Swapping Tail Shafts Between 2 M50D

[Josh B]

Two M50D, one from a 93 Ranger 4WD and the other from a 94 Mazda B4000 2WD
I was told these shafts are the same, that they simply have different parts in different places on them, and that the bare shafts will be identical and interchange.
Is this true?

 

[scotts90ranger]

The output shaft is different between the two so it takes partial disassembly between the two to change that, it's been like 11 years since I was in my M5OD so I don't remember exactly what to do but the back end is easier than the lower shaft and input shaft if memory serves...

I think you need to get the big nut on the output shaft off, if you lock it in two gears at the same time (possible with the shift tower off) it keeps the shafts from turning, then use a big adjustable wrench to turn the nut.

 

[Shran]

The main shafts in 2wd and 4wd transmissions are different and cannot be interchanged.

 

[Josh B]

This cuts the edges down to where you can't see the shafts being uneven. I've done all I can to show both shafts but the left just doesn't want to show and they're both gone now.

Anyway I was once told the shafts are identical even though they don't both appear to be at the same height extending out of these two transmissions. Again the left one is a 4WD from a 93 Ranger and the one on the right is a 2WD from 94 B4000 Mazda, both are M50D

 

[Josh B]

Ok, I was miss informed then on an earlier inquiry :/
Thanks yall

 

[Shran]

Yeah the 2wd one is slightly longer, the rear end of it is machined differently for a bronze bushing inside the tailhousing and the speedometer gear, and the spline count may even be different. Either way... 2wd is only useful in 2wd and the same is true for a 4x4 main shaft.

 

[don4331]

Apologies on correcting the terminology, but its the output shafts that are different. (Along with the output housing)

The spline count is same (25), but as @Shran notes, the bushing in the output housing rides directly on the output shaft in 4x4, while it rides on the slip yoke on 2wd. There is similar difference on the output seal.​

All the rest of transmission is same - well, different bellhousings between Lima, Duratec, Vulcan and Cologne (and SOHC gets additional bolt) and slight different ratios between 4.0 and everything else. But you get the idea.

So, while shafts aren't "identical", they do interchange - its how we make Duratec manual 4x4 transmissions, even thought Ford never offered it.

 

[lowspeedpursuit]

I took these last time I had mine apart. 2wd is on top:

 

[SenorNoob]

I see what they did there, but you'd think it would've been cheaper to use the same shaft and put a 2" longer adapter housing on the 4x4...