M5OD-R2 questions

[FORDboy357]

1. IIRC, the shifter position in the 97-03 4.2 F-150 is the same as a Ranger's, right? I want to know this because I want to use the R2 behind a 4BT. I don't want to have do a body lift or make a new transmission tunnel to fit a ZF5.

2. Are the 2WD and 4WD transmissions the same other than the tailshaft? Meaning can I take the transfer case, adapter, and midshaft off of any 4WD M5OD and bolt it to a 2WD's case? I'm asking this because I have a buddy who is seriously wanting to convert his 2007 F-150 XL to 4WD but wants to keep his manual transmission. An F-150 4x4's frontend will bolt right on and it will be no sweat to have front and rear driveshafts made. All that is needed is a transfer case.

 

[Elutheros]

I'm waiting for the experts to respond to this because I had a similar question: Can I take the tailshaft housing off my M5OD from my 4x4 BII and bolt it to a full size M5OD-R2 to put behind a 5.0? If so, the swap could get a lot easier.

 

[InsaneRedRooster]

I'm not entirely sure but I think the output shafts are different and you would need to disassemble both trannies to swap them.

 

[monsterchuck]

I can't say much on the tailshaft/housing swap, but I know that an M50D-R2 will not like the torque of the 4BT. You will be able to get away with it for a while, but if you try to have fun with it, something will snap, probably sooner than later.

 

[adsm08]

The R1 is a 7/8th scale model of the R2. They are very similar, but the R1 is generally smaller. I would suspect there is very little parts interchange.

 

[AllanD]

The only parts that are interchangeable between the "R2" and the smaller "R1",
besides fasteners (bolt) are the sensor switches on the trans and some bushings
in the shifter.