2wd to 4wd tail housing inquiry

[FordRangerFan777]

Hello All!

First off, if this is covered already my apologies, please move to correct location or delete and point me to the pre-existing article / forum.

As I continue research for my 2wd to 4wd swap I realized I need more info about my transmission and transmission tail housing. I have a 2002 Mazda B4000 (Ranger 4.0 V6) manual transmission. Looking in the tech articles: https://www.therangerstation.com/tech/ford-ranger-manual-transmissions/ it appears I have the Mazda M50D-R1HD transmission. In the 2wd variant the current tail (extension) housing will not allow for a transfer case and need to source a 4wd tail housing. I have the following questions.

1. Can anyone confirm the Mazda M50D-R1HD is the correct transmission in my truck?
2. If so, does anyone know what is the part number to 4wd tail housing? Or have a place I can reference? Google has not been my friend.
3. By chance, is the tail housing the same for the auto transmission as the manual transmission?

Thanks in advance for any info on this.

Very Respectfully,

Jim

 

[Dirtman]

It's not just the tail housing that is different. The output shaft is also different. You need to completely disassemble the transmission to change the output shaft. It's easier to buy another transmission...

 

[FordRangerFan777]

I've heard that. When I looked it up, the only thing I could find was that it was longer and could be cut to length. Is this not true?

 

[Dirtman]

 

[adsm08]

I've heard that. When I looked it up, the only thing I could find was that it was longer and could be cut to length. Is this not true?

This is not true. There is also a difference in diameter and spline size.

The auto trans extension housing will not fit the M5OD.

 

[FordRangerFan777]

So I think I spoke too soon and should have asked some clarification questions. @Dirtman you said the tail housing is different on the auto vs. the manual. That was the answer I was looking for. Thank you. That tells me I would need the tail housing for the manual transmission only.
You also said the output shaft is different. I assumed I understood and looking back may have spoke too soon. Are you saying the output shaft on the manual transmission is different than the output shaft on the auto transmission? Or are you saying the output shaft on a manual 2wd is different than the output shaft on the manual 4wd transmission?

 

[adsm08]

So I think I spoke too soon and should have asked some clarification questions. @Dirtman you said the tail housing is different on the auto vs. the manual. That was the answer I was looking for. Thank you. That tells me I would need the tail housing for the manual transmission only.
You also said the output shaft is different. I assumed I understood and looking back may have spoke too soon. Are you saying the output shaft on the manual transmission is different than the output shaft on the auto transmission? Or are you saying the output shaft on a manual 2wd is different than the output shaft on the manual 4wd transmission?

Manual to manual, or auto to auto the output shaft is a different length, diameter and spline size/count for 2wd vs 4x4.

 

[FordRangerFan777]

So, the difference is only between auto and manual trans or differences also between 2wd and 4wd?

 

[pjtoledo]

View attachment 47758

promises,,,promises

 

[pjtoledo]

So, the difference is only between auto and manual trans or differences also between 2wd and 4wd?

there are no parts that interchange between autos and manuals

there are 2 WD and 4 WD versions of both autos and manuals



EDIT:

not to confuse the issue, but does your truck have coil springs or torsion bars ?
it makes a big difference.


and welcome to the forum.

 

[adsm08]

So, the difference is only between auto and manual trans or differences also between 2wd and 4wd?

Don't take this the wrong way.

You seem dense.

 

[Dirtman]

Buy a 4x4 truck and swap the contents of your glove box...

 

[FordRangerFan777]

there are no parts that interchange between autos and manuals

there are 2 WD and 4 WD versions of both autos and manuals



EDIT:

not to confuse the issue, but does your truck have coil springs or torsion bars ?
it makes a big difference.


and welcome to the forum.

"there are no parts that interchange between autos and manuals"
^^ I understand there are no parts that interchange between autos and manuals.

"there are 2 WD and 4 WD versions of both autos and manuals"
^^ aside from the tail housing, what are the differences between a manual trans 2wd and a manual trans 4wd? The answer to this question determines what direction I go from here on the swap.

"not to confuse the issue, but does your truck have coil springs or torsion bars ?
it makes a big difference"
^^ torsion bars. I've seen other forum posts where people have coil springs and tried swapping in a torsion style front end. I appreciate the question and from the little I understand there is a huge difference between the two.

"and welcome to the forum."
^^ and thank you. I don't think I started off on the right foot and I really don't want to be an a$$ or THAT guy. I really am trying to learn and I realize I am very detail oriented and tend to think a little differently than most. This is likely the reason for @adsm08 's comment: "Don't take this the wrong way. You seem dense." I don't take it the wrong way and understand likely why you said that. I'll do my best to communicate better going forward.

 

[pjtoledo]

let me give this a try,,,,
rather than refer to you as "that guy" we should realize you are a "new guy" and as such we haven't yet gotten to know each other.

fortunately I am addicted to Snickers bars and they mellow me out enough to handle almost anything.
(except politics)



generic mode ON:

referring to a manual transmission only.

can you change a 2wd transmission to 4wd? most definitely yes,,,,,,however the conversion entails completely dismantling the transmission
and swapping out the part that is the hardest to get to, the output shaft.
and the tail housing.
it's basically the same process as a full rebuild, special tools are needed.

is it doable? some guys can do it in their sleep, (you have already met 2 of them) others may take a couple attempts to get it right.
most just go buy a 4wd transmission, or 4wd truck.

clear as mud??



EDIT

have you reviewed the service manual yet?
here it is:

https://www.therangerstation.com/tech_library/pdf_documents/ford_m5od_manual_transmission_shop_manual.pdf

 

[adsm08]

"there are 2 WD and 4 WD versions of both autos and manuals"
^^ aside from the tail housing, what are the differences between a manual trans 2wd and a manual trans 4wd? The answer to this question determines what direction I go from here on the swap.

Ignoring the fact that I have already answered this exact question twice....


Length, diameter, and spline size of the output shaft. Aside from the obvious tail housing vs extension housing.