swap 1st gen shifter stick with 2nd?

[Z3CHYD]

Hey guys. I'm getting an 86 Ranger shortly, 2.9l 5-speed and I was wondering, are the shifters interchangeable between 1st and 2nd gen rangers? I don't like the curved shifter and would prefer the straight shifter from an 88-on. I wasn't sure if anyone has done this or not but would like to know, thanks

 

[rusty70f100]

IIRC, the curved shifter goes with the Mitsubishi transmissions (FM145 / FM146), and the straight one goes with the Mazda (M5OD-R1).

The shifters are not interchangeable, from what I've seen. I think there were some other transmission offered at the time though.

 

[Z3CHYD]

IIRC, the curved shifter goes with the Mitsubishi transmissions (FM145 / FM146), and the straight one goes with the Mazda (M5OD-R1).

The shifters are not interchangeable, from what I've seen. I think there were some other transmission offered at the time though.

aw poo. thats what i was afraid of. oh well I can mod the shifter that it has to my liking I'm most likely getting it tonight

 

[Vanner1993]

They are not interchangeable. I pulled one from a 90 because I like how it is straight. The newer 5 speed has 4 torx bits in a circle pattern to hold it in. The older 5 speed (mine being an 86) has 4 10mm bolts in a square pattern and does not even look near the same. I'm bummed too.

 

[Mutant Pony]

I took the shifter out of my TK5, straightened it in my 20ton press, cut it down shorter, reknurled the top.
Sitting comfortably in the aftermarket bucket seat I don't have to lean forward to hit first or fifth. It works amazingly well. The down side is that it is still a TK5 trans and the shifter base wears out pretty quickly. The Mitsu trans had a similar shifter with the same problem.
The mazda trans (M50D R1) has a much better shifter, there is a Hurst shifter available for it, and gives you the ability to install the larger 4.0 clutch. Much better idea!!

 

[Hahnsb2]

IIRC, the curved shifter goes with the Mitsubishi transmissions (FM145 / FM146), and the straight one goes with the Mazda (M5OD-R1).

The TK and FM145 have curved shifters with short boots, the FM146 and M5OD have straight shifters with full length boots.

I do not like the curved shifter either, if you have any mechanical skills and some tools it isn't a big deal to straighten it out like Mutant Pony did.

 

[Z3CHYD]

I took the shifter out of my TK5, straightened it in my 20ton press, cut it down shorter, reknurled the top.
Sitting comfortably in the aftermarket bucket seat I don't have to lean forward to hit first or fifth. It works amazingly well. The down side is that it is still a TK5 trans and the shifter base wears out pretty quickly. The Mitsu trans had a similar shifter with the same problem.
The mazda trans (M50D R1) has a much better shifter, there is a Hurst shifter available for it, and gives you the ability to install the larger 4.0 clutch. Much better idea!!

lol yea, my first 86 4x4 Ranger's shifter was incredibly worn out, it still shifted fine, but when in any gear you could wiggle it like it was in neutral lol