Early Ranger M50D swap - hydraulics

[chrisser]

So I'm (finally) just about to start on an M5OD swap in my 87 2.9 Ranger.

The truck was originally equipped with a stick, the PO swapped in an automatic.

The clutch pedal is still there. I haven't poked my head up under the dash to see if the clutch master cylinder is up there.

Anyhow, doing something like this, I make a habit of replacing the clutch, master cylinder, slave cylinder, throwout bearing etc. May as well do it while I have the truck apart.

The M5OD is out of a '94 Explorer.

So, my question is, do I get a clutch master cylinder for an 87 Ranger? Will it attach to the lines going to the 94 slave cylinder?

Or do I get a clutch master cylinder for a 94 Explorer (or 94 Ranger)? Will it bolt in place of the '87 MC without too much work?.

Dorman seems to have a complete MC/SC with lines and reservoir for a 94 Explorer filled and pre-bled. If that would fit, it would be an easy solution to replace all of it.

This truck's going to be for my wife, just to bop around town, get groceries, haul gardening supplies.

 

[kunar]

87 slave will not fit the trans, 94 master will not fit your firewall. Get a master, line and slave for a 91 ranger. That's what I did last time and it's worked just fine. If anybody else has any other options though, I'd like to hear it.

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[chrisser]

Thanks.

I've been searching and that seems to be the best way to go.

When I look up the slave cylinder for the 91 vs the 94, they look a little bit different, but are similar enough that they look like they're mostly interchangeable. Was that just a design change or is there something functional I need to know about?

 

[CountryBoy704]

where the hard line to the slave connects to the master there is a small pin that can be driven out to disconnect the line, all the rbv's I've seen use the same connection here. I used a 97 line from the slave (97 m5od) to an 87 master cylinder and it's been working great for a few months now.

 

[ronclark]

I did that with my swap, 87 master and a 95 slave my only problem is the pedal is really hard and the clutch engages really fast.


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[chrisser]

Definitely appreciate everyone's help. Thanks.

I have a 91 MC/SC/hose assembly on order, along with a new starter for the 4.0 flywheel, and a clutch kit. Found the info on TRS on how to rewire for the newer starter.

Also plan on picking up a rear main seal.

So I should be pretty good. Also going to do new plugs/wires change all the fluids and filters.

The transfer case has a bad front bearing, but I picked up a replacement at the pull-a-part. Easier to just swap them and then I can rebuild the old case (which I'm saving for another project) later on. Have to go over the drivetrain and exhaust and undo some creative wiring by the PO. Have new bumpers front and rear, a new grille on order, new window weatherstripping for the doors, and a really nice carpet I got from the junkyard.

It's still going to be in red oxide primer for the foreseeable future, but it ought to be reasonably reliable and comfortable for my wife to drive over the winter.

An unrelated question...

My Dad has a pretty nice set of tires and alloy OEM wheels off my brother's old '95 or '96 Explorer. But they're 16" and I think the wheels are off a newer one - probably 98+. Whoever sold him the wheels and tires used wheel spacers on it.

I could get them cheap, but anyone know if they'll fit on an '87? I'm not a fan of wheel spacers and I read something about the hub hole being too small on the later wheels. I have the manual locking hubs on the front of the '87.

I believe they're these wheels:

I wouldn't mind a new set of tires, but my wheels are 15" so those tires don't do me any good without the wheels. They'd fit my Sierra, but I run higher load rating tires on it since I tow/haul a lot with it.