M5R1 Shifter

[TonkaSTX]

I'm in the middle of a FM-146 - M5R1 swap and I realized the old shifter won't work. Not even close. So I'm lookin' for the right shifter. If anything, is there a part # or somewhere I will have better luck finding it?

 

[AllanD]

The transmission shifter or the T-case shifter bolted to the side of it?

There are four different shifters used on a Mazda M5OD-R1 trans

only one of them will fit the early (1988-93) version of the transmission

if the trans you got is for a 1993-1/2 or later any of the other three will
fit if you get the pieces as a set....

MEasure the height if the flat surface where the shifter assembly
bolts into the trans to the flat surface of the top cover
that measurement will determine weather you have an "Early"
or "late" top cover.

If I have misunderstood you and you are only missing the hand lever and your trans still has the stub lever... Where on the stub lever is the narrow keyway groove?

If the slot is on the front any Ranger/Explorer handlever for a Mazda trans 1988-1997 will fit.

If OTOH your slot is on the side you need a 1998-up handlever.

Or if you can spend $215 you can go to Summit racing and get
the Hurst Shifter which comes with pieces to make it fit either
the early or late trans.

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[TonkaSTX]

Well, I found out today the dealership doesn't carry them. But I went ahead and ordered the Hurst off Summit because its only about $80 more than the shifter I found on drivetrain.com. I did need the whole shifter, stub lever, mounting plate, and top lever. And I guess the Hurst comes with the knob too. Not quite as cool as the black-chrome skull i was gonna get for ~$50 but its still pretty sweet. But thanks Alan for the info

 

[AllanD]

Well, the stock stuff would've been cheap used from someone here (<$50)
but if you have the money for the Hurst you'll love it.

I have a Hurst myself, but mine is a junkyard score.

the Hurst is a whole bunch better than the pretty but functionally
identical to the other stock shifters "FX4 shifter"

I wouldn't have ever bought one before, but now that I have one
I consider one for my other Ranger "necissary"

And it no longer has those damned plastic bushings

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[TonkaSTX]

See, Summit ships within the hour and the next day I got the shifter lol... pretend you don't see the jerry-rigged floor panel lol it wasn't my doing

 

[AllanD]

One thing I did differently... I cut the top off a stock shift lever and tapped
it for threads so I could use the stock knob and the stock shift boot.

Basically I like the Hurst but I wanted to hide it from various kinds of unfriendly eyes.

BTW, I'm going to move this topic to transmission

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