FM145 Aftermarket Shifter finally discovered!

[Muzzlebrake]

Hey guys, I've been lurking these forums for a year now and I have finally run into something that I feel is post-worthy. I'm sure most of you are aware that finding a shifter for a FM145 transmission is about as impossible a task as any, considering the things are damn near mythical these days. I happened to run across this today and it plainly states "Does not fit gas 4cyl models". If my 4cyl Ranger has an FM145 then why would a shifter designed to fit that tranny not work on my truck? I want to buy this shifter so badly I can't stand it because my stock shifter is beyond worn out lol. Any help would be GREATLY appreciated! Thanks!

Apparently I am either dumb or something else I cannot get the posted link to work so I'll just give the website name.*
[URL="http://Www.core-shifters.com/collections/shifters-for-ranger/products/core-hurst-shifter-1985-1987-ford-ranger-truck-4x4-fm145-5-speed-bronco-ii-v6[/URL]"]Www.core-shifters.com/collections/shifters-for-ranger/products/core-hurst-shifter-1985-1987-ford-ranger-truck-4x4-fm145-5-speed-bronco-ii-v6[/URL]

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

If your trans has an fm145 then it will fit. HOWEVER, they are saying that 4 cylinder trucks didn't come with the fm145, they came with a tk4 or a tk5. I don't have the knowledge to confirm either case.

 

[adsm08]

If I had to guess, and this is a guess it's because the 4-cyl 4x4s got TK transmissions and not FM transmissions.

 

[Muzzlebrake]

My Ranger is a 1986 4wd 2.3L and it has the FM145 so either they are very uncommon or someone swapped one in? I bought this truck from the original owner and he claimed the truck was all original so either he was full of crap or he has some serious memory issues lol. Either way, my truck has this tranny so regardless, I should be able to use this shifter.
Here's a funny side story:
I assumed my truck had a TK5 considering that's the most common in this year model, boy did I feel dumb after buying a new shifter for a TK5 and discovering "the fun way" that it doesn't fit. I climbed under my truck and to my horror saw the most terrible thing possible! An FM145 badge on the tranny...... I never even heard of an FM145 until I got this truck.

 

[Shran]

Well this is just fascinating, I guess this is one option for those that simply must keep their FM145. Those plastic balls always come apart.

Then again for the same price or less you could have an M5OD and never have to worry about finding a good shifter or blowing up an input shaft bearing.

I love 1st gen trucks but some of the weird drivetrain issues like this are a turn off.

 

[mad racing]

i looked it up on a reputalbe site as well as a vin decdde and having one my self i have a 2.3 5 speed fm-145 from factory as i would rather have the other tranny right now because the shifter is in no junk yard at all,

 

[07nhbpsi]

Hey guys, I've been lurking these forums for a year now and I have finally run into something that I feel is post-worthy. I'm sure most of you are aware that finding a shifter for a FM145 transmission is about as impossible a task as any, considering the things are damn near mythical these days. I happened to run across this today and it plainly states "Does not fit gas 4cyl models". If my 4cyl Ranger has an FM145 then why would a shifter designed to fit that tranny not work on my truck? I want to buy this shifter so badly I can't stand it because my stock shifter is beyond worn out lol. Any help would be GREATLY appreciated! Thanks!

Apparently I am either dumb or something else I cannot get the posted link to work so I'll just give the website name.*
core-shifters.com/collections/shifters-for-ranger/products/core-hurst-shifter-1985-1987-ford-ranger-truck-4x4-fm145-5-speed-bronco-ii-v6

Coreshifters.... He’s a good guy, Chris I believe is his name.....always responds to email quickly and very informative! Can’t go wrong if u decide to purchase from him

 

[rusty ol ranger]

I love 1st gen trucks but some of the weird drivetrain issues like this are a turn off.

I mean....the fact youre dealing with pretty light duty japanese stuff thats at newest 31 years old.....its not really surprising.

 

[holyford86]

the fact that someone has an fm145 that lasted this long is impressive to me. I've had an M5OD in my 86 for going on 10 years now

 

[91stranger]

Why not just contact the place selling the shifter and see about their return policy? If they have a return policy then get it, if it don't work ship it back. You would be out less than $10 for shipping, which is a lot less if you have been driving around junk yards looking for the shifter.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

I mean....the fact youre dealing with pretty light duty japanese stuff thats at newest 31 years old.....its not really surprising.

