1997 2.3 swap question

[Rauschenbach734]

I have a 97 2.3 2wd 5 spd that the tranny just went in, I need to know if a 96 six cylinder tranny will bolt up, or could I change the bell housing or what ? I kind of need an answer fast because the guy is waiting for me to call back. Any help is appreciated

Tim

http://chautauqua.craigslist.org/pts/2580766737.html

Here's the link to the tranny

 

[Captain Ledd]

Nope, bellhousings are cast as part of the transmission on these. You can only replace that transmission with one from a 2000 or older for a 4 cylinder engine. One from a 2.5L will work too.

In 2001+ they also had a 2.3L 4 cylinder but it's a completely different engine, will not bolt up.

 

[Rauschenbach734]

Thanks that's a huge help

 

[Captain Ledd]

Yeah, on one hand it's kind of a pain, but on the other hand this is the only type of manual transmission they offered since 1991. So even if only one transmission fits one engine type, there's still plenty out there. And they made a lot of 4 banger Rangers.

The 2.9L V6 and the 4.0L V6 are the only two that swap. The 4.0L is derived from the 2.9L.

 

[Rauschenbach734]

So you're saying that any 4 banger tranny from 1991-2000 will work?

 

[Captain Ledd]

So you're saying that any 4 banger tranny from 1991-2000 will work?

Yes sir!

Edit: there might be some small issue with the 1998 - 2000 ones, I'm not sure if they ran a traditional speedometer gear setup like on the 97's. BUT I THINK that you can re-use the speedometer drive gear off your current transmission and switch out the tailhousing on the new transmission for the old tailhousing. But that' only IF there's a problem. 97 and older I highly doubt you'd run into any problems.