2.3L ('02-'11) Esslinger Duratec to SBF Bellhousing Adapter

[Tikker]

Has anyone tried the Esslinger adapter to use SBF transmissions?

I've been wanting to convert my '03 Mazda B2300 to 4WD & always assumed I'd have to swap out engines to get it started. But since I came across this product, it seems possible to use it along with either a M5OD-R2 or ZF5 transmission to pair up with a transfer case.

I'm searching for a 95-99 XJ D30 to use for the for the front. I know a D44 would be better, but I'd like to keep it the factory width and D44's seem pretty hard to find at the moment.

 

[BlackBII]

Do you have the M5OD in your truck now? You could just use the guts and tail housing and from a 4x4 Ranger M5OD in your current trans, and then use a standard 1354 from a Ranger as well.

 

[fastpakr]

Do you have the M5OD in your truck now? You could just use the guts and tail housing and from a 4x4 Ranger M5OD in your current trans, and then use a standard 1354 from a Ranger as well.

That approach makes a lot more sense to me than buying a one off adapter to match a 2.3 to a full size transmission.

 

[scotts90ranger]

Yes, I would go that route...

Look for a 3.0L 4x4 Ranger with a manual trans and manual transfer case, which limits you to about 1991 to 1997. This way you get compatible gears, transfer case and everything. Somewhere around '98 the bosses on the output housing for a manual transfer case went away...

You can use parts from a 4.0L Ranger or Explorer too, but the gear ratio's are different in the lower gears...

 

[Tikker]

Has anyone done this before? I searched this pretty hard a few years ago and everywhere I looked said that it wasn't possible to use a 4x4 transmission with my 2.3 Duratec. Something to do with the 2001-2012 model years it changed from the older versions.

I've never tore into a transmission as much as this, only dropped an auto valve body, cleaned and replaced gaskets with valve body check balls. Piecing a transmission together from parts sounds like something for someone with more experience....or a step by step tutorial to follow.

 

[Dirtman]

You can't use a 4x4 m5od transmission with a duratec because one was never made. What they are saying is you can take your current 2wd m5od duratec transmission apart and put the output shaft from a 3.0 or 4.0 4x4 m5od in it which means you can now bolt a transfer case to it. That's the only difference between a 2wd and 4wd m5od, the output shaft. But yes you need to totally disassemble the transmission to change the shaft which is alot of work but with a decent manual it's not too bad.

 

[Tikker]

You can't use a 4x4 m5od transmission with a duratec because one was never made. What they are saying is you can take your current 2wd m5od duratec transmission apart and put the output shaft from a 3.0 or 4.0 4x4 m5od in it which means you can now bolt a transfer case to it. That's the only difference between a 2wd and 4wd m5od, the output shaft.

Wouldn't it be easier to just buy the output shaft than buying another transmission to take it from? Looks like there's a 3.0 manual 4x4 transmission for sale locally but it's priced at $200.

 

[Dirtman]

Wouldn't it be easier to just buy the output shaft than buying another transmission to take it from? Looks like there's a 3.0 manual 4x4 transmission for sale locally but it's priced at $200.

No idea where you would get just the output shaft and if you buy a new one from Ford it'll probably cost more than a whole junkyard transmission anyway...

 

[pjtoledo]

need the tail section too.

 

[Tikker]

Found this -> Output Shaft

Would only have to source the 4x4 tail housing then. I could contact the craigslist posting showing the 4x4 m5od transmission and ask what year it came off of. I'd be at a disadvantage since I wouldn't know what to look for if it'll work for me or not.

 

[RonD]

No never tried the adapter

You can convert your current M5R1 manual trans to 4WD by swapping output shaft and using 4WD tail shaft housing
So if you bought a used 2001 to 2008 M5R1 4WD trans from 3.0l, you could partially disassemble it and swap over output shaft and tail shaft housing to put in your current 2WD M5OD-R1
Reason for 3.0l is it has the same ratio gears as 2.3l, 4.0l could be used just has different ratios(1st, 2nd, 3rd), which should be fine with higher torque of the Duratec
Needs to be 2001-2008 so it has the OSS sensor and tone wheel on output shaft, your 2003 Computer needs that signal

And put your current 2WD output shaft and tail shaft housing on used one, and re-sell as 2WD M5R1, to get some money back


If you don't feel comfortable doing the swapping of parts ask around at transmission shops
If you provide the 2 transmissions it could be done in a day
See what kind of labor costs are involved

 

[Tikker]

Here's a question, after finding the 4wd shaft housing & output shaft, the way to engage the transfer case is electronic then right? After searching it looks like there were manual transfer cases for the '90's era of BW1354's but I can't ever recall seeing one before. I've only ever seen dash buttons for engaging the 4wd. I was hoping to have a the manual transfer case shifter on the floor.

 

[RonD]

Once you have the 4WD transmission you can use any year BW1354 manual transfer case
They were offered in all Ranger years up to 2003, but an expensive option so not many takers
They were more popular in the 1980s, so BW1350, which you can also use
The BW1354(or 1350) manual shift transfer cases are not hard to find
The hard to find parts are the shifter mechanism and boot, the exterior parts

Electric shift can not be converted to manual shift

Electric shift 4WD is a Stand Alone system 1990-1994 and then 2001-2003
1995 to 2000 used GEM Module, best to avoid those

The 2001-2003 would be best choice
Switch on dash
4X4CM(controller)
Shift motor, on transfer case
just those 3 parts plus the wiring harness

Manual would need no wiring unless you wanted 4high and 4low indicator lights on the dash, not required but available using 2 wires

 

[BlackBII]

Not a tutorial, but you can see some pics of the process here

BlackBII's white ranger

Just move them closer together and start welding. ???? Sent from my SM-G920V using Tapatalk

www.therangerstation.com

 

[Tikker]

Didn't have time to contact any local salvage yards just yet, but I did find a D30 front axle from a '95 w 3.55 I could use but it's about an 1 1/2 hours away & I'll have to take it off for $150. Not sure if I should just get it or wait to find one with 4.10's already in it.

Almost found a 3.0 transmission & transfer case for $350, but it came off a 2000 model.