

[wwlightning]

Hoping you guys can lead me in the right direction. We have a 2001 Ranger 4x4, 4.0. The 5R is giving us issues. We are at about 202,000 miles. I dont know if the trans has been changed before or not. I'm searching for a replacement. So far, I have gathered that 01-11 5R55E will work. Is this only Ranger or will others work? What makes a 4x4 trans different from a 4x2? Will a 5R55S work? This is my teenage daughters truck and looking for the most economical way to go.. Thanks for any input!

 

[sgtsandman]

I can't answer the rest of your questions but you need a 4X4 transmission for a 4X4. The transfer case bolts onto the tail of the transmission. The RWD transmission tail is different and won't let you bolt the transfer case to it.

 

[RonD]

Welcome to TRS

A 4x4 transmission has a shorter main shaft and round rear housing to bolt transfer case to
2WD has longer main shaft and longer tapering rear housing that rear drive shaft slides into
Internally they are the same but you need to do a full rebuild to change main shafts
so usually best to match 4WD and 2WD with same

You can use 2001-2011 5R55E from a 4x4 4.0l Ranger or Mazda B4000(4.0) 4x4

In 2001 Ford changed the 5Rs and added ISS sensor and OSS sensors to the outside, so you can't use earlier 5Rs
The 5R44E won't bolt to a 4.0l engine

No on the 5R55S, or W, or N

Good site to check for used parts is: car-part.com

 

[canthelpitimaguy]

You say no on the 5r55s, but I'm curious why? I'm looking to do the opposite to the op. I have a 5r55s in a 4x4 04 ex and found a well priced 5r55e from a 4x4 04 ranger.

Is it electronics? Or will the transfer case not swap over?

Welcome to TRS

A 4x4 transmission has a shorter main shaft and round rear housing to bolt transfer case to
2WD has longer main shaft and longer tapering rear housing that rear drive shaft slides into
Internally they are the same but you need to do a full rebuild to change main shafts
so usually best to match 4WD and 2WD with same

You can use 2001-2011 5R55E from a 4x4 4.0l Ranger or Mazda B4000(4.0) 4x4

In 2001 Ford changed the 5Rs and added ISS sensor and OSS sensors to the outside, so you can't use earlier 5Rs
The 5R44E won't bolt to a 4.0l engine

No on the 5R55S, or W, or N

Good site to check for used parts is: car-part.com

 

[RonD]

The 5R55W can be used, as it was used in 2002-2011 Rangers with 4WD, also 2WD, but randomly no real pattern I have seen, 5R55E was more common
If you have a trans dipstick you have an "E" model
W, S, and N no dipstick

"S" and "N" were 2WD only so you would have to change to a 4WD shorter Main shaft to mount transfer case, requires full rebuild

Article here on the 5R55 versions: https://www.thetransmissionshop.com/fords-four-versions-of-5r55/

To use "select shift" in an "S" version you would need an engine computer(PCM) that had the software, and same engine as in your Ranger which doesn't exist
A Ford PCM programmer may be able to add "select shift" to your PCM, never looked into that