That aisde there are so many differences in the early powertrains. Different transmission lengths, how many different 5 speeds and none of them are really all that great, one of them uses different oil than pretty much any other later model Ford trans... it can be frustrating.

I needed the 4wd shift linkage from a certain year range TK4... that was a bugger to find.

Later on when it was just the M5OD or the automatic it is much simpler. And they are even both the same length if you want to mix-n-match.

Why not just contact the place selling the shifter and see about their return policy? If they have a return policy then get it, if it don't work ship it back. You would be out less than $10 for shipping, which is a lot less if you have been driving around junk yards looking for the shifter.

I would be driving around JY's looking for a transmission. IIRC my M5OD was like $150. Chrome FX4 Level II shifter (doesn't really grow on trees) was another $20.

 

[rusty ol ranger]

That aisde there are so many differences in the early powertrains. Different transmission lengths, how many different 5 speeds and none of them are really all that great, one of them uses different oil than pretty much any other later model Ford trans... it can be frustrating.

I needed the 4wd shift linkage from a certain year range TK4... that was a bugger to find.

Later on when it was just the M5OD or the automatic it is much simpler. And they are even both the same length if you want to mix-n-match.



I would be driving around JY's looking for a transmission. IIRC my M5OD was like $150. Chrome FX4 Level II shifter (doesn't really grow on trees) was another $20.

I looked up TK5 shifters and they seem to be pretty available. Once i get rusty 2.0 running good the trans is the next thing i gotta look at. It shifts pretty good and dont make noise but its sloppy. Only thing that makes me nervous is it seems shiting into reverse is rough sometimes.

Ive really thought about taking rusty #1s whole drivetrain for a transplant. It had more miles but seems to be in better overall shape.

 

[Shran]

I mean....the fact youre dealing with pretty light duty japanese stuff thats at newest 31 years old.....its not really surprising.

That is true, the frustration for me is that there were six engines and at least eight transmissions used over a 6 model year period and that's not counting variants within those - like 2.3 carb and EFI engines for example. And some of it was only used for a year or two. Then there's all the variations of interior components, electronics, fuel system pieces, etc. I like the body styling of the 1st gens but 2nd gen trucks are so much easier to modify. They're like Lego sets.

I have the same feelings about the 80-86 F series trucks and those are arguably even worse.

 

[rusty ol ranger]

That is true, the frustration for me is that there were six engines and at least eight transmissions used over a 6 model year period and that's not counting variants within those - like 2.3 carb and EFI engines for example. And some of it was only used for a year or two. Then there's all the variations of interior components, electronics, fuel system pieces, etc. I like the body styling of the 1st gens but 2nd gen trucks are so much easier to modify. They're like Lego sets.

I have the same feelings about the 80-86 F series trucks and those are arguably even worse.

Ive only ever had 2.9/5sp trucks. Never owned a ranger newer then a 1st gen either. Im just...not a fan of any of them after 88.

The F series was that way through out all its life, really, up untill 97. You had anything from a 240I6 up to a 460 and anything in between. Trannys were all over the board to.

I dont know i think its part of the charm lol.

As long as i never have to own a bullnose with a 2.47 rear and 3spw/od trans. My buddy had one of those. Tried backing up a hill and it was so nutless i thought the e brake was stuck. Had a 300 in it. Quite the contrast from my 83 with a 300 T18 and 4.10 rear i had at the time.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

That is true, the frustration for me is that there were six engines and at least eight transmissions used over a 6 model year period and that's not counting variants within those - like 2.3 carb and EFI engines for example. And some of it was only used for a year or two. Then there's all the variations of interior components, electronics, fuel system pieces, etc. I like the body styling of the 1st gens but 2nd gen trucks are so much easier to modify. They're like Lego sets.

I have the same feelings about the 80-86 F series trucks and those are arguably even worse.

First gens are still like Legos, you just gotta dig a little deeper in the box to find the right parts. All the variations also mean that there are more parts you can use if you go custom.

Easy way to avoid the powertrain idiosyncrasies is to just move away from a RBV powertrain. The rest is very simple and tough.