99 4L 4x4 4 speed w/overdrive bell housing swap w/00 3L 4x4 4 speed w/overdrive.

[Zeke9441]

Hello fellas, seeking information on a transmission swap. Reverse and park went out of my 1999 ranger 4x4 4 l 5-speed automatic. I'm taking a transmission from a 2000 ranger 4x4 3 l 5-speed automatic switching the Bell housings and installing.
Now that I have it installed I can't get the motor to turn in order to thread on the torque converter bolts. Am I missing something or will this just not work.
Bell visual inspections and measurements from the transmission shaft and Bell housings they appear to be the same diameter dimensions. Of course I Google it and Google is rather vague as to whether the swap will work. It don't exactly say no they just say it takes some fabrication. I was just assuming their idea fabrication was switching the Bell housings.
Any technical information I might not fully understand but will be of great benefit. Thank you

 

[franklin2]

Loosen the bolts that hold the transmission to the engine. Loosen them without the transmission falling off, and then see if it turns. If it does, there is the possibility you have ruined your new transmission. Usually when this happens, the torque convertor was not fully seated into the transmission. As you force the transmission onto the engine, it puts a lot of pressure on the oil pump of the transmission and cracks it.

Since you have been doing bell housing swapping, that throws another element of doubt in the mix. But if the assembly starts turning with the bolts loose, you still could have front pump problems with the transmission if the different bell has a depth compatibility problem.

P.S. When it's right, you should have to pull the torque converter forward with your hands just a little bit so it will touch the flexplate. There should be play. It should not be jammed in there.

 

[Zeke9441]

I will give this a shot first thing in the morning. Will let you know how it goes. Thank you for your help and input

 

[Zeke9441]

I will give this a shot first thing in the morning. Will let you know how it goes. Thank you for your help and input

Quick secondary question would be with the pumps be compatible to switch from the old transmission into the new one if if I had damaged it?

 

[franklin2]

I have never messed with those transmissions. What you could do is pretend to need a pump for both of those trucks and look them up and see if they are the same part number. One for a 3.0 and one for a 4.0. Cross your fingers that maybe the torque convertor wasn't seated all the way, and you can repair it easily. I hate do overs, but sometimes it happens.