M5R1 to M5R4 swap

[Hawkeye]

I have a 93 Ranger 4.0 with an old worn out trans. Rather than having mine rebuilt I'm looking at putting in a reman. trans. I've found a couple of sources, with RockAuto having the M5R1
Also Powertrain products has one for my application. Does Powertrain put out a good transmission? Also I just read about the M5R4 on the site, but I don't see any info on swapping from the M5R1 to the M5R4. Has anyone done the swap and is it something that would be recommended for my application? Thanks for any info

 

[fastpakr]

I think the R4 may have only been used on the 02/03 Explorers. If that's the case, it would be extremely rare and I'd avoid it for that reason alone.

 

[RonD]

You need an M5OD-R1(M5R1) from a 1990-1997 4.0l 2WD vehicle, Ranger or Mazda B4000
1998 and up will not have speedometer cable hook up, which you need on a 1993
Ranger's switched to electric speedometers in 1995 and the speedometer gear/hookup was dropped from all transmissions in 1998

M5R1 transmission has a one piece main housing so the bell housing doesn't come off, so each M5R1 is engine specific, i.e. an M5R1 from a 3.0l Ranger will not fit on a 4.0l Engine, or visa versa

2WD transmissions have a longer tail shaft and housing
4x4 transmissions a shorter tail shaft and a housing that can be bolted to a transfer case

So 1990-1997 M5R1 from/for a 4.0l 2WD vehicle

M5R1's do use ATF not gear oil

If shifter feels sloppy then you may just need to replace bushings, seen here: https://www.therangerstation.com/tech/shifter-bushing-replacement/

Info on M5OD-R4 seen here: https://www.therangerstation.com/tech/mazda-m5od-r4-manual-transmission/
No, you don't want it, as said
And these may have come only in 4WD models so moot point if you have a 2WD, and for sure no speedometer cable hook up

 

[Hawkeye]

Good to know info about the speedometer hookup.
Thanks for the quick responses