4.0-2.5 swap m5OD questions

[jp52]

So I have a 2.5 ranger (2000) and am considering swapping it into a 4.0 truck. (Reason being I’d like to have the 4 door setup and maybe 4x4).

In reviewing the tech section it looks like the m5odr1 which is in my 2.5 is also available for the earlier 4.0. I also saw that the m50dhd which seems to be the manual transmission in the 2001 and later ranger which were available with 4 doors, can be swapped into the earlier 4.0 ranger. To me this suggests that the m50d HD could be bolted to the 2.5.
Am I missing something?

And yes I do want to 2.5 This thing gets insane gas mileage and has plenty of torque for what I do which is mostly just house projects and occasional forest roads.

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

The bell housing bolt pattern is different between the 2.5 and the 4.0. And its an integral bell housing so they won't interchange.

 

[don4331]

So I have a 2.5 ranger (2000) and am considering swapping it into a 4.0 truck. (Reason being I’d like to have the 4 door setup and maybe 4x4).

In reviewing the tech section it looks like the m5odr1 which is in my 2.5 is also available for the earlier 4.0. I also saw that the m50dhd which seems to be the manual transmission in the 2001 and later ranger which were available with 4 doors, can be swapped into the earlier 4.0 ranger. To me this suggests that the m50d HD could be bolted to the 2.5.
Am I missing something?

And yes I do want to 2.5 This thing gets insane gas mileage and has plenty of torque for what I do which is mostly just house projects and occasional forest roads.

OK, I'm going to assume you are reasonably technically competent as you are considering an engine swap.

a. Ideally you stay in the 1998-2000 generation as it makes the wiring sooo much easier - post 2001, the dash becomes digital. And at some point the wiring moves to passenger's side to go through the firewall (your 2000 engine wiring goes through the firewall on the driver's side.
b. As @alwaysFlOoReD has indicated, the bell housing is different between Lima (2.0/2.3/2.5), Duratech(2.3), Vulcan (3.0) and Cologne (2.9/4.0 OHV/with a subtle difference <extra bolt>for the 4.0 SOHC). But that being said, it is very possible to mix parts between the various models.

You could think of Lima/Duratech/Vulcan as wide ratio (3.72:1 1st) and Cologne (4.0) as narrow ration (3.40:1 1st). It is entirely possible to put wide ratio gears in narrow ratio case or vise versa.​

Similarly, there are 2 output shaft along with associated tail housings: one for 4x2 and the other for 4x4.​

So, if you are up to rebuilding a transmission, you put both your existing 4x2 wide ratio box and the 4x4 narrow ration one on the bench. Pull the tail shaft housing and output shaft off the 4x2 transmission, and set aside. Repeat on the 4x4 transmission. Then install the 4x4 output shaft and tail shaft housing on your 2.5 transmission. <While it is a little more complex than that. You have to watch move all the wide ratio gears over to the narrow ratio shaft, watch preloads, etc. This video gives you some idea on what it will take:

Bolt back into the truck and go play.​

c. Adding the extra weight of 4x4 (SuperCab, transfer case, front axle, often larger tires) will hurt your fuel economy. And you need to watch gear ratios as to what the "apparent" torque will be. 4x4s with 4.0 may have 3.55:1 gears - which if your 4x2 has 3.73s, along with larger tires has a negative effect on perceived torque.

Now you know what you're up against. Find a 4.0 SuperCab 4x4 with a blown engine and have at it.

 

[jp52]

OK, I'm going to assume you are reasonably technically competent as you are considering an engine swap.

a. Ideally you stay in the 1998-2000 generation as it makes the wiring sooo much easier - post 2001, the dash becomes digital. And at some point the wiring moves to passenger's side to go through the firewall (your 2000 engine wiring goes through the firewall on the driver's side.
b. As @alwaysFlOoReD has indicated, the bell housing is different between Lima (2.0/2.3/2.5), Duratech(2.3), Vulcan (3.0) and Cologne (2.9/4.0 OHV/with a subtle difference <extra bolt>for the 4.0 SOHC). But that being said, it is very possible to mix parts between the various models.

You could think of Lima/Duratech/Vulcan as wide ratio (3.72:1 1st) and Cologne (4.0) as narrow ration (3.40:1 1st). It is entirely possible to put wide ratio gears in narrow ratio case or vise versa.​

Similarly, there are 2 output shaft along with associated tail housings: one for 4x2 and the other for 4x4.​

So, if you are up to rebuilding a transmission, you put both your existing 4x2 wide ratio box and the 4x4 narrow ration one on the bench. Pull the tail shaft housing and output shaft off the 4x2 transmission, and set aside. Repeat on the 4x4 transmission. Then install the 4x4 output shaft and tail shaft housing on your 2.5 transmission. <While it is a little more complex than that. You have to watch move all the wide ratio gears over to the narrow ratio shaft, watch preloads, etc. This video gives you some idea on what it will take:

Bolt back into the truck and go play.​

c. Adding the extra weight of 4x4 (SuperCab, transfer case, front axle, often larger tires) will hurt your fuel economy. And you need to watch gear ratios as to what the "apparent" torque will be. 4x4s with 4.0 may have 3.55:1 gears - which if your 4x2 has 3.73s, along with larger tires has a negative effect on perceived torque.

Now you know what you're up against. Find a 4.0 SuperCab 4x4 with a blown engine and have at it.

Thanks for your incredibly helpful response. I honestly don’t need the 4x. Just want a bigger cab for the dogs and stuff. I’ll explore the transmission rail shaft swap option. I guess alternatively I could just run the 2x trans. The the wiring and dash will be the big challenge. Seems the 4door was only available post 2001. Maybe just swapping the cab would be simpler.

If it happens I’ll keep ya’ll posted.

 

[don4331]

1999 Brochure, pg. 4

https://www.therangerstation.com/resources/pdf_documents/1999_ford_ranger_brochure.pdf

 

[jp52]

Well that solves all the problems. I really though the four door was only available post 2001.