99 5 speed fit my 93 (2.3)?

[macx]

(had first stuck this in the wrong forum, moved it here, sorry!)

I thought I'd read somewhere that the 5 spd Mazda trans would fit my 93 Ranger 2.3 up thru 97, but the only thing I've found in several weeks of lookin within a couple hundred mile radius of Vegas is supposedly out of a 99 with a 2.3 (I think it should read 2.5? - anyway)

And there's the question of speedo - mine's mechanical of course, I would imagine the 99 is electric. Anyway to make the mech drive work on a trans with electric spedo drive?

If it'll fit, I'd probly ask them to let me pull the drain plug to see what is or is not on it in the way of debris and take a small sample of the oil to check for glitter.

Knowing there's a lot of variables, but just as a general rule of thumb for a normally driven & maintained vehicle, what would be worth taking a chance on as far as miles goes on a trans - if the drain plug magnet & the oil looked decent.

I've seen a couple (not locally of course) with not much over 100k on the trans going for around $650 + a little.
I'd be more comfortable with something like that than one with nearly 150k even if it is going for ~$150 less.

The one in question here is out of a local salvage yard and they're asking $500. Don't know the miles yet.

 

[LearjetMinako]

It should work. The Mazda M5OD tranny didn't really change and so did the 2.3/2.5 engine. The 2.5 engine is the same as the 2.3 engine, just stroked out a bit more. Late 2001 was when the Duratech 23 was put into the Ranger and so a different transmission bellhousing as well. As for the speedo, you may be right on that. 1997 was the last year for the speedo to be sent through the tailhousing of the transmission. 1998+ use the ABS sensor in the axle for the speedo. I believe you can do a tailhousing swap if need be.

Wait to see what other folks reply back on too.

 

[adsm08]

If you can see the trans out of the vehicle before buying it I'd take the top plate off and look at the teeth of the synchros. Look for them to be chewed up.

Engage the shifter into each gear and turn the input shaft, look for the output shaft to turn too. That will let you know it it's missing a gear.

I'm really not sure about the speedo though. I've never taken apart one that new to see if it has the provision for the speedo gear. If you already have a manual trans you should be able to swap your tail housing and speedo drive to make the new one work though.

 

[Ranger Sport Honduras]

The transmission will fit.
i did the opposite a few weeks ago, got a 90 2.3 into my 99 2.5.
just make sure you get the shifter too because those have changed and the older one wont work on the new one.

as for the speedo, since mine is electric i just sealed the speedo gear and called it a day.
but i think u could swap the tails and it would work with no issues.

 

[ZMan]

ya the main difference is going to be the speedo, the 99 trans won't have a place for you to put your speedo drive.

 

[macx]

Thanks for the info, and the good tips on how to check out a used trans!

I've been all over Vegas, absolutely nothing. And no sizeable towns in
any direction for 100 miles.

Might have to bite the bullet and get a used one from one of the places that
specialize in stuff like that. Looks like around $650 for a "good" one and shipping.

The other option would be that 99 unit and swap the tailhousing. Have done that on
Ford automatics, not that that means anything for this Mazda trans I guess.

I looked at a bunch of pics and it doesn't look like there's provision for the mech
setup in the newer trans with the electric speedo.

I'll call that yard with the 99 unit and see how many miles. It's out of the vehicle
so I could check it out using those tips. Thanks again!