• Welcome Visitor! Please take a few seconds and Register for our forum. Even if you don't want to post, you can still 'Like' and react to posts.

94 4wd 4.0 transmission


scottvols

New Member
Joined
May 21, 2023
Messages
27
Reaction score
15
Points
3
Location
Tennessee
Vehicle Year
1994
Make / Model
Ford ranger
Transmission
Automatic
Will a transmission from 94 ranger 4wd 4.0 work in a 97 Mazda 4wd 4.0. Without a bunch of modifications
 


scotts90ranger

Well-Known Member
RBV's on Boost
Joined
Feb 28, 2001
Messages
8,046
Reaction score
4,389
Points
113
Location
Dayton Oregon
Vehicle Year
1990, 1997
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Type
2.3 (4 Cylinder)
Engine Size
2.3 Turbo
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Total Lift
6
Tire Size
35"
Yes, they're the same thing but you might need the shifter from the transmission as sometime around there the housing changed and the pivot pins went from being on the side to front and back.
 

RonD

Official TRS AI
TRS Technical Advisor
Joined
Jun 2, 2012
Messages
25,363
Reaction score
8,371
Points
113
Location
canada
Vehicle Year
1994
Make / Model
Ford
Transmission
Manual
Yes, it will, plug and play, no differences, 1990-2000 4x4 Ranger 4.0l or 1994-2000 4x4 Mazda B4000 used same M5R1 manual transmission

2001 and up is when the M5R1 shifter changed
 

scottvols

New Member
Joined
May 21, 2023
Messages
27
Reaction score
15
Points
3
Location
Tennessee
Vehicle Year
1994
Make / Model
Ford ranger
Transmission
Automatic
I am sorry guys. I forgot to mention it is a automatic. I know they switched transmission in 95. That you can't put newer in older but what about putting the older in newer
 

RonD

Official TRS AI
TRS Technical Advisor
Joined
Jun 2, 2012
Messages
25,363
Reaction score
8,371
Points
113
Location
canada
Vehicle Year
1994
Make / Model
Ford
Transmission
Manual
No, can't use older than 1995 for automatic

But in a 1997 4.0l 4x4 the speed sensor(VSS) is on the transfer case, so you can use 1995 thru 2011 4R55E or 5R55E automatic from a 4.0l 4x4 as plug and play
As long as you use the 1997 transfer case

No, you don't get the benefit of 5-speed if you get the 5R that has to do with the 1997 computer
The "5th gear" was just a computer program that turned on OverDrive in 1st to get a faux "2nd gear", internally the 4R and 5R transmissions were exactly the same, no "extra gear", lol

This is a good site to find used parts: https://www.car-part.com/
use YOUR Zipcode

You don't need the OD sensor, so with or without doesn't matter
 
Last edited:

Josh B

Well-Known Member
Supporting Member
TRS 20th Anniversary
Joined
Aug 15, 2019
Messages
4,005
Reaction score
1,986
Points
113
Location
Oklahoma
Vehicle Year
1993
Make / Model
Ford Ranger
Engine Type
4.0 V6
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
4WD
They had a 91 transmission in Gun Barrel City for $2900.00
 

scottvols

New Member
Joined
May 21, 2023
Messages
27
Reaction score
15
Points
3
Location
Tennessee
Vehicle Year
1994
Make / Model
Ford ranger
Transmission
Automatic
No, can't use older than 1995 for automatic

But in a 1997 4.0l 4x4 the speed sensor(VSS) is on the transfer case, so you can use 1995 thru 2011 4R55E or 5R55E automatic from a 4.0l 4x4 as plug and play
As long as you use the 1997 transfer case

No, you don't get the benefit of 5-speed if you get the 5R that has to do with the 1997 computer
The "5th gear" was just a computer program that turned on OverDrive in 1st to get a faux "2nd gear", internally the 4R and 5R transmissions were exactly the same, no "extra gear", lol

This is a good site to find used parts: https://www.car-part.com/
use YOUR Zipcode

You don't need the OD sensor, so with or without doesn't matter
How can I tell exactly what I got.? This is my first ranger. I have no clue about any of them. I am mechanically inclined. I have always done my own maintenance. I just have no clue about rangers
 

RonD

Official TRS AI
TRS Technical Advisor
Joined
Jun 2, 2012
Messages
25,363
Reaction score
8,371
Points
113
Location
canada
Vehicle Year
1994
Make / Model
Ford
Transmission
Manual
I am a bit confused

Will a transmission from 94 ranger 4wd 4.0 work in a 97 Mazda 4wd 4.0. Without a bunch of modifications
Your first post asks if a 1994 transmission can go into a 1997

However your Profile has
Vehicle Year 1994
Make / Model Ford ranger
Transmission Automatic

