88 Ranger 302 Swap...Which Trans to use??

[Diggerauditor]

I have an 88 Reg Cab LB 2WD 2.9/Mazda 5-spd. My son blew the eng so I'm going to drop in a 302. I can get a adapter for the Mazda trans but it looks like lots of money and trouble to keep that trans. I only use the truck for daily driving, no 4x4 or drag racing. Was thinking of doing an AOD with the 302 or should I keep the std, I dont mind shifting. Are there any OD man trans besides the T-5 that will hold up. I saw some threads about the M5ODR2 but does it require major mods to install or is there something else that would be better. Just looking for ideas. I haven't seen any f-150 around here with the v-6 that has that trans. I hunt the JY fairly often and know what to look for. Again any ideas would be appreciated

 

[RangerSVT]

The R2 would be your first choice. Direct bolt in, stock shifter location, same internal style clutch slave cylinder...

SVT

 

[Diggerauditor]

What did those come in, I'm not familiar with those, other than what I've seen on the forums. What about a man trans from an I6, I don't know what came in those. What year would those be available in?

 

[Diggerauditor]

Ok I found out what vehicles those came in and the years. My question is, if I get a -96, that has the wrong shifter location correct, also I read that you can take the plate off an +97 trans to put the shifter where I need it. But if I can't find a +97 trans, does anyone make the plate to change shifter position or do I have to rig up a diff shifter some how? If I do find a +97 but its in a 4WD, can I change the tail housing and be okay?

 

[RangerSVT]

All of your questions are possible, but it will be a matter of finding the parts. As far as 2wd to 4wd and vice versa, you will need the tail housing AND output shaft to convert it...

SVT

 

[Diggerauditor]

Will the tail housing and output shaft from an -96 work on a +97 if I can only find a 4WD unit?

 

[RangerSVT]

Yes, they will interchange...

SVT

 

[Diggerauditor]

Or would it be easier to just swap the shifter plate? I heard you can do that to get the shifter in the right spot?

 

[RangerSVT]

Swapping the shifted plate will relocate the shifted in the correct spot. Modding the shifter is also doable, but it would be better to just find the trans with what you need. 97+ f150's are starting to hit the junkyards everywhere...

SVT

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Or would it be easier to just swap the shifter plate? I heard you can do that to get the shifter in the right spot?

That is what I am thinking I will likely do if my C5 gives me a problem.

Obviously finding a 4.2 4x4 would be the easiest solution. But most 4.2L trucks are 2wd, of those that are 4x4 most are automatic. 4.2L 5-speed 4x4's are pretty few and far between around here.

Much more likely to find one out of a 300/302 truck.

 

[Diggerauditor]

If I can't find the right year trans, will the plate from an R1 fit an R2?

 

[Diggerauditor]

OK I went to the JY yesterday and found a 97 4.2l Std 5-Spd. Went back this morning and pulled it. Gears were nice and tight when I shifted thru the gears. Looks like the shifter needs some work I think. The metal spring washers were just flopping around in there. There is a tech article about rebuilding the shifter, but it looks like it is for a R1 shifter, will that work with the R2 shifter as well.

The other thing is that the speedo connector is on the drivers side instead of the pass side. It has an elect connector which is diff than mine too. Can I just unplug that and plug in my speedo cable?

 

[RangerSVT]

I'm not 100% sure but iirc the r1 and r2 shifter covers are interchangeable, so shifter rebuild kits should be the same. On the vss location, I'd check and see hoe much room you have, or if you can reroute it...

SVT