- Joined
- Jun 13, 2026
- Messages
- 6
- Points
- 1
- City
- Corpus Christi
- State - Country
- TX - USA
- Vehicle Year
- 1987
- Vehicle
- Ford Ranger
- Drive
- 2WD
- Engine
- 2.9L
- Transmission
- Automatic
- Total Lift
- Stock.
- Total Drop
- Maybe 3/4 eventually
- Tire Size
- 225/55/16
I want to swap in a T5 from a 3.8 V6 Mustang I have sitting in my garage into my 87 Ranger STX Super Cab, with a 2.9 V6, A4LD auto, 4.10 Rear, 225/60/16 tires. I figure the gearing should be about perfect for a rev-happy sporty DD.
The 2.9 to BW T5 swap has been done before and an adapter was available through a Sunbeam Tiger forum member who was swapping the 2.9 with T5 into Sunbeams using a Toyo Kogyo (TK aka Mazda) Bell from a manual equipped cologne, and an adapter plate between the TK bell and the T5. Sadly, the guy providing the adapters passed and took the knowledge with him.
There is also an aftermarket Bell available from the UK based Burton Power but it is very pricey (just shy of $1K after tariffs, before S&H). The 4.0 SOHC from the Mustang uses a TREMEC T5, but the bolt pattern from the BW Bell to changed to their own special TREMEC only patten (right?). The 4.0 SOHC Mustang T5 has different gears... and I'd have to hunt one down... The BW T5 is already in my garage.
Does anyone here know of an adapter available to mate the Borg Warner T5 to the Cologne? Anyone DIY'd a bell to tranny adapter plate before? How hard is it?
The 2.9 to BW T5 swap has been done before and an adapter was available through a Sunbeam Tiger forum member who was swapping the 2.9 with T5 into Sunbeams using a Toyo Kogyo (TK aka Mazda) Bell from a manual equipped cologne, and an adapter plate between the TK bell and the T5. Sadly, the guy providing the adapters passed and took the knowledge with him.
There is also an aftermarket Bell available from the UK based Burton Power but it is very pricey (just shy of $1K after tariffs, before S&H). The 4.0 SOHC from the Mustang uses a TREMEC T5, but the bolt pattern from the BW Bell to changed to their own special TREMEC only patten (right?). The 4.0 SOHC Mustang T5 has different gears... and I'd have to hunt one down... The BW T5 is already in my garage.
Does anyone here know of an adapter available to mate the Borg Warner T5 to the Cologne? Anyone DIY'd a bell to tranny adapter plate before? How hard is it?
