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tranny ID


1987 DANGER RANGER

Well-Known Member
Joined
Oct 15, 2007
Messages
118
Age
41
City
Great Bend Kansas
Vehicle Year
1987
Transmission
Manual
I was given a M501 4x4 (1997) but I have no idea if its from a 3.0 or 4.0 how can you tell. The trans did not come with a shifter or any of the clutch parts how hard is it going to be to get the parts. This tranny is going to be used in a 87 4x4 4.0 swap.


Thanks in advance
 
the only way to tell is to compare bell housings....
 
Right one is a 3.0 tranny. Left one is a 4.0 tranny.


2923646_60_full.jpg
 
Since the left one is a 4.0 then I have a 4.0 so yea. Now what about the other problems such and he shifter and other parts.

P.S. thanks guys
 
Does it need to be a M501 from a 4.0 or can it be from a 2.3 or 3.0. For the shifter and boot that is. Not a %100 but when you buy a new clutch kit does it come with a new fork, if not could I rob the parts I need from my Fm145 set. Not a good I Idea but could I use the whole clutch set from the 2.9.
 
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no the M5OD uses a concentric slave set up that has no fork. I recommend you just get a whole new clutch and slave cylinder so you dont have to replace them again later.

for the shifter, the top cover, shift boot, the stick and all that stuff, you can get it from ANY M5OD-R1.
 
for the shifter, the top cover, shift boot, the stick and all that stuff, you can get it from ANY M5OD-R1.

Not exactly. Im not sure of the years (AllanD is though), but you need a top cover from around the same year as yours. This is usually by generation. (88-92...93-97...98-02...03-07)

Over the years, they have changed the way the shifter bolt goes in, and even the height of the shifter finger.
 
hypoteticly speaking could I use everything from my Fm145 including slave clyinder. By everything I mean clutch parts not shifter and boot. Plus could I use the 2.9 flywheel and starter
 
Last edited:
NO. Not only is it a waste of time, it wont fit. An FM146 slave will fit, but they are prone to leaking when removed and reinstalled.

Do yourself a favor, and go on and get a 4.0 clutch, and a new slave. You'll thank yourself later.

Putting that much work into a swap and trying to cut corners is not a good idea.
 
I know but I just spent $180.00 on a clutch for the Fm 145 and now I will have to spend $280.00 (M5OD)for the clutch plus the slave, starter and flywheel since I dont have one with the 4.0. Plus the 2.9 starter is less then a year old. Just trying to save a little money that I have already spent and will no longer need.
 
The FM145 slave is utterly useless. it simply will not fit.

the early "top port" slave used from '85-87 is what you had on the FM145.

the next slave is the "aluminum" slave cylinder used from '88-92

Then the "plastic" slave used '93-current.

the different slave cylinders each use a different and unique clutch line
'93-up uses a different (smaller bore diameter) master cylinder designed
to work with the "plastic" slave cylinders.

The "dry break" coupler on the '88-92 and the '93-up slave cylinders look similar
but they are NOT, REPEAT NOT compatible.

the 4.0 clutch is HUGE compared to the one used on a 2.9
the 2.9 clutch is quite simply "underdesigned" for the 2.9 it was fitted to.
To say it's grotesquely inadequate for a 4.0 would imply that you'd be trying
trying to run the 4.0 with two spark wires intentionally crossed.

The 4.0 makes more torque by 1200rpm than the 2.9 CAN make at it's peak,
so if you are doing a 4.0 swap a 4.0 clutch is simply MANDATORY, unless you want to smoke it intentinally.

as for the top cover the M5OD-R1 cover is the same from 1988-93.
the 1994 top cover is approximatly 10mm taller (and uses a longer "finger")
at the shift tower. the 1993-up top cover is not drilled for the Neutral sense switch.

You also have little or no choice on the 4.0 flywheel and starter.

AD
 
First off thanks everyone. So I need a whole new clutch ass, slave clyinder (1 for a 97 M5) flywheel, starter, a shifter from any M5 and a top plate from a 93-up M5.
 

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