M5OD bellhousing

[LAFFlyBoy]

I have 89 ranger xlt w/ 2.9 v6 I'm trying to do a tranny swap from auto to manual and all the info and pics that I find of the M5OD suggest that the tranny is the same regaurdless of the engine infront of it unless it is the 4.0v6 then the 1-3 gear ratios are higher. I found a parts truck with the 2.3 inline 4 w/ the M5od. on the door panel it has the trans code M will it fit my 2.9v6? if not is is a simple mod or is it a "find a different parts truck?

 

[mjonesjr]

The 2.9 and the 4.0 are the only RBV engines that share the same bell housing.

I am running a 4.0 M50D on my '86 Bronco II 2.9 and love it. The first gear is a little steeper than a 2.9 transmission, but that was ok with me.

The swap is simple. I have done 3 auto to manual swaps in the last year. Look at my build thread. There is plenty of pictures of the swap in there.
http://www.therangerstation.com/forums/showthread.php?t=12979

 

[LAFFlyBoy]

bell housing

so Ford made the transmission such that they had to make a different case on the m5od every time they switched engines instead of just making it so they just had to change the bell housing???

I need the lower 1-3 gears to tow with

 

[mjonesjr]

If you are towing, then stick with the automatic transmission. The autos have a higher towing capacity than the manuals.

 

[LAFFlyBoy]

I'm not sure of that...of coarse there could be other factors, it wouldn't pull my 500lb boat up a steep-ish ramp. but the reason I want to change it because the auto left my high and dry in MD over christmas break and my luck with auto rebuilds hasn't been good I tried 3X to rebuild an AXOD before I sent the whole vehicle to the salvage yard, and I rebuilt an AX4N in a transmission class 4X b4 I got it right Just not looking forward to rebuilding an A4LD maybe I should "get back on the horse" I test drove the truck with the M5OD with the 2.3 Land with just the 2.3 it flelt like it had more pull than my truck did b4 the trans went out. and I was thinkint if it can pul like that with the 2.3 my 2.9 shouldn't have any trouble, that was my thinking anyway

 

[mjonesjr]

There was a M50D behind the 2.9 in the '90+ Ranger's and Bronco II's.

Or you could get a 4.0 M50D and swap in the internals from a 2.3 M50D. The bell housing is the only difference between the 2 transmissions.

 

[LAFFlyBoy]

sound's pricey
then sell the parts that are left over?