I4 / V6 M5OD main shaft and tail housing compatibility

[psmith]

I searched but couldn't find answers to my exact questions...

I am converting my 1990 2WD 2.3L with the M5R1 manual transmission to 4WD and am currently in the parts gathering stage of the project.

I've been trying to track down a M5R1 out of a 4WD 4 cylinder Ranger but haven't had any luck... long story short, on to my questions:

1. In regard to a mainshaft/tail housing swap on my current 2.3L 2wd trans, would i need to utilize the parts from another 2.3 or are the mainshafts and tail housings interchangeable between any of the M5R1s, V6 or I4?

2. It is to my understanding that the 2.3 and 3.0 M5R1s utilize the same 1st, 2nd and 3rd gear ratios. That being said, should I be looking for a main shaft and tail housing from a 3.0? Can the 2.3L gears be installed on a 4.0 shaft?

3. I'm aware that the Lima 2.3 and Cologne V6 2.9/4.0 bell housings are different... What about the 3.0? Same as the 4.0? Same as the 2.3? or a third and completely different bell housing in itself? Would a 3.0 4WD trans and transfer case bolt up to my 2.3?


Thanks in advance for any input.

 

[Original_Ranger84]

If I am not mistaken... all of the M5OD's have the same guts and all are interchangable... so I believe the tail shafts are swappable making it possble to swap out the tail pieces and get the t case attached.

As for the bolt patterns... The 2.8L, 2.9L and 4.0L have the same pattern so they are all swappable, the 3.0L and 2.3L are different patterns. But it should work... I think? Not to familiar with transmission interchangability

 

[AllanD]

Internally the output shaft and the extension housing are the same.

The internal difference between the 4.0 version (the only one that's different)
and all others is the cluster gear, 1st, 2nd & 3rd gear.

there are OTHER differences (like the reverse 5th and all associated parts)
that are Year to Year changes...

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[psmith]

so to clairify...

any year or mating engine M5OD-R1 output shaft and tail housing will work for my application

and there are THREE different Ranger based M5R1 bellhousings, 2.9/4.0, 2.3/2.5, and 3.0?

thanks for the help guys, now if we could just have a weekend without rain i can go hit the local pick-a-part and get this thing started.

 

[AllanD]

No there's two you missed.

the transm made specifically for the 4.0SOHC engine has a an extra bellhousing bolt hole to accomodate the one hole that's located differently

AND the '01-up 2.3DOHC engine uses a different bellhousing

But other than that you've got it.

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