So did you get a 1997 recently
OR
Was your first question backwards
So should have been "can I use a 1997 transmission in a 1994"
 

scottvols

New Member
Joined
May 21, 2023
Messages
27
Reaction score
15
Points
3
Location
Tennessee
Vehicle Year
1994
Make / Model
Ford ranger
Transmission
Automatic
I am a bit confused



Your first post asks if a 1994 transmission can go into a 1997

However your Profile has
Vehicle Year 1994
Make / Model Ford ranger
Transmission Automatic

So did you get a 1997 recently
OR
Was your first question backwards
So should have been "can I use a 1997 transmission in a 1994"
I know where A Mazda that needs a transmission. The ranger needs a motor
 

Josh B

Well-Known Member
Supporting Member
TRS 20th Anniversary
Joined
Aug 15, 2019
Messages
4,005
Reaction score
1,986
Points
113
Location
Oklahoma
Vehicle Year
1993
Make / Model
Ford Ranger
Engine Type
4.0 V6
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Rangers and Mazda's of the Ranger variety are almost synonomus, in fact, Mazda's were actually built at times in Ford plants.
It can also be confusing so you really need to be specific if you wish to mix and match and get info for doing so
Welcome to TRS btw, go Vols :)
 
Last edited:

RonD

Official TRS AI
TRS Technical Advisor
Joined
Jun 2, 2012
Messages
25,363
Reaction score
8,371
Points
113
Location
canada
Vehicle Year
1994
Make / Model
Ford
Transmission
Manual
So no, your 1994 Ranger's A4LD automatic won't work in a 1995 and up Ranger or Mazda B-series(4R55E/5R55E)
But working A4LDs usually sell pretty fast, so sell it and use the money to fix or replace the 1997 transmission

The 1997 Mazda 4.0l OHV engine will replace the 1994 4.0l OHV engine, just need to swap over upper and lower intakes with injectors to match wiring and fuel lines
 

scottvols

New Member
Joined
May 21, 2023
Messages
27
Reaction score
15
Points
3
Location
Tennessee
Vehicle Year
1994
Make / Model
Ford ranger
Transmission
Automatic
So no, your 1994 Ranger's A4LD automatic won't work in a 1995 and up Ranger or Mazda B-series(4R55E/5R55E)
But working A4LDs usually sell pretty fast, so sell it and use the money to fix or replace the 1997 transmission

The 1997 Mazda 4.0l OHV engine will replace the 1994 4.0l OHV engine, just need to swap over upper and lower intakes with injectors to match wiring and fuel lines
I figured I would have to swap intakes. If done an engine swap. In my area rangers are very popular. The trucks and parts are ridiculous. I get the ranger for a steal was hoping it was just a head gasket. But when I tore into #1 piston top had busted.
 

Josh B

Well-Known Member
Supporting Member
TRS 20th Anniversary
Joined
Aug 15, 2019
Messages
4,005
Reaction score
1,986
Points
113
Location
Oklahoma
Vehicle Year
1993
Make / Model
Ford Ranger
Engine Type
4.0 V6
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
4WD
It's a good idea then to watch for a clunker for parts, they can be valuable
 

scottvols

New Member
Joined
May 21, 2023
Messages
27
Reaction score
15
Points
3
Location
Tennessee
Vehicle Year
1994
Make / Model
Ford ranger
Transmission
Automatic
I figured I would have to swap intakes. If done an engine swap. In my area rangers are very popular. The trucks and parts are ridiculous. I get the ranger for a steal was hoping it was just a head gasket. But when I tore into #1 piston top had busted.
It's a good idea then to watch for a clunker for parts, they can be valuable
That is the reason I am looking at the Mazda. I just didn't if I could swap transmission. I guess I will go with the motor swap
 

Josh B

Well-Known Member
Supporting Member
TRS 20th Anniversary
Joined
Aug 15, 2019
Messages
4,005
Reaction score
1,986
Points
113
Location
Oklahoma
Vehicle Year
1993
Make / Model
Ford Ranger
Engine Type
4.0 V6
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
4WD
I see Scott, I'm in the process doing the same with a 96 4.0 into a 93 Ranger, leaving the 96 intake in the Explorer
 

Sponsored Ad


Sponsored Ad

Staff online

Today's birthdays

Member & Vendor Upgrades

For a small yearly donation, you can support this forum and receive a 'Supporting Member' banner, or become a 'Supporting Vendor' and promote your products here. Click the banner to find out how.

Truck of The Month


Shran
April Truck of The Month

Recently Featured

Want to see your truck here? Share your photos and details in the forum.

Follow TRS On Instagram

TRS Events

25th Anniversary Sponsors

Check Out The TRS Store


Sponsored Ad


Sponsored Ad

Sponsored Ad


Amazon Deals

Top