need transmission advice.

[Zachalanche]

Hello I have an 89 ranger 4X4 with the2.9 and FM 146. Over the weekend it became randomly difficult to shift in and out of gear. I pulled the trans and found an excessive amount of play on the input shaft.

SO, I basically looking for the best bang for the buck on this repair.
-Is it worth it to fix the FM 146, I suspect its just a bad bearing, but everything else works flawlessly, and I think I caught this early enough that the nrest of the transmission shouldn't be damaged.
-Or am I better off upgrading to the mazda trans. which years and models fit my truck? and is the higher gearing going to be a problem with the lack of power my 2.9 has?

any advice is much appreciated.
thanks.

 

[adsm08]

Mazda trans is much better. Only the 4.0 version has the higher gearing. I ran the 4.0 trans behind my stock (worn out) 2.9L without issues. Just run it up to 60 before shifting into OD.

 

[Explorin94]

Where are you located? I have 2 transmissions that will work.

 

[Zachalanche]

Where are you located? I have 2 transmissions that will work.

84070.


Also does anyone know if there are any differences in the fit of the m5r1 over the fm146 I should beware of?

 

[adsm08]

84070.


Also does anyone know if there are any differences in the fit of the m5r1 over the fm146 I should beware of?

Search the tech library and submission sections. We have instructions for that.

 

[4x4junkie]

FM146 = M5OD as far as fitment goes, however you'll need the M5OD boot & floor bezel since the M5OD's shifter is a bit further forward.

Like was said, get a M5OD from another 2.9L truck and the gearing will be very similar to your FM146's gearing (actually slightly lessening the gap between 3rd & 4th gears on the 146). 4x4 versions of this trans are relatively rare though (only found in some '90 trucks from what I've seen), you could 'make' one by swapping the gearset from any 2.3 or 3.0L version of the trans into a 4.0L case however.

Make sure you don't have a clutch issue though. Hard shifting is usually caused by incomplete clutch disengagement (excess looseness in the shafts I think would cause it to pop out of gear).

 

[Zachalanche]

FM146 = M5OD as far as fitment goes, however you'll need the M5OD boot & floor bezel since the M5OD's shifter is a bit further forward.

Like was said, get a M5OD from another 2.9L truck and the gearing will be very similar to your FM146's gearing (actually slightly lessening the gap between 3rd & 4th gears on the 146). 4x4 versions of this trans are relatively rare though (only found in some '90 trucks from what I've seen), you could 'make' one by swapping the gearset from any 2.3 or 3.0L version of the trans into a 4.0L case however.

Make sure you don't have a clutch issue though. Hard shifting is usually caused by incomplete clutch disengagement (excess looseness in the shafts I think would cause it to pop out of gear).

I inititally thought it was the clutch, but the pedal feels right, and no ammount of pedal pumping or rpm matching would ease the gear changes when the problem was acting up. that may not totally rule out the clutch, but regardless there is definitely excessive end play on the input shaft.

I found a rebuilt m50d for a 2.9 for 650, but i do want to make sure I can find the right shift boot bezel, so it doesn't look like a complete hack job. from what I have been reading the m50d with manual T-case was somewhat of a rarity.

 

[Zachalanche]

I got a hold of a rebuilt m50d from a 2.9 truck, so, it has the gear ratios I want. only problem is it did not come with the neutral and reverse switches. looks like the ones on the old trans will thread in, but it doesn't look like there is anything to actuate them, is there some sort ofpin that I am missing?

 

[PlumCrazy]

Yep. There should be a little pin in there.

-PlumCrazy

 

[Zachalanche]

Yep. There should be a little pin in there.

-PlumCrazy

and I'm guesssing thats a junkyard part only

 

[PlumCrazy]

Most likely. Or you could get some 1/4" rod and cut to length. I could measure the ones fromy extra tranny if you want.

-PlumCrazy

 

[Zachalanche]

Most likely. Or you could get some 1/4" rod and cut to length. I could measure the ones fromy extra tranny if you want.

-PlumCrazy

that would be much appreciated if you could.
do the rods need to be hardend steel, I would worry about excessive wear if I made my own.
thanks.

 

[PlumCrazy]

Not really, they just push against a light spring behind the ball bearing in the switch.

-PlumCrazy

 

[Zachalanche]

Not really, they just push against a light spring behind the ball bearing in the switch.

-PlumCrazy

Well the junk yard was a bust, so it looks like I'll be making my own. On the bright side, I happen to have some leftover 1/4 rod in my garage. if you can get me a good measurement that would be awesome. otherwise I'll see if I can find a way to measure the depth on that hole.
thanks for the help.

 

[PlumCrazy]

The pin for the reverse light switch is 2 1/16" and the neutral safety pin is 1 11/16".

BTW ends are rounded too.

-PlumCrazy