1990 4X4 4.0 Ranger SuperCab auto to manny swap

[samx227]

okay did some searching around on the forum and found a couple answers to my questions so i am just wanting to VERIFY what i found..
went to the junkyard today and found (2) 5 Speed manual Explorers with the 4.0l v6 in them,i can use the transmissions out of these for my truck correct? from what i have searched they use the m50d-r1..

 

[chrwilkins30]

Correct.

 

[samx227]

Thanks for all the info everyone has given me. will post a build thread as i go along. should be done within a couple weeks =]

 

[samx227]

hello all,
so plans didnt go through accordingly and this has taken way too much time to do but i finally have the a4ld out of the truck haha. I first took the seats out and pulled up the carpet and pull the tunnel cover off. then got under and removed front and rear drivelines. i then pulled the starter and set it aside (as i wont need it anymore since i have to change starters for the manual starter). i then went ahead and removed tourque converter bolts (which i feel should have been one of the last steps because when we eventually got all the bell housing bolts the trans just fell out and we werent expecting that lol), then we put the tranny jack under the transfer case and unbolted the crossmember that the trans is on. then went ahead and undid all of the exhaust (make sure you get the one on the crossmember as the exhaust is attached to the trans crossmember). next i unplugged all electrical connectors and cut all the trans cooler lines (just cus i dont need them anymore) and i also cut the wires to the 4x4 actuator (swapping to manual tcase.). i then disconnected the shifter, and we moved onto the bellhousing bolts. we did the top 4 through the hole in the transmission tunnel from the inside of the truck. this actually made it a lot easier lol. and since i have never pulled an auto trans i didnt expect it to just drop out as it did when we removed the last bellhousing bolt so be careful of this!!
next i will be removing the flex plate and intalling pilot bearing, flywheel, clutch, and pressure plate and then mounting the trans up!

 

[samx227]

quick question as i am short on time at the moment, can anyone tell me the specs on what bolts i need for the flywheel, and the pressure plate? i cannot find any bolt kits for these items anywhere. this would be much appreciated as it is holding up my progress! LOL, i want to pick up some new ones, not ones from the junkyard.

 

[Explorin94]

Obviously they need to be the same thread as the ones you took out but can't remember if you need longer or shorter ones than you alreay have. Do you have a Fastenal close or a Speed Shop? You could always go to the dealer and get them too.

 

[samx227]

i do the plan is to go over to fastenal and see what they have but i found some info sayin i cant just use any bolt that fits because the factory bolts for the clutch cover/pressure plate actually help align it, because of the way theyre shaped or something. Ford dealer is saying that the truck is to old and all parts for it are discontinued... although i feel i might be able to get away with using bolts for maybe a newer 4.0l setup?

 

[Explorin94]

I am not sure about that one. Check ARP Fasteners also they may give a better answer than I can give you right now. I do have some bolts from an auto flex plate at home I will see if they are shouldered to properly align the flywheel. I will probably be back tomorrow to give an answer.

 

[samx227]

Thanks Explorin!
Fastenal had nothing so im going to try and find the thread measurement and length and order from ARP.

 

[Explorin94]

I looked at the flywheel bolts I had for the automatic and they had no sholder to help align them. Alignment is more than likely done by the misaligned holes that only allow the flywheel to be bolted on a certain way. I think ARP is the way to go if you are wanting new. Let us know how it turns out.

 

[samx227]

I just gave up and went to pick n pull (junkyard) and grabbed the hardware out of a 93 explorer sport!
tuesday is my next day off and i am hoping to have the trans in with all the drivelines back in, and everything all bolted up, with the exception of a starter, i am waiting on moneyfor that as well as the pedal assemnbly, master cylinder, piston, hoses, and the ECM.

 

[AllanD]

The only place to get the flywheel bolts is from Ford.

they are 10mmX1.0 pitch (a fine thread) with 17mm heads.

The pressure plate bolts are actually nothing special there are
three stepped Dowels that locate the pressure plate

the pressure plate bolts are 8mmX1.25 pitch 20mm long

The most important thing the pressure plate bolts need to do is not
snap off

 

[samx227]

Ran in to an issue with the backing plate on the motor. the manual starter wont fit in the hole for the starter so i took my die grinder and bored the hole out enough to fit the starter lol. so now im gonna bolt everything in and see how everything aligns.

KEY THING I HAVE LEARNED SO FAR IN THIS SWAP IS GRAB EVERYTHING YOU CAN AT THE JUNKYARD ON THE FIRST DAY! lol. went back to the truck i had originally pulled the trans from to get the hardware for clutch and flywheel and the truck was gone. and now im not too sure how the auto backing plate will work with me making the hole bigger for the starter and what not but i really dont feeling like pulling a trans at the junkyard again just to get this plate!! haha

hope to have the trans in tonight, and then all that is next that i am super worried about is the pedals. i look under there and have no idea what im looking at or where to even start lol, i read some threads on how to do it so im gonna try my best!

 

[Explorin94]

You will need the starter for the manual transmission. IIRC they won't swap between the 2.

 

[samx227]

Alright got the trans in and started it up and everything seems to be running smoothly! Still have to put drivelines and exhaust. Also thinking about redoing my exhaust system with dual exhauast straight piped 2 1/4" into dual flowmaster 40's, what do you folks think?
Anyway need to swap the pedals in and still run master cylinder, install the piston, run alll the hydro hoses, and then swap ecu's. Any suggestions on how to bypass my nss (neutral safety switch)? Will not be running the setup where I have to push in the clutch to start the rig.