4x4 -> 2WD Transmission Swap Maintenance Items

[vashdash]

Hey TRS,

Recently bought a 2002 Ranger 5sp FX4 Extended Cab 4x4 with a blown transmission for cheap to turn into a Lemon/Champ car. I know the transmission is gone since it's only got 4th gear. It gonna get a 2wd swap, 4 link rear, and coilover all 4 corners. I know there are a lot of people that would tell me to get a 2wd to begin with, but this was a really good deal and my teammate won't fit with the rollcage in a regular cab.

Anyways, as far as my research goes. All I need is a M5OD-R1 from a 2wd and a driveshaft from a 5sp/2wd/126" wheelbase truck to make it a drivable 2wd. That's not counting all the front end stuff to get rid of the front diff and torsion setup. Please someone correct me if I am wrong.

TLDR:
My main question is since I'm gonna have the trans and motor apart, what are some of the maintenance items that I should tackle while in there?

The list I have now is:
-Motor rear main seal
-Pilot bearing
-New clutch
-New flywheel
-New clutch slave cylinder

That's all I can think of for now, I'm sure I've missed some things. Please add to the list, thank you!

 

[superj]

it might be hard to coil over if you have the torsion bar front end? i thought all 4x4s had the torsion bars in front, and the edge models?

 

[superj]

oh, welcome to the site!! since you got an fx4, you might have a better rear axle then normal trucks have, too

 

[Roert42]

Realistically you could keep the 4x4 trans (replace with one that's not broken ) and just remove the front drive shaft and you would have a 2wd. Cost and labor wise that would be the easiest.

If you want to loose the wait of the transfer case, you'll want a 2wd trans mission and drive shaft. The output shaft is different between the two transmissions. Also, you will need a 2wd transmission from a truck with the same engine. The bell housing is not removeable from the M5odR1 and the bolt pattern is different between the 2.3, 3.0, and 4.0.

I'm assuming you a have a 4.0 because of the Fx4. it seems 2WD 4.0 manual trucks are not that common so if you are having issues finding one you can always get a 2wd output shaft and swap in into a 4wd transmission to eliminate the transfer case, and use a 2wd drive shaft. not super easy because it's the first part installed and the last part out.

Also keep in mind that the 4.0 had the M5ODR1HD (from 2001 and up I think) and the 3.0 and 2.3 used the M5ODR1. The only difference I know of is the gear ratio for 1st and 2nd are taller in the HD version.

 

[vashdash]

it might be hard to coil over if you have the torsion bar front end? i thought all 4x4s had the torsion bars in front, and the edge models?

Yes, my truck has the torsion bar setup. There was a youtuber who did a torsion to coilover conversion and it required the 2wd Ranger Edge knuckles and hub/bearing/disk assembly to get rid of the front diff and CVs. Then the top of the shock perch needed to be cut and new brackets welded. It seems very straight forward and I have no problem doing all that.

oh, welcome to the site!! since you got an fx4, you might have a better rear axle then normal trucks have, too

Love to be here! Been lurking the TRS forums for a few weeks now and learned a lot. Yes, I believe my truck came with a LSD 8.8

Realistically you could keep the 4x4 trans (replace with one that's not broken ) and just remove the front drive shaft and you would have a 2wd. Cost and labor wise that would be the easiest.

If you want to loose the wait of the transfer case, you'll want a 2wd trans mission and drive shaft. The output shaft is different between the two transmissions. Also, you will need a 2wd transmission from a truck with the same engine. The bell housing is not removeable from the M5odR1 and the bolt pattern is different between the 2.3, 3.0, and 4.0.

I'm assuming you a have a 4.0 because of the Fx4. it seems 2WD 4.0 manual trucks are not that common so if you are having issues finding one you can always get a 2wd output shaft and swap in into a 4wd transmission to eliminate the transfer case, and use a 2wd drive shaft. not super easy because it's the first part installed and the last part out.

Also keep in mind that the 4.0 had the M5ODR1HD (from 2001 and up I think) and the 3.0 and 2.3 used the M5ODR1. The only difference I know of is the gear ratio for 1st and 2nd are taller in the HD version.

My teammate and I thought about replacing the 4x4 trans and just removing the front driveshaft. But for racing then we're carrying around dead weight and it would also tidy up the front suspension area a bit.

Yes, we have the 4.0. I thought about an output shaft swap, but I think we would still need the 2wd tail housing, so it seemed like a no brainer to just grab a trans from a 2wd.

Hmm, I didn't know that the bolt pattern was different across the 2.3, 3.0, and 4.0. Are the internals are interchangeable between the M5ODR1 and the M5ODR1HD? Because while it would involve tearing 2 transmissions apart... couldn't I swap the internals from a good 2wd trans in to my 4x4 trans case and swap the tail housing and have a frankenstein 2wd transmission?

 

[Ranger850]

4.0 and 2.9 have the same Bolt patterns on the Bell house. IF you can find a 2wd with a 2.9 motor, that trans should drop in.

 

[vashdash]

4.0 and 2.9 have the same Bolt patterns on the Bell house. IF you can find a 2wd with a 2.9 motor, that trans should drop in.

Good to know, thanks!

 

[Roert42]

Are the internals are interchangeable between the M5ODR1 and the M5ODR1HD? Because while it would involve tearing 2 transmissions apart... couldn't I swap the internals from a good 2wd trans in to my 4x4 trans case and swap the tail housing and have a frankenstein 2wd transmission?

The only difference between the two that I know of is that the HD has a taller first and second. So swapping the guts should not be an issue.
I've had gone through the process but I believe you should be able to play musical parts to make a good 2wd trans out of a 4.0 4wd trans and other 2wd trans.

4.0 and 2.9 have the same Bolt patterns on the Bell house. IF you can find a 2wd with a 2.9 motor, that trans should drop in.

The 2.9 uses a different trans all together though. I haven't heard a lot of good things about the TKOs, but I don't have first hand experience with them. At the leas you would need to build a new cross member, but that doesn't sound like like a problem for op. I rather build a new cross member then try and make one good trans out of a pile of parts.