1994 4.0 Tranny problem (I think/hope)

[bmob]

First post

OK here it goes,

I have always had a really slow leak coming from my transmission (5spd 4x4) and just recently I started to hear a whurring noise from near my feet (at first it sounded like it was coming from the front differential but I checked the diff and there were no leaks or bad symptoms). Now every time I start my truck and back out my driveway, it feels like my truck clunks twice as if the axle and control arm on my drivers side broke and then after 100 yards of driving I head a clicking and grinding that sounds like a playing card clothespinned to a bicycle spoke (auto locking hubs are to blame I believe on the driver side because once i click the 4x4 button the noise goes away and when I disengage the 4x4 the noise of the hub ceases). I still get the whurring/ light grinding noise from my feet though and see more and more tranny fluid on the ground each day. Tomorrow I will add fluid to it and see if it stops the whurring and the hub, but we will see. If anyone has anything to add or ideas please let me know, I always appreciate help/thoughts (even crazy ones!).

If worse case scenario comes to a new tranny, does anyone know what vehicles I can take a tranny from for a close to straight swap? (maybe explorer or aerostar?)

Thanks a ton.
Kevin

 

[bmob]

anyone with thoughts? If it turns out to be the tranny or transfer case does anyone know of some good replacements that are off road approved (not looking to rock climb or go so hard I replace stuff constantly, just something that will hold up to some easy to moderate trails and still be daily driverable).

 

['99 EB Explorer]

M5OD-R2 would be a good replacement. Not sure what you have in there now, but you can find M50D's in most rangers from the mid 90's I believe.

 

[superds]

The M5OD-R2 is the version with the bellhousing set up for the 302 and other engines with the same pattern. The M5OD-R1HD would work behind a 4.0 and is the heavy duty version of the M5OD-R1 that is probably already in there.

The M5OD-R1 was first offered in '88, and probably first with 4x4 in '90. The transmission is still offered today in Rangers so there is a wide range of years that it can be taken from to replace yours if it needs replacement.

Some reading for transmission information:
http://www.therangerstation.com/tech_library/ManualTransmission.html

 

['99 EB Explorer]

^ yeah...what he said. lol

I didn't realize the R2 was for the 302. I was told it would fit behind my engine.

 

[superds]

^ yeah...what he said. lol

I didn't realize the R2 was for the 302. I was told it would fit behind my engine.

I'm sure whoever told you that meant the R1-HD.

I know it's not a very good source, but here is what engines each of the two transmissions were available with: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mazda_M5OD_transmission

 

['99 EB Explorer]

I'm sure whoever told you that meant the R1-HD.

I know it's not a very good source, but here is what engines each of the two transmissions were available with: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mazda_M5OD_transmission

Nice. Thanks for that

 

[bmob]

The only thing with the HD that I have read is the shifter 90 degree change and I am not sure 100% what fabrication needs to be done. My tranny has been leaking and I haven't found where but after reading the data base I think the culprit is those 3 rubber plugs at the top near the shifter. I am going to get the metal ones to replace them and see if that solves the leak. As for the rest I don't have time to deal with it at my convenience so I let my friend take it to his shop, I will post the problem and solution as soon as I get more info.