Possible to replace Mazda trans with ??

[macx]

The saga continues with the 93 2.3 5 speed I bought a few weeks ago.
Incredible amount of neglect with the expected resulting problems.
And if that isn't enuf, so much was tinkered with by someone who
obviously is a total moron around vehicles and just succeeded in
damaging things more than fixing anything.

Anyway, I changed trans fluid tonite and even the drain plug had the
threads crossed! I was lucky to get it tight enuf to seal. I had thought
of rebuilding it - have done quite a few manuals and auto's in my years
of hot rodding, but you wouldn't believe the chunks I found stuck to
the drain magnet! And the "fluid" that came out of it looked like it had
glitter dumped into it. I don't think that trans is long for this world.
Just hope it lasts into the summer when I can ride my bike regularly.

And I'm working away from home - 1700 miles worth - so don't have
near all my tools and equipment either, so rebuilding isn't looking so
good right now.

Was sort of wondering if there are any other 5 speeds that will bolt up to
the 2.3 engine - like something out of a Mustang for instance. I've found that
the T-5 was used from late 80's up into the 90's behind the turbo 4 2.3 engines
in the mustang and t-birds. Any idea if something like that would bolt to
the Ranger 2.3 engine?

I can handle or can hire some minor stuff like X-member / mount mods and driveshaft
issues and of course would expect to need a diff clutch disc. Just put a
new clutch in it when I had the trans out to seal a bad oil leak at the rear
of the engine at the pan under the rear main.

Either that, or where can I get a reasonably priced and reliable rebuilt?

Or are any newer Ranger / Explorer type trans that are maybe a little more
durable possible to use in my 93?

Thanks!

 

[Sunk]

The 2.3s are the same, so the T-5 will bolt up. You may have drive shaft or cross-member issues, I don't know off hand.

 

[scotts90ranger]

I've driven an S10 with a T5 and wasn't impressed with it's shifting, I can shift my Ranger and Explorer faster than that T5 would, I have a friend that works with tranny's every day doesn't like them either... That said, it's doable but the shifter ends up like 6" further back from what I hear, and the clutch pedal would have to be reworked

Having put about 130K on M5OD's, I like them, went through 3 clutches on my truck (4 cylinder 4x4, clutch slippage is required sometimes with 4.10's and 31" tires) with no issues, the tranny in my truck right now had 175K on it when I got that chassis, I put ~30K on it before I put the turbo engine in and probably another 20K since the turbo engine and it's doing just fine, and now I have a centerforce clutch that bites hard

 

[macx]

I thought so, but one never knows - -

Just found an interresting chart on T-5's that lists years, applications,
motors, ratios, and torque capacity.

The T-5 -209 version was used in 92 & 93 Mustangs with the 2.3, and
has 240 torque capacity.

Most T-5's have a 3.35 or higher 1st gear, but this one has a 3.97 1st,
even a little deeper than the 3.72 Mazda trans. It has the same 0.79
OD ratio, and 2-3-4 are spaced just a tad farther apart than the Mazda.

I'd sure love to see if one of those could be swapped in, even if it took
some rear mount and driveshaft tweaking. Trouble is, a good or rebuilt
one would cost just as much as the Mazda trans, and they weren't
reknown for their longevity either, so really no gain and probly more
work than it would be worth.

BUT - there must be trans from newer Rangers that would work?
Maybe even from behind a small V-6?

Rebuilts for mine seem to go $700 up to around $1k or so.
Lots of $ to stick in that old of a truck that probly wouldn't
sell for more than $2500.

Any reliable source for good used ones? Without umpteen
hundred k miles.

Thanks!

 

[Sunk]

The Mazda trans is probably the most common manual trans in Rangers, especially the newer ones. A V6 trans won't bolt to the 2.3, they have a different bolt pattern.

 

[Captain Ledd]

The Mazda trans is probably the most common manual trans in Rangers, especially the newer ones. A V6 trans won't bolt to the 2.3, they have a different bolt pattern.

Yup.

Only another transmission from a 2.3L will bolt up, until 2000. There's some others that will too, but they're not as strong as the M5OD-R1.

2001 and newer 4 cylinders are Duratech engines, and have a different pattern again. Despite being the same displacement.

Scrounge the junk yards and find one that's not caked in grime, and/or looks as if the truck might have been well cared for at some point. Cheapest, easiest option.

Under normal conditions they last a long time, especially behind 4 bangers. The only reason this one failed is because somebody screwed with it, it didn't die a natural death, it was murdered.

 

[Ozwynn]

Why can't it be rebuilt with 4.0L guts?

 

[RangerSVT]

4.0L guts use different gear ratios, and not in the 2.3L's favor...I have a M5 from a 2.3L 2wd unit for sale from my 96 ranger, but not sure how much shipping would be and I'm not near the house (like you, about 2k miles away) to send it anyways....
SVT

 

[Ranger Sport Honduras]

Any 89-00 4 cyl Ranger transmission will fit.
thats 89-97 2.3 and 98-00 2.5

I know that because i just swapped a 90s 2.3 trans into my 99 2.5

 

[Explorin94]

Why can't it be rebuilt with 4.0L guts?

The 3.0 guts would be a better option that the 2.3.

 

[RangerSVT]

From the sounds of things, he needs another case too....
SVT

 

[Earl43P]

Make sure your replacement trans has the drive gear port for your speedometer cable.
The newer ones don't have it although I can't tell you what year is the cut-off (I suspect it is 97). http://www.therangerstation.com/forums/showthread.php?t=18170

 

[macx]

The Mazda trans is probably the most common manual trans in Rangers, especially the newer ones. A V6 trans won't bolt to the 2.3, they have a different bolt pattern.

Yes, some more research finally revealed that. Shame that the V6 units won't bolt up, that would broaden the field quite a bit.

I found a chart that says The 90-97 Ranger 4 cyl trans are the same, so one of those would be a straight bolt in. Also the Mazda B-2300 94-97. And I of course failed to write it down, but an earlier Ranger 4 cyl 5 speed is the same except for the slave cyl.

Mine only has 75k on it and it's toast. But that could be from the abuse and neglect of the previous owner - judging by the rest of the poor truck. Everything that moron touched is screwed up somehow.

Was surprised - Craig's List in Vegas actually has a couple of those advertised, I've got replies sent in. If I can find a decent one I'm going to
buy it and change it over an upcoming holiday weekend - don't need the trans to give out half way to work at 5:00am 40 miles out of town.

 

[macx]

Yup.

Only another transmission from a 2.3L will bolt up, until 2000. There's some others that will too, but they're not as strong as the M5OD-R1.

2001 and newer 4 cylinders are Duratech engines, and have a different pattern again. Despite being the same displacement. (Ford is good for that, aren't they?)

Scrounge the junk yards and find one that's not caked in grime, and/or looks as if the truck might have been well cared for at some point. Cheapest, easiest option.

Under normal conditions they last a long time, especially behind 4 bangers. The only reason this one failed is because somebody screwed with it, it didn't die a natural death, it was murdered.

Murdered? More like butchered. Even the dust cover on the shifter tower was smashed, and some kind of non-matching threaded rod was forced into the bottom of the shift lever to attach it, couldn't get that out. And all the holes in the rubber boots were torn like somebody just ripped it out without undoing the screws, even! People like that ought to be slapped every morning before they get out of bed.

But thanks for the condolences.

From what I've read, I see more and more folks say they are a reasonably durable trans so one from a 4 cyl should last quite awhile esp under normal driving situations. I just hate to spend $300 - $700 for something that's already got 100k+ on it. At least that's what I've found for prices so far.

Thanks for all the info / feedback, etc. Now at least I know what to look for.

 

[Sunk]

Yes, some more research finally revealed that. Shame that the V6 units won't bolt up, that would broaden the field quite a bit.

I found a chart that says The 90-97 Ranger 4 cyl trans are the same, so one of those would be a straight bolt in. Also the Mazda B-2300 94-97. And I of course failed to write it down, but an earlier Ranger 4 cyl 5 speed is the same except for the slave cyl.

Mine only has 75k on it and it's toast. But that could be from the abuse and neglect of the previous owner - judging by the rest of the poor truck. Everything that moron touched is screwed up somehow.

Was surprised - Craig's List in Vegas actually has a couple of those advertised, I've got replies sent in. If I can find a decent one I'm going to
buy it and change it over an upcoming holiday weekend - don't need the trans to give out half way to work at 5:00am 40 miles out of town.

Anything through to 2000 as RSH said. In 98 the 2.3 was replaced by the 2.5, but externally they are the same. The 2.5 is simply stroked.