Fm145 & Fm146 Sawp? Or repair?

[PaTrucks]

Hi guys. I hope someone can help here. I have the chance to pick up a 1988 Ford ranger XLT 4x4. It has a 2.9, with a FM146 5 spd in it. 3rd gear is making a loud rapping noise.
He is going to sale me the truck cheap. However, it does run extremely well, and may be worth it.
my question is. It comes with a used FM145 tranny, out of a 1987 4x4 ranger "hopefully a good one".
Is this a hard swap. I see the trannys have different locations on the shifter. i don't know if I can easily swap the tailshafts or not. I don't know if the driveshafts or anything else would need changed also.
Also, I was thinking maybe of opening up the FM146, and maybe replacing the 3rd gear problems? He was told it was some type of bearing making noise for the third gear. Is this best left to a tranny guy to do? Thanks in advance for any info given. I am making sure I should buy it or not.

 

[drturbo]

Take your transfercase of first, then the tranny itself. It's a bit hard to get it past the exhaust, but you'll manage.
Get yourself an overhaul kit with new bearings and gaskets.
Swap your clutch while you're at it.
Have a great time with your ranger afterwards.

Tommy

 

[Hotrodlincoln]

If the "new" transmission is in good shape then it's worth it. The FM trans has more than it's fair share of problems from what I understand. I wouldn't pay more than maybe $100 for one used, but if it gets thrown in the with truck take it and throw it in there.

You need a press and a few special tools to be able to press the bearing races and synchro hubs off of the shafts in order to replace them. You might be able to take them to a transmission shop and have them do the press work after you disassemble the transmission (which isn't difficult). But the cost of a rebuild kit and labor to have someone else put it together you might as well just get another one from the junkyard or try to find a TK.

 

[holyford86]

you will also need to find front and rear driveshafts if you choose to use the FM145. The transmissions are different lengths, front driveshafts will interchange as the only difference is the length. The trucks that used the FM146 used different (larger) u joints than the FM145 which means you will also need to get a conversion u joint to make it work or get your rear driveshaft lengthened.