fm146 vs m5od

[87dangerranger989]

I have a 87 ranger 2.9 4x4 It currently has a 5speed mitz fm146. I have a input shaft bearing going out. The rebuit kit is 200 bucks. But from what im reading everyone says m5od is stronger. So inset of rebuilding or swaping in another, Im wondering what is so much better about this trans over the fm146? Also im planning on doing the 4.0 clutch and starter upgrade....let me know your thoughts thanks

 

[adsm08]

To start, an 87 should have an FM145, not a 146.

Swapping from a 145 to an M5OD is more complicated as the 145 is shorter. It requires replacing the driveshafts and relocating the trans crossmember (the holes are already there, just need to pop the rivets out and move the ears back a spot).


The primary advantages of the M5OD are found in the guts. It's built with beefier parts.

The 145 has ball bearings which flatten out and wear quickly under high torque loads. The M5OD has roller bearings which take the side-loading much better because they have a larger contact surface.

The 145 also has weak gears. The actual physical gears are known to crack and break, a failure very rarely seen in the M5OD.

The shifters are also located in slightly different places. The M5OD shifter will land at the very front of the hole in your floor. You will need to clearance a small section out of the floor pan and find or make a new floor plate.


All in all, totally worth it. It's a good time to do the 1-piece rear drive shaft upgrade.

 

[87dangerranger989]

Ok. thank you. I guess I will look for the m5od. So can I use the drive shafts out of a donor truck? moving the cross member is not a big deal. And the t case will bolt right up? Does it matter what years the new trans comes from? explorer should work too right?

 

[adsm08]

You can take the donor's drive shafts, but you need to make sure you are working with the same wheel base, which will stick you with Rangers.

The Explorer trans is the same unit.

Your existing transfer case will bolt up, but frankly, by the time you are pulling all the rest of it, might as well upgrade to the 1354 case too. Especially since the front output yoke is different.

Due to speedometer changes a pre-95 trans is preferred.

Almost forgot, you need to change the speedometer cable and clutch hydraulic lines too. The cable is too short to reach (I tried) and the hydraulic hook-up is a different style in a different place.

 

[87dangerranger989]

ok. Well looks like its time to go to the junkyard!