Mazda M50D-R1 Question

[drivenyam]

I have a Mazda M50D-R1 out of '94 the is setup for 2wd. It was recently rebuilt and has a new clutch etc. I have 1998 with the Mazda M50D-R1, but it is 4wd. I am having some weird noises and vibrations and I know the '94 tranny is solid, can they be swapped? I have looked and it appears to me that all I need to do is swap the tail sections. Has anyone done this? Any advice? Please help me out. This is my sons first vehicle and I want to try to swap this out soon before he has issues out on the road. Thank you in advance.

 

[rusty ol ranger]

As long as the two trucks share the same engine it shouldnt be an issue.

The 2.3, 3.0, and 4.0 all use different bellhousings.

 

[drivenyam]

Thank you

 

[Snoranger]

No it won't. The tailshaft is different between 2wd and 4wd.
You have to disassemble both and swap the main shaft from the 4wd into the 2wd case.

 

[Josh B]

I had the same mis-assumption sir, and after acquiring a 2wd was faced with the same realization.
You cannot simply swap the extensions, because the output shafts are different lengths.
However, the other parts are all identical, and with the means and the expertise you can tear them both completely down and reassemble one good tranny using the proper output shaft, which of itself is a lesson on futility as it would be best to simply rebuild the one using new parts

 

[drivenyam]

Lol.....thank you guys. I knew it couldn't just be simple for me. Lol.

 

[Josh B]

haha, yes, I do know that feeling