Manual Transmission

[eb89]

The transmission on my truck is going bad and I am looking at getting a new one soon. I was wondering if anyone had any good suggestions of a quality manual transmission. Thinking about putting in a 4.0L in the future if that makes any difference.

 

[The Fox]

I personally would get the FM-146, but that is because I have one. You most likely have the Mazda M5OD, so I would recommend that. Just remember that when you get a new one, use ATF fluid in it if it is the Mazda tranny.

http://www.therangerstation.com/tech_library/ManualTransmission.html.
Nick

 

[ranger]

what is the difference between the fm146 and the m5od

 

[Gotta_gofast]

The transmission on my truck is going bad and I am looking at getting a new one soon. I was wondering if anyone had any good suggestions of a quality manual transmission. Thinking about putting in a 4.0L in the future if that makes any difference.

The M5OD-R1 is stronger than the FM based transmissions. The 2.9L M5OD has gear ratios of 3.72 / 2.20 / 1.50 / 1.00 / 0.79 where as the 4.0L equipped M5OD has these gears, 3.40 / 2.05 / 1.31 / 1.00 / 0.79. I would advise looking for a 2.9L based M5OD for the lower gears but they are going to be hard to find.

 

[eb89]

Alright, thanks. Sounds like the M50D would be the way to go if I can find one. I'll just keep my eyes open and hope for the best. Is there anything I can do to temporarily help out my dying transmission until I can come up with the funds for a new one? I don't know of anything but if anyone here does then that'd be great.

 

[The Fox]

What is wrong with it?
Nick

 

[eb89]

it slips out of gear quite often. so i have to watch my speedo and rpm's when accelerating (especially uphill) to make sure that I'm not just revving the engine. it doesn't help that I live in a pretty hilly place. It only slips in 3rd and up though so worst comes to worst i end up driving up most hills in 2nd because its safe for the time being.

 

[CknDnr]

Slipping? So it pops out of gear? It IS a manual 5 speed, right?Sounds more like a clutch to me.

 

[eb89]

It shifts fine. but when i head up hills, if i push down the gas too fast or too far, it will rev the engine and then itll drop back down to where it should be at when in that gear. it causes me to lose speed up hills pretty quickly obviously, but it still sucks on hills when i can keep it from doing that so i dunno.

 

[The Fox]

Let me make sure I understand you on this.
When you are going up hill in 3rd gear it will suddenly rev high? Is it physically popping out of gear when you reach for the shifter? It sounds like a clutch to me, if it is slipping when you put a load on it. Manuals don't sometimes work, they either do or the don't. How many miles are on this clutch? How do you drive, do you use the clutch a lot, or do you stay off it except for taking off and shifting? Most shops will charge around $400-500 for labor and parts to replace a clutch disc, slave, throwout bearing, pilot bearing, and pressure plate. The parts are going to be around $150-200 if you want to spend the 4 hours to do it yourself.
Nick

 

[eb89]

it doesn't actually pop out of gear and into neutral, it just revs up. Yeah your probably right, probably the clutch. Is there any way to tell for sure without taking everything off?

 

[philS]

Could be clutch-related, or the rear main is leaking, or somehow oil is working its way onto the friction surfaces. In any case, you will be pulling the transmission.

 

[eb89]

i stay off the clutch except when taking off and shifting. Once it starts to go, does it go quickly? because it seems to have gotten a lot worse in the past week or so. yeah i'm pretty sure the rear main seal is leaking that and the valve covers, I just haven't gotten around to cleanin my engine real good so i can tell for sure. Yeah i havent decided if im gonna go to a shop yet or not. do i have to replace the bearings slave and plate? does it depend on their condition or do those go out when the clutch does? either way i should probably go ahead and do that because who knows how old they are. its becoming quite apparent that the previous owner gave a rats ass about maintaining the truck.

 

[The Fox]

Once it starts to slip, it usually gets worse if you let it slip more. It does the same thing as trying to use the clutch to hold the truck on a slop instead of the brakes.
Nick

 

[IRKillroy]

you should look into a centerforce clutch.... it's a better quality clutch than a basic replacement with organic material... it'll probably outlast your truck.