- Joined
- Aug 14, 2026
- Messages
- 2
- Points
- 1
- City
- Stockbridge
- State - Country
- GA - USA
- Vehicle Year
- 1990
- Vehicle
- Ford Ranger
- Drive
- 2WD
- Engine
- 2.3L
- Transmission
- Manual
- Total Lift
- Stock
- Total Drop
- Stock
- Tire Size
- 15
Okay guys, new member here but long time Ranger owner.
I fell into rebuilding the r1's and it's getting a little out of hand but chugging away. I have been noticing differences that I can't find anywhere that denotes these differences and curious if anyone knows why/when they changes were made. It makes it a little difficult answering questions from people. I don't know if I have your exact version on hand without lots of pics.
First is reverse was updated at some point. The first picture shows two different amount of teeth for the synchros, also the size of the gear, fork, keys are all different.
Second pic is the top plate is a different height, easy to tell by looking at the pins. Making shifter balls different lengths as well. Along with the shifter balls being different height, there's different configurations of them as well. Some have the flat spot for the shifter facing towards the passenger side while others have the flat spot faces towards the front.
Last pic is just some goodies I've been sourcing. There's a few things I can't find new anywhere, just small bs like the speed sensor clip. Got tired of dropping the little bearings in on the floor and chasing them, used my micrometer to measure and ordered bags from McMaster Carr. I can't find a good source of the spring in the 5th/R fork. I can get close to the exact size, but not what I think would be good enough. The pin in the top plate that engages R lights, I've sourced them from McMaster Carr as well, not paying $20+ for one. Got a rod that fits perfectly and able to cut and mill them to OEM standard.
Oh, before anyone says something. Yes these are the old nuts holding everything together. I'm still making sure this one is built right before I put on the new ones and indent them into the key way.
I've done about a dozen of these things so far and the thing I noticed is the front shaft/4th gear gets ate up all the time. I got lots of pics of stuff I've found tearing these apart for people, if anyone wants to see them. 4th gear and its pilot bearing are top prospects for problems from what I've seen so far.
![IMG_0470[1].jpeg](https://www.therangerstation.com/forums/attachments/img_0470-1-jpeg.147392/ "IMG_0470[1].jpeg")
![IMG_0472[1].jpeg](https://www.therangerstation.com/forums/attachments/img_0472-1-jpeg.147393/ "IMG_0472[1].jpeg")
![IMG_0474[1].jpeg](https://www.therangerstation.com/forums/attachments/img_0474-1-jpeg.147394/ "IMG_0474[1].jpeg")
![IMG_0475[1].jpeg](https://www.therangerstation.com/forums/attachments/img_0475-1-jpeg.147395/ "IMG_0475[1].jpeg")
I fell into rebuilding the r1's and it's getting a little out of hand but chugging away. I have been noticing differences that I can't find anywhere that denotes these differences and curious if anyone knows why/when they changes were made. It makes it a little difficult answering questions from people. I don't know if I have your exact version on hand without lots of pics.
First is reverse was updated at some point. The first picture shows two different amount of teeth for the synchros, also the size of the gear, fork, keys are all different.
Second pic is the top plate is a different height, easy to tell by looking at the pins. Making shifter balls different lengths as well. Along with the shifter balls being different height, there's different configurations of them as well. Some have the flat spot for the shifter facing towards the passenger side while others have the flat spot faces towards the front.
Last pic is just some goodies I've been sourcing. There's a few things I can't find new anywhere, just small bs like the speed sensor clip. Got tired of dropping the little bearings in on the floor and chasing them, used my micrometer to measure and ordered bags from McMaster Carr. I can't find a good source of the spring in the 5th/R fork. I can get close to the exact size, but not what I think would be good enough. The pin in the top plate that engages R lights, I've sourced them from McMaster Carr as well, not paying $20+ for one. Got a rod that fits perfectly and able to cut and mill them to OEM standard.
Oh, before anyone says something. Yes these are the old nuts holding everything together. I'm still making sure this one is built right before I put on the new ones and indent them into the key way.
I've done about a dozen of these things so far and the thing I noticed is the front shaft/4th gear gets ate up all the time. I got lots of pics of stuff I've found tearing these apart for people, if anyone wants to see them. 4th gear and its pilot bearing are top prospects for problems from what I've seen so far.
