89 Ranger 2.9 to 2.3 conversion

[Janky89]

I have a 1989 Ford Ranger 2.9 liter with an M50D R1 5 speed trans (E97A or something like that) and I want to swap the motor out for a 2.3 out of an 89 Mustang with an automatic trans but I'd like to keep my same transmission. My question is, will the 2.3 bolt up to my trans without an adapter and if not where can I find one? Any help/advice would be greatly appreciated. Here are some pics of the old girl as well.

Sent from my VS988 using Tapatalk

 

[RonD]

Welcome to TRS

No, it will not bolt up and no there is no adapter.

You will need to find a 2.3l Manual trans, 2WD if thats what you have now, and you will also need 2.3l manual transmission computer, mustang computer is for automatic and they are different, but you could use manual trans computer from 2.3l mustang

2.3l Lima engine has unique bolt pattern and you also need speedometer cable hook up, so 1997 and earlier(1988), 2.5l has same bolt pattern but won't have speedo cable hook up.
2.3l Duratec engine, 2001 and up, transmission also won't fit 2.3l Lima engine

Good page to bookmark here for Ranger info: http://www.therangerstation.com/tech_library/index.shtml

 

[Janky89]

Thank you for the welcome. So I knew that the computer would have to be changed most likely. I was just hoping there was some way to make it work without a new transmission. In all honesty, mine probably needs rebuilt anyway, but still has life in it so I was hoping to use it for now till I came across another one.

Sent from my VS988 using Tapatalk

 

[RangerFabWorks]

I have the transmission you need.

 

[Janky89]

I have the transmission you need.

What transmission is it?

Sent from my VS988 using Tapatalk

 

[RangerFabWorks]

I have a nice m50d from my 88. Shifter like butter

 

[Janky89]

That'll work with the 2.3? That's the one I have, only 1 year earlier

Sent from my VS988 using Tapatalk

 

[RonD]

M5OD-R1 is the model of the transmission, nothing to do with what engine it will bolt to

You need a M5OD-R1 FOR a 2WD 2.3l engine
You have an M5OD-R1 FOR a 2WD 2.9l engine

M5OD-R1 doesn't have detachable bell housing, so while you could swap the parts around from inside, same model, outside is not interchangeable

 

[RangerFabWorks]

Yes it's off a 2.3 2wd.

 

[Ericparsons80]

I would like to know if I'm going to have any problems swapping a v6 for a 2.3. The 4 cylinder came out of a 94 Ranger and I'm putting it in a 83 Ford Ranger any suggestions would help.

 

[RonD]

I would like to know if I'm going to have any problems swapping a v6 for a 2.3. The 4 cylinder came out of a 94 Ranger and I'm putting it in a 83 Ford Ranger any suggestions would help.

Welcome to TRS

Depends on what you think are "problems", lol.

You will need the cross bar from a 1992 or earlier Ranger with 2.3l so you can install the drivers side motor mount, V6 width reached from frame rail to frame rail, 4cyl didn't so needed the cross bar

You need the 1993/94 2.3l computer with engine wiring harness for that computer

You need 2.3l bell housing for the 1983 V6 transmission, if manual, if automatic then you will need whole 2.3l automatic, 1987/94 A4LD and computer needs to be for automatic

 

[Ericparsons80]

I am wanting to use the transmission that's already on the 2.3l and couldn't I use the 2.3l's wire harness for the swap?

 

[RonD]

Yes, computer, wiring harness and transmission for a 2.3l are needed