Tranny Identification?

[ksmccloud]

I have an 87' Ranger w/ a 2.9L Manual w/ lockouts, can someone tell me what transmissions available will bolt up to my engine & work and/or how to tell which transmission I have in it for sure w/o removing it? Iwill need a clutch soon & figured it would be just as cheap to buy another whole transmission w/ a good clutch already in it. Any help would be great or if someone wants to help change that clutch, that would be OK too!

Kevin

 

[grnrngr]

Count the bolts on the bottom plate. 14 bolts holding an aluminum ribbed cover = Toyo-Kogyo 5 if it's a 5 speed (Mazda type), 12 bolts holding a steel pan with folded edge = FM-145 (Mitsubishi type)...doing this from memory guys..did I get it right? I'm gonna guess it's an FM145 just cuz when I was looking for my TK-5, the FM was all I could find, and I looked at a lot of mid 80s Rangers. Unfortunately, you can't go buy a new tranny with a new clutch already in it. The clutch disc is held by spring tension, between the pressure plate and the flywheel, which is attached to the back of the crankshaft in the motor. The input shaft of the transmission is splined (notched, so to speak), and slides thru the splined center of the clutch plate, locking them together so that the disc can slide on the shaft. As long as the spring tension holds the clutch disc against the flywheel, the disc spins the shaft. When you put your foot on the clutch pedal and push, the slave cylinder forces the throw-out bearing against the spring levers on the back of the pressure plate and the spring tension is removed from the clutch disc and the shaft is no longer spun by the power of the engine. So...long story short, clutches get replaced alot, transmissions only get changed when they break. Unfortunately, the FM145 isn't known for longevity, but if your's ain't broke yet...don't fix it. On the other hand, if you can find another good one for a decent price, it never hurts to have a spare. I had a heck of a time and spent a bunch of money to replace my TK-5, another trans not known for long life. As a point of reference, I think I paid about $245 for parts to replace my clutch and did the work myself, I paid $500 to the wrecking yard for a used trans that is almost as bad as the one that broke. Not only that, but it took 3 or 4 tries before I actually got the right one, because the FMs seem to be alot more prevalent. You can't buy a NEW trans that will fit it, they don't make them any more. Current prices for a rebuilt around here is about $1200. Add another $500 or so if your gonna have the shop change the clutch when you have the trans rebuilt. So, does your trans make any noises? How many miles? I'd love to help you swap the clutch but Missouri is a bit farther than I can afford to drive these days...and Welcome to the Boards!!

 

[Jorley]

Like grnrngr said the clutch isn't part of the tranny.
The TK5 is very hard to find. Took me 2 months to find one and it was bad. Had to take 2 bad ones to make 1 good one.
The best tranny for replacement is the M5od, but depending on which tranny you have, could involve moving the tranny crossmember and changing both driveshafts due to different lengths of trannys.
Here's a link to the Tech Library to help id yours.
http://www.therangerstation.com/tech_library/ManualTransmission.html

 

[ksmccloud]

Thanks

I don't need a tranny at all, I just saw a couple deals where either the whole truck was for sale or the the trans w/ clutch was for sale & thought it would be just as cheap to buy everything & keep all the extras around. The trans seems very smooth but the cluth is getting close to needing replaced as it doesn't engage until the top or just before it is all the way let out. No noticable slipping but I was advised not to pull anything until replacement. Thanks for all the information.

Kevin