FM146(?) to M50D

[89REDRANGER]

I'm assuming my '89 Ranger with a 2.9 has a FM146 in it and I wanna swap it for a M50D/1354 combo a buddy has for $100 bucks. Problem is, I don't know if the driveshaft is the same length. I know the front will need to be replaced, beings it has a flanged output, but that can be done later. I just need to make sure the rear will work so I can drive it to work and stuff.


Somebody, please fill me in!

And...yes I already used the search tab.

 

[90rangersuper]

i don't have a for sure answer but the m5od is the same length as the a4ld and the fm146 is slightly longer than the a4ld, i know when i swapped my a4ld for a m5od it was no change in driveline length

 

[MAKG]

M5ODs and FM146s were available simultaneously, and are ENTIRELY interchangeable.

If you keep your BW1350, both your driveshafts are fine.

 

[AllanD]

The FM146 and the M5OD-R1 were specifically engineered to be
the same overall length as the 4x4 A4LD

It was done by the factory to make things easier, it makes things
easier for us as well.

There are two differences between the FM146 and the M5OD....
The first is that the shifter is located further forward on the M5OD-R1.
The second is that SOME '88-90 T-case shifters don't work on the Mazda.

as for the front drive shaft, it's not only different at the T-case end
the later shaft is shorter because ALL 13-54 equipped 4x4's ALSO had
the D35 front axle, which has a longer "snout" on the diff.

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[jamie4ltr]

Bye Bye little axles

Get a Dana35 to put in, don't waste your time with the 28. The pivot point brackets and radius arm mounts are the same. If you've had your tranny out for a clutch swap, you should be able to do this. I did your swap already (FM146 and 1350 out, M5OD and 1354 in), except I already had the 35 in with the "snout" from a 28 threaded on. I reused my rear driveshaft with no issues.