4x4 2.3?

[cmcd94]

I knew when I bought it it was relatively uncommon, I'd seen a handful of them in my life and always wanted one because of the fuel mileage and I live in Maine so 4x4 is pretty important, well now that OD gear is gone and reverse is on its way out I'm kinda regretting my decision.. How uncommon exactly are these trucks? And where can I find any advice (I.e. what I can replace the m5od with)

 

[turbo91xlt]

The easiest solution is to find a 2wd 4 cyl m5od trans and take the tail housing & main shaft from a v6 4wd m5od and swap those parts to the 4 cyl 2wd trans. Literally the only reason I kept my '91s 2wd m5od trans after I T5 swapped it to use as spare for my '92 4wd.


Edit: Or if you can afford the down time take your current trans out, pull the tail & main shaft (if its still good) and swap those parts into a dime-a-dozen 4cyl 2wd m5od.

 

[xcross]

A tranny swap would be the easiest and most efficient way to repair it as turbo91xlt mentioned in his post.

 

[ranger1997]

The 4cyl 2wd m5od's have a lower first gear. Watch for that when your shopping, not sure about the 4x4 4cyl trans but would assume the same lower first due to the lack of power.


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[turbo91xlt]

The 4cyl 2wd m5od's have a lower first gear. Watch for that when your shopping, not sure about the 4x4 4cyl trans but would assume the same lower first due to the lack of power.


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Only the 4.0 m5ods got the close ratio gears.

also you'd only be using the main shaft and swapping the gears from the 4cyl 2wd trans to that. But I suppose if you start out with a 3.0l 4x4 m5od you probably can just swap the whole shaft with gears on it into the 4 cyl trans since they should have the exact same ratio

 

[scotts90ranger]

Only the 4.0 m5ods got the close ratio gears.

also you'd only be using the main shaft and swapping the gears from the 4cyl 2wd trans to that. But I suppose if you start out with a 3.0l 4x4 m5od you probably can just swap the whole shaft with gears on it into the 4 cyl trans since they should have the exact same ratio

What he said... the 4.0L is the only oddball, the rest of the versions all have the same ratio with just a different output shaft and tail housing between 4x4 and 4x2 (and the 3 different front case half's... 2.3L, 3.0L and 2.9L/4.0L)

They're really easy trannies to work on...

 

[Lone-Ranger]

I too have seen a handful of these trucks, however ive never seen one auto...

 

[adsm08]

I too have seen a handful of these trucks, however ive never seen one auto...

Yes, because the 2.3 wasn't gutless enough as it is, lets add 4x4 AND an auto trans.

 

[redhurricane]

rebuild what you have. the 4x4 2.3 M5OD is in fact rare, and becoming more so with time.

 

[turbo91xlt]

The elusive 2.3 m5od 4x4 trans with the scarce 1354m t-case

 

[redhurricane]

The elusive 2.3 m5od 4x4 trans with the scarce 1354m t-case

I've got one as well.

 

[turbo91xlt]

I've got one as well.

 

[98Eviltwin]

Is it a possibility to swap the bellhousing from the 2.3 to the 3.0 trans?

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

Is it a possibility to swap the bellhousing from the 2.3 to the 3.0 trans?

The bellhousing is not removeable, so no to the 2.3 to 3.0 trans.

 

[RayInStl]

Man, every thread I read on this site makes my truck sound more and more rare. lol. 2.3L, 4x4 (4 sp Manual), dual gas tank, A/C, power steering, power brakes, gauge package, etc.

And here I thought I just bought a beat up old truck!

Maybe I'll stop taking my Ramblers to shows and start taking the Ranger instead...