M50d id question

[rangerstzz]

Question for the M50d guru's, how can I tell a 2.9 version from the 4.0 one? I would rather have the better 2.9 gear ratio.

 

[AllanD]

I'd argue "Better" about the gearing after recently snapping the output
shaft on a wide (2.9) ratio trans in my 4.0 truck.

I twisted the phucker apart like a candy cane with a spiral crack
propagating from literally every other spline root.

The "close ratio" 4.0 trans has a tighter jump between 3rd and 4th
the 2.9 trans has a 1.5:1 3rd gear, the 4.0 trans has a 1.31:1
so there is a significantly smaller jump going from 3rd to 4th

that being said if you look at the SIDES of the transmission up at the
rim of the bellhousing the 4.0 transmission has little "nooks and crannies"
on the edge of the bellhousing, this rim on a 2.9 bellhousing is "solid".

2.9 Mazda's were never "Common" and FAR less common that 4.0 transmissions.

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[rboyer]

Or if you have the tag number handy at your desk:

http://home.teleport.com/~mmerlinn/catalog/tk_tr1/tktr1010.htm

 

[AllanD]

BTW, Rob, you were right, the output shaft broke from a crack
propagating from the splines, not the staking groove for the rear bearing nut.

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[rangerstzz]

Thanks for the info guys and AllenD, is the output shaft or for that matter anything else weaker on the 2.9 version? I see your point with the wide spacing between 3+4, I just would rather not go to a even worse first gear then what I have now, '87 ranger, 2.9, fm146, 3.73

 

[rboyer]

Allan, you must beat your truck pretty harsh. I have been beating my Ranger pretty hard lately, even towed my 12 foot trailer behind it to Bloomsburg and back to haul a roll of carpet. That's with the 33's on it and the 4.0 gear ratio. Never broke an output shaft yet. Then again i'm sure you put 3x the amount of miles on yours than mine. Did you get the thing fixed yet?

 

[snoopdoggie]

BTW, Rob, you were right, the output shaft broke from a crack
propagating from the splines, not the staking groove for the rear bearing nut.

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Got pics?