Interchangeable manual transmissions

[steveoelo]

Wondering if I could get manual transmission out of any v6 2wd drive ranger? I know a 3.0l is completely different then a 2.9 so I would imagine that the bolt pattern is different but how about a 4.0l SOHC? I currently have a 90 with a 2.9 2wd. Am I forced to use only a manual out of a 2.9 or an original 4.0l? Obviously I can't use a 2.3 or 2.5 trans either. Thanks

 

[RonD]

M5OD-R1 is the manual transmission used, and it has an integrated bell housing, so can't be detached.

So yes you need one that will match your 2.9l bolt pattern, 3.0l or 2.3l/2.5l won't as you said.

2.9l and 4.0l OHV were the same block so match up
4.0l SOHC was made with same pattern as 4.0l OHV, with an extra bolt hole added so would also fit your 2.9l, but..............you run into a speedometer issue

Ranger 2WD transmissions lost speedo cable hook up in 1997, 1995 officially but some could be converted up to 1997, in 1998 and up it was gone for good.

4WD had speedo cable on transfer case so not an issue if just changing the transmission.

So you can use an M5OD-R1(HD) from a 2WD 4.0l SOHC Ranger/Mazda but it won't have speedometer cable hook up

You can swap tail shafts/housings but not easy peasy

The (HD) designation was added to the 4.0l SOHC M5OD-R1 trans because of the extra bolt hole