03 Ranger engine and tranny into a 98 Mazda

[buck1976]

I have recently came across a 2003 Ranger 4L 2wd 5 speed with a rebuilt engine, transmission and new clutch (the problem is it got rear ended and the frame is screwed) and a 1998 Mazda B4000 4x4 5 speed with a perfect body but a blown engine and 400,000k on the transmission. I was wondering if it is possible just to do a straight swap of the engine and transmission from the Ranger into the Mazda? Is the fact that it's going from a 2x4 truck to a 4x4 truck going to give me any issues and is the 5 year age difference going to be a problem? From my limited knowledge of this stuff I couldn't figure out any problem with it but I'd rather find out here than put time, money, and effort into doing it and finding out it doesn't work. Thanks in advance for the help.

 

[ElleShooTiger]

Yes, you can do a straight swap. The only thing you will lose is the 4x4 if you use the 03 trans. You should try to get the complete parts truck, since you'll probably need other parts along the way but wont realize it until you're putting it together. At the very least, along with the engine and trans, get all the wiring, computer, radiator, hoses, fuel lines, catalytic converters....basically everything under the hood.

A rebuild kit for your M5OD is about $300 on ebay, and if you have some skills you could probably rebuild it yourself as long as all the gears arent worn. A used low-mileage trans at a salvage yard will be $500-750.

Since the 1998 doesnt have Passlock, you will need to grab the computer, steering columnd, ignition switch, keys, passlock module, and probably the GEM from the 03 and put them in your car in order for it to run.

I have a 98 Ranger 4.0L 4x4 with 250k on it (same as your 400k km's lol) just swapped in a manual trans when the automatic died, and will look into a newer SOHC engine when this one dies, but it runs amazing for now considering the mileage haha.

 

[Twizzler09]

Pretty much as already stated, the swap will be fairly straightforward as far as the mechanics of the thing. But the only thing you'll have to work with is (as also has been stated) that you'll need all the wiring,/computer/etc etc from the '03 to make it all work.

My '96 2x4 4.0L w/5spd has nearly 222,000 miles on it and it still has factory perfect compression, and runs like a striped ape.