First Gen Ranger Transmissions

[EvanCole45]

Are the transmissions on first gen ranger interchangable on 2wd models? The tranny on my ranger is beat to death and I need to find something a little less beat from a junkyard. Thanks!

 

[EvanCole45]

I'm also wondering what the transmission is called for the RWD 2.9L manual

 

[Nez'sRanger]

Ford Ranger Manual Transmissions - The Ranger Station

Model Trans Code P/N Vehicle Speed Ratios Mitsubishi FM132 D 1988-1992 2.9L 2WD 5-Speed Unknown Mitsubishi FM145 D E67A-7003-FA 1985-1987 Ranger 4X4 5-Speed 1st: 3.769 2nd: 2.210 3rd: 1.516 4th: 1.00 5th: 0.812 Reverse: 3.400 Mitsubishi FM146 D 1988-1992 2.9L Ranger 4X4 … Continued

www.therangerstation.com

This page lists all the manual tranny's used on the rangers by engine and year range.

Do you have a 2.9? If so, there's a lot of options, and you'd be best going with a Mazda m5od... They have a much better reputation for reliability than any of the 2.9 tranny's from the first gen rangers. There's a lot of info in the tech article section of the site on doing tranny swaps.

 

[Shran]

Assuming it has never been swapped out with something else, you probably have an FM-132. What you have is sort of interchangeable with other years but the physical length of the thing is the main point. What you have now is really the best thing available in your model year, nothing else is better and nothing else is a plug and play swap.

That said, the M5OD is a significant upgrade but it's longer so you would need the correct length driveshaft. Shortening the one you have now is the easiest option but you could find one from a 1st gen long box automatic - Ranger GTs were all long boxes IIRC and the auto would be the same length as an M5OD. Trucks newer than 1990 or so have larger rear u-joint flanges so you cannot use their driveshaft without running into issues at the rear axle.

 

[EvanCole45]

Assuming it has never been swapped out with something else, you probably have an FM-132. What you have is sort of interchangeable with other years but the physical length of the thing is the main point. What you have now is really the best thing available in your model year, nothing else is better and nothing else is a plug and play swap.

That said, the M5OD is a significant upgrade but it's longer so you would need the correct length driveshaft. Shortening the one you have now is the easiest option but you could find one from a 1st gen long box automatic - Ranger GTs were all long boxes IIRC and the auto would be the same length as an M5OD. Trucks newer than 1990 or so have larger rear u-joint flanges so you cannot use their driveshaft without running into issues at the rear axle.

Wow you know a lot about your rangers!! Are you sure it has the fm132? According to the chart previously linked the 1988 model year has both the fm132 and m50d. Is there any way to tell which I have?

 

[rusty ol ranger]

2wd is most likely an M5OD.

4WD the FM.

The TK5 died after 87.

 

[EvanCole45]

2wd is most likely an M5OD.

4WD the FM.

The TK5 died after 87.

The FM can be for both two and four wheel drive. Do you know anything about identifying which it is?

 

[Shran]

I don't believe the M5OD was used behind anything other than a 4 cylinder in 1988 but I could be wrong about 2wd trucks.

If it has a removable square pan on the bottom of the trans, it is NOT an M5OD.

FM-146 is a 4x4 trans, FM-132 is the same thing but 2wd. FM-145 I believe can go either way but was not offered in 1988. Should be a tag on the drivers side of the trans to tell for sure.

 

[Snoranger]

The FM can be for both two and four wheel drive. Do you know anything about identifying which it is?

The FM has a removable stamped steel pan on the bottom. The M5OD is all aluminum, no pan.

 

[rusty ol ranger]

I thought thenM50D wasnt 4x4 in rangers untill after 93. My bad.

Wont the FM have the curved shifter and the M5OD a straight one?

 

[Shran]

FMs have all had curved shifters but sometimes you can't tell because of the tall boot that covers it. That started in '88 or so.

M5OD was definitely in older trucks, my '88 came from the factory with one but like I said, 4 cylinder only. You'd think they would have used an FM trans there, especially because there is a 4 cylinder FM bellhousing